What is an INDoS Number? Meaning, Format and Why Seafarers Need It

INDoS stands for ‘Indian National Database of Seafarers’. It is a personal identification number for Indian seafarers, stored in the national seafarer database. It includes all the information about a seafarer, such as his/her name, address, photograph, signature, contact number, qualifications, etc.

The INDoS number is issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) and comprises of 8 alphanumeric characters. It is run by the INDoS cell of DG Shipping’s Maritime Training Trust.

Why INDoS Number Exists? 

Many people assume the INDoS number is required by STCW or any other convention; however, that is not the case.

STCW requires that the countries that recognise other states’ certificates for service on their ships must authenticate and check the genuineness of these certificates. Countries that issue certificates need a way for employers and other authorities to confirm them. INDoS number is a unique number provided by India to its seafarers to solve this problem. Any employer or port state officer can use this number to check the seafarer certificate against DG Shipping’s records instead of trusting a paper copy.

The data is collected and stored in a single place and can be retrieved through this number to make it easily accessible to statutory authorities.

What Information INDoS Database Holds? 

The INDoS database holds records which includes: name, date of birth, passport details, address, photograph and signature. They also include qualifications and certificates issued to the seafarer. All seafarers undergoing training and certification in India, along with foreign nationals who train at approved institutes, are provided with this number.

What INDoS Number Doesn’t Stand For? 

INDoS is not a certificate. The number is not a replacement for the CDC or the COC. It also doesn’t hold information about the courses taken by a seafarer or the rank he or she holds.

Who needs an INDoS Number?

Any person who wants to take a DG Shipping-approved course requires the INDoS number. Seafarers without INDoS number are not eligible for such approved courses.

How Can A First- Timer Get An INDoS Number?

A first-timer cannot directly apply for an INDoS number. It is generated through a DG Shipping-approved maritime training institute (MTI) after the candidate has sumitted original documents in person. The institute checks the papers and submits the application, and DG Shipping emails the number to the candidate.

Cadets who enter pre-sea training through the IMU CET get their number the same way, through the institute they join. Seafarers with Indian certificates who have never received a number can apply through DG Shipping’s website instead of an institute.

Fees and processing times for the INDoS are fixed by DG Shipping and change from time to time. It is important to check the current details with the institute or on the DG Shipping website.

Why Is It Important To Keep INDoS Records Correct? 

It is important that the information in INDoS records doesn’t have a mistake, as many other important documents are dependent on it. For e.g the biometric seafarer identity document (BSID) captures its details from the CDC and INDoS records. DG Shipping advises fixing errors in the INDoS profile before applying for one.

Seafarers can update some fields such as current address, mobile number and email address themselves. Changes to a first name, surname or permanent address go through a correction request in the seafarer’s profile.

INDoS, CDC, COC and BSID

Four documents come up together in a seafarer’s career, and they do different jobs.

Benefits of an INDoS Number

Issuing an identification number for each seafarer in India reflects the increasing use of technology in the Indian maritime industry.

The INDoS number not only simplifies processes by making all seafarer information available with a single click, but also provides a valuable database of all qualified seafarers based in or working from India.

This number is issued to every seafarer, and it helps in checking his/her information and identity. Using it, any firm or government can easily do a background check on any seafarer’s qualifications and claims.

For this, the INDoS number checker comes as a handy tool for cross-reference with a government’s centralised database.

Courses which are not approved by the Indian Government, apart from GMDSS are not included in INDoS data. However, the new regulation instructs institutions to upload GOC data on the Directorate General of Shipping website which requires an INDoS number.

The INDoS number can be used to verify whether a seafarer’s information and qualifications are genuine and to prevent the fraudulent issuance of certificates.

Procedure to obtain INDoS Number

Possessing an INDoS number is compulsory for all existing and new seafarers. A DG Approved Maritime Training Institute (MTI) applies for this number online, for pre-sea cadets on their behalf.

However, all the present seafarers can apply by themselves. In case you lose the INDoS Number Certificate, you can get a duplicate one after you pay a fee.

Documents Needed to Apply for INDoS Number

• A Valid Passport
• A 10th Class Pass Certificate/Marksheet from a Recognised Board.

Procedure to get Admission into a Maritime Training Institute

• As mentioned above, the candidate needs a passport and a 10th-class mark sheet to apply to an MTI.
• There is no registration fee for applying to a Maritime Training Institute.
• After registration for admission into the institute, the candidate will get a Reference Number which should be retained for future reference.
• The candidate should apply to an MTI; if he/she is unable to secure admission within this period, he/she can register again and will be given a new Reference Number.
• After securing admission, the MTI will apply for the candidate’s INDoS number on his/her behalf which will be generated after all documents have been verified.

NOTE: The candidate has to be present at the MTI with all original documents for the verification process to get the INDoS number.

Process for checking the status of INDoS Number

If you apply for the INDoS number or make a correction in your profile, you might want to see the status of your application.

1. Open the DG Shipping Website.

2. Choose the ‘INDoS’ option from the drop-down menu under the ‘Search for’ tab.

3. Enter your INDoS Number and Date of Birth.

4. Click on the Search Button and all information related to your INDoS number will come.

5. Contact the nearest MMD for any corrections.

GMDSS, COP-DC Endorsement, CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate), and Passport Details can also be checked on the DG Shipping Website.

Recovering Lost INDoS Number/Certificate

If you misplace or lose your INDoS Certificate, follow the steps mentioned below.

1. Open the DG Shipping website.

2. Click the ‘E-Governance’ Tab below the DG Shipping Header. From the drop-down menu, choose ‘E-Governance’.

3. Log in with your User ID and Password. If you don’t have an account, click on New User and make an account.

4. After you are logged into your profile, choose the ‘Examination’ option under the seafarer header.

5. Choose the ‘Click to View and Print INDoS Certificate (Issued Online)’ option.

6. Your INDoS Certificate will be displayed on the screen and you can save it.

7. In case you see a blank page, which can happen, try again after some time. If you are still unable to get the certificate, you can reach out to the DG Shipping Helpline or the Contact Us Page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the INDoS number the same as the CDC number? No. The INDoS number comes first, is issued once and stays with the seafarer. The CDC is a separate document with its own number, and a seafarer may need to renew or replace it.

Does the INDoS number expire? DG Shipping describes it as a one-time process with lifetime validity.

Can foreign nationals get one? Foreign nationals who train at DG Shipping-approved institutes in India can obtain a number. DG Shipping lists a separate fee category for them.

You may also like to read-

• What is a Continuous Discharge Certificate or CDC?
• What is the Purpose of DG Shipping?
• How to get a GMDSS Endorsement Certificate?
• How to Get Dangerous Cargo Endorsement Certificate?