India DG Shipping 2nd Mate Exam Prep

India DG Shipping 2nd Mate (Foreign Going) MMD — Complete Exam Guide

The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping, DG-IN) 2nd Mate (Foreign Going) Certificate of Competency is the entry-level Indian flag-state deck-officer licence authorising the holder to stand a navigational watch on ships of any gross tonnage on any voyage. It is issued by the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) — regional offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, Jamnagar, Haldia, Tuticorin and Goa — under the authority of the *Merchant Shipping Act, 1958* and the *Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Rules, 2014*.

The 2nd Mate FG CoC sits at STCW Regulation II/1 (operational level) and is the Indian analogue of the UK MCA OOW Unlimited. Candidates are typically DG-approved Trainee Nautical Officers who have completed a 3-year B.Sc. Nautical Science from the Indian Maritime University (IMU) or a DG-approved institute, followed by 18 months sea service under the DG Shipping Training & Research Book (TAR Book) regime.

Exam structure

Exams are administered under the DG Shipping Examination Circular series (most recently DGS Order 04 of 2019 and DGS Circular 03 of 2022 "Amendments to the MMD examination structure"). The current format is Function-wise, not subject-wise — questions are grouped under the seven STCW Functions rather than by traditional subject silos.

- Function 1A — Navigation at the Operational Level (Part 1: Terrestrial & Celestial; Part 2: Electronic)

- Function 2 — Cargo Handling & Stowage

- Function 3 — Controlling the Operation of the Ship (Stability, Ship Construction, Environmental Protection)

- Function 4 — Navigational Aids & Equipment (Meteorology, Navaids, Communication)

- Function 5/6/7 — Marine Engineering / Electrical / Radio Communications (elements relevant to deck)

- Pass mark 50 percent per paper, average 60 percent to pass overall under DGS Circular 03/2022.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Minimum 18 months approved sea service as a Deck Cadet with a signed DG TAR Book, valid DG Shipping Seafarer Medical (DG Approved Doctor), INDOS number, CDC, and completion of all pre-sea and modular STCW courses from a DG-approved MTI. Candidates sit DG Shipping entrance pre-sea (IMU-CET) and must hold English competence at SMCP level.

Study timeline

Most candidates budget 3–6 months of full-time shore study at a DG-approved MTI after sea time. Dedicated 2nd Mate preparation courses (Anglo Eastern, Fleet Kochi, TS Chanakya, LBS CAMSAR, HIMT Chennai) run 12–16 weeks with heavy emphasis on the Function-wise oral simulation.

What examiners look for

DG Shipping Nautical Surveyors emphasize depth over breadth. The Function-wise oral format means the Surveyor can dwell on one Function for 40 minutes, drilling into first-principles reasoning. Expect questions on Indian coastal passage planning (Mumbai to Singapore via the Malacca Strait), the *India Routing and Reporting System (INDSAR)*, the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour) Rules 2016, MARPOL Annex I implementation under the *Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Oil) Rules 2010*, and the *Indian Ports Act, 1908* as it affects pilotage.

Common pitfalls

The biggest weakness among DG-IN candidates is celestial navigation proficiency — the Function 1 oral invariably includes a sight-reduction problem using *Nautical Almanac* and sight-reduction tables (NP 401 or Pub 229), often under time pressure. Many candidates rehearse electronic chart work fluently but fumble a morning star-fix. Other recurring issues: shallow grasp of stability hydrostatics (KG, GM, list and heel problems), inability to explain the IG System on a VLCC, weak IALA-B/IALA-A distinction (Indian waters are IALA-A), and poor familiarity with the *India Maritime Pilot*. DG-IN examiners particularly probe the *Merchant Shipping (Safe Manning, Hours of Rest etc.) Rules 2000*.

Relationship to IMO / STCW

DG-IN 2nd Mate FG is India's implementation of STCW Regulation II/1 and Section A-II/1, as amended by the 2010 Manila Amendments and incorporated into Indian law by the *MS-STCW Rules 2014*. The CoC is STCW-endorsed under Regulation I/2. India is on the IMO White List.

Study strategy using MMCE.app

MMCE.app's 283-question DG-IN 2nd Mate set covers nav-gen, nav-prob, rules, deck-gen, deck-safe. Our pass thresholds are slightly lower (60 percent / 60 percent) to match DG-IN's averaging scheme. The Claude tutor cites DGS Circulars, MS-STCW Rules 2014, and the relevant COLREGS rule on every miss. Scenario drills replicate the Function-wise oral format with a simulated DG Nautical Surveyor persona.

Useful publications

Reciprocity

DG-IN 2nd Mate FG CoCs are highly portable. India is a signatory to recognition arrangements with Singapore, RMI, Liberia, Hong Kong, Panama, and most FOC (Flag-of-Convenience) flag states. UK MCA recognises Indian CoCs under the CEC process, as does AMSA. Indian officers crew a substantial fraction of the global merchant fleet, and the 2nd Mate FG is among the most internationally portable junior-officer credentials.