India is moving more seafarer services to its new online portal, e-Samudra. From Monday, 26 October 2026, seafarers apply there for every type of CDC. They also apply there for the cook's Certificate of Competency (CoC).
The CDC, or Continuous Discharge Certificate, is the Indian seaman's book. It records a seafarer's sea service and is needed to join a ship. The new rule is in DGMA Circular 71 of 2026, dated 22 October. DGMA is the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, India's maritime authority, earlier called DG Shipping.
What changes
Since 2 October 2026, new seafarers apply for their first CDC on e-Samudra. Crewboard reported on this change on 22 October. Now the other CDC services move too.
CDC, all types: fresh, replacement, duplicate and renewal applications go through e-Samudra.
Cook's CoC: applications for a new or a duplicate cook's certificate go through e-Samudra.
No old booklet needed: if you apply for a replacement CDC booklet on e-Samudra, you no longer have to hand in your old booklet.
The portal address is esamudra.dgshipping.gov.in.
Shipping companies and RPS agencies can check a seafarer's CDC with the CDC Checker tool on the DGMA website. An RPS agency is a licensed crewing agency in India (Recruitment and Placement Service).
If you already applied
Did you already send a CDC or cook CoC application through the old e-Governance portal? Then you do not need to apply again on e-Samudra. DGMA says it will process your application in the normal way.
What to do now
Need to renew or replace your CDC soon? From 26 October, log in to e-Samudra and apply there.
Use only the official portal address above. Do not pay agents who promise a faster CDC.
Keep copies of your CDC and other documents in case you need them while your new booklet is being made.
For help with e-Samudra, write to dgs.support@gov.in or call +91-7965804875. These contacts are in the DGMA circular.
Cover photo: The small Indian cargo ship Rajeshree in the port of Visakhapatnam, India, in November 2020. Illustrative photo. Photo: iMahesh/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped).
Sources: DGMA Circular 71 of 2026: Migration of services for issuance of CDC (all categories) and CoC as Cook (New/Duplicate) on e-Samudra Portal (22 Oct 2026, PDF), DGMA: list of DGS circulars, 2026.
