DG Shipping STCW Certificate Download PDF (2026 Steps)

Every Indian mariner knows the feeling: you have spent days attending an intensive STCW modular course—whether it is Basic Safety Training (PST, PSSR, EFA, FPFF), Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF), Medical First Aid (MFA), or tanker specialization courses like GASCO, CHEMCO, or OCTCO—and successfully cleared the 30-question online DG Shipping exit exam.

The immediate next priority before reporting to your crewing manager or joining ship is obtaining your official STCW Course Completion Certificate in PDF format.

Historically, finding and downloading certificate PDFs through the legacy e-Governance portal could be cumbersome due to server slowdowns, session timeouts, and confusing submenus. Today, seafarers can verify their profile and download certificates using both the official government portal and streamlined tools such as INDoS Checker.

Here is the complete, step-by-step breakdown of how to download your DG Shipping STCW course certificate PDF online.

The STCW Certification Workflow: From Classroom to PDF

Understanding how your certificate gets generated helps identify why a certificate might not be immediately visible right after hitting “Submit” on your exit exam:

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   DG SHIPPING STCW CERTIFICATION PIPELINE              │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. Course Attendance   ──▶ Biometric Attendance (minimum 90-100%)      │
│ 2. Institute Assessment──▶ Practical drills & internal written test    │
│ 3. DGS Exit Exam       ──▶ 30 MCQ test on DGS portal (50%+ pass mark)  │
│ 4. Batch Submission    ──▶ Training Institute uploads passing roster   │
│ 5. Certificate Issuance──▶ DGS master database generates digital PDF   │
│ 6. Seafarer Download   ──▶ Verified download via DGS Portal / INDoS    │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

How to Download DG Shipping STCW Certificate PDF Online (2 Methods)

You have two reliable methods to access and download your official certificate PDF:

Method 1: Official DG Shipping e-Governance Portal (dgshipping.gov.in)

Use this method if you need to access your complete seafarer profile, verify personal documents, or inspect master e-Governance records:

1. Visit the DG Shipping Official Website:
   Open your browser and navigate to dgshipping.gov.in.

2. Access the e-Governance System:
   In the top menu bar, click on E-Governance and then select e-Governance from the drop-down. This opens the secure seafarer e-Samudra login gateway.

3. Log in with Your Seafarer Credentials:

   • User ID: Enter your official INDoS Number (e.g., 08NL1234 or 14EL5678).
   • Password: Enter your registered profile password.

4. Navigate to Modular Course Records:
   From the main Seafarer Profile dashboard:

   • Click on Update Seafarer Profile / Documents (or Master Checker / Certificate Details).
   • Select the STCW / Modular Courses tab.

5. Locate and Download Your Certificate PDF:
   You will see a tabular list of all completed courses with institute name, issue date, and certificate numbers.

   • Click on the Download or Certificate PDF icon next to the relevant course.
   • The digitally signed PDF will open or download to your device. (Note: If nothing happens when clicking download, check your browser’s pop-up blocker settings below).

Method 2: Fast 1-Click Download via INDoS Checker (indoschecker.com)

If the government server is slow, or if you do not remember your e-Governance portal password, you can download your certificate directly via INDoS Checker:

1. Visit INDoS Checker:
   Open indoschecker.com on your desktop or mobile browser.

2. Enter Your Maritime Credentials:

   • Enter your INDoS Number (e.g., 08NL1234).
   • Enter your Date of Birth matching your passport and CDC records.

3. Verify Course Records:
   The system queries the central DG Shipping database and displays all verified STCW modular courses, refresher programs, and competency endorsements linked to your profile.

4. Download the PDF:
   Click the Download Certificate button next to your desired course. The official, digitally signed PDF containing the DGS QR code will download straight to your device.

Troubleshooting STCW Certificate PDF Downloads

When downloading maritime certificate PDFs, candidates frequently run into technical hurdles. Here is how to resolve the most common issues:

1. Download Button Clicked But Nothing Happens (Pop-Up Blocked)

The DG Shipping e-Governance server generates PDF certificates inside browser pop-up windows (window.open). Most modern mobile and desktop browsers block pop-ups by default:

• Google Chrome (Desktop): Look at the right side of the address bar for the red pop-up blocked icon. Click it and select “Always allow pop-ups and redirects from https://www.dgshipping.gov.in”, then click Download again.
• Chrome / Safari (Mobile): Go to browser Settings → Content Settings → Pop-ups → Allow. Alternatively, request “Desktop Site” in Chrome for improved compatibility.

2. Digital Signature Shows “Validity Unknown” (Yellow Question Mark)

Official DG Shipping certificates are cryptographically signed using Government of India digital certificates. When opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader, the signature may initially display a yellow question mark:

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader (desktop).
2. Right-click on the digital signature stamp and select Signature Properties.
3. Click on Show Signer’s Certificate.
4. Navigate to the Trust tab and click Add to Trusted Certificates.
5. Check the box for Certified documents and click OK.
6. Close and reopen the PDF. The yellow question mark will turn into a verified Green Checkmark (“Signature Valid”).

3. Is the STCW Certificate PDF Password Protected?

No. Official DG Shipping STCW modular course completion certificates are not password protected. Unlike Indian e-Aadhaar PDFs, you do not need to enter your name, DOB, or INDoS number to open the file. If a file prompts for a password, verify you downloaded it directly from dgshipping.gov.in or indoschecker.com.

4. Certificate Status Shows “Not Generated” or “Record Not Found”

If you passed your exit exam but your certificate does not appear after 48 hours:

• Check whether your biometric attendance was logged at 100% during classroom days.
• Contact your Maritime Training Institute (MTI) to confirm they have submitted the batch closure report on the DGS portal.
• Verify that your name and Date of Birth on your course enrollment match your master INDoS profile.

Which STCW Certificates Can You Check and Download?

The online database maintains records for all mandatory IMO STCW convention courses approved by the Directorate General of Shipping, including:

1. Basic Safety Training (BST) Modular Courses

• EFA: Elementary First Aid
• FPFF: Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
• PST: Personal Survival Techniques
• PSSR: Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
• STSDSD: Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties

2. Advanced Safety & Medical Courses

• AFF: Advanced Fire Fighting
• PSCRB: Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats
• MFA: Medical First Aid
• MC: Medical Care
• BRM / ERM: Bridge and Engine Room Resource Management

3. Tanker Specialization & Cargo Courses

• OCTCO / OCTF: Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations
• GASCO / LGTCO: Basic Gas Tanker Cargo Operations
• TASCO: Advanced Training for Oil Tanker Operations
• CHEMCO: Advanced Training for Chemical Tanker Operations
• AIGF / BIGF: Basic and Advanced IGF Code Training (Low Flashpoint Fuels)

4. STCW Refresher Courses

• Refresher PST, FPFF, AFF, and PSCRB required every 5 years for active Certificate of Competency (CoC) revalidation.

Why Online Digital Certificates are Legally Binding

All STCW certificates issued through the DG Shipping digital infrastructure feature:

• A unique certificate identification number.
• High-resolution encrypted QR Code that enables instant verification by shipowners, vetting inspectors, port state authorities, and maritime administrations worldwide.
• Cryptographic digital signatures confirming issuance under the authority of the Government of India.

To verify your records and download your certificates anytime, bookmark indoschecker.com.

If you are preparing for upcoming modular or refresher exams, make sure to practice updated question banks right here on BrightMariner’s STCW Exit Exam MCQ Practice Room.