INDoS Checker: What Every Aspiring Seafarer Needs to Know

Here’s a complete guide to the INDoS system for Indian seafarers. Learn what your INDoS number is, how to use the official checker, find your credentials, and manage your maritime career profile.

Imaging that you’re at a major international port, and ready to board your first ship. Then, an immigration officer or your new captain asks you to verify your seafarer credentials. In that moment, your entire career hinges on one unique identifier: your INDoS Number.

For every Indian seafarer, this number is far more than a formality—it’s the verified foundation of your professional life at sea. In this article, we walk through what this number means, why it matters, and how the INDoS Checker tool helps you and your future employers.

Understanding Your INDoS Number: Your Maritime Identity

So, what exactly is an INDoS number? The acronym stands for the Indian National Database of Seafarers. In simple terms, think of it as your official, lifelong maritime ID, similar to an Aadhaar number for the shipping industry.

Basically, it’s an 8-character alphanumeric code (like 22NM1234) issued by India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS).

Its core purpose is to maintain a single, trusted source of truth. This centralized database holds your verified details—your name, photograph, qualifications, and all your certificates. This system was created to solve a serious problem: the use of fake certificates by people falsely claiming to be seafarers.

Such fraud hurts the industry’s integrity and takes opportunities away from genuine candidates like you.

By law, your INDoS number permanently links to all your key documents. This includes your Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), your Certificates of Competency (CoC), and every STCW training certificate you earn.

For any authority—be it a port official, an employer, or a flag state inspector—this number provides instant access to confirm your credentials against the government’s official records.

What Information Your INDoS Number Reveals?

Your INDoS number isn’t a random string of characters. Its structure tells a story about your career, and knowing it helps you verify your own information.

So, let’s break it down:

• The First Two Digits (e.g., “22”): These represent the year your number was issued.
• The Next Two Characters (e.g., “NM”): These are category codes that indicate your department and rank at the time of issuance.
• The Last Four Digits (e.g., “1234”): This is your unique personal identifier within your category for that year.

The middle codes are the most telling, as they immediately show your professional track. Here’s a quick guide to what they mean:

Therefore, a number beginning with “18NM” identifies a Nautical Officer who entered the system in 2018. This smart coding allows for quick, at-a-glance verification of your professional category.

The INDoS Checker: A Public Tool for Trust and Transparency

Now, this brings us to the INDoS Checker—the practical, public-facing tool that puts this database to work. It’s a free portal on the official DG Shipping website, and it’s the primary way anyone can verify a seafarer’s details.

The checker was built to protect you and the industry. By making verification public, it empowers employers to spot fraudulent documents easily, ensuring jobs go only to properly certified seafarers.

This levels the playing field and builds trust.

Using the tool is straightforward:

1. Visit the INDoS Checker page on the DG Shipping site here.
2. From the “Search for” menu, choose “INDoS”.
3. Enter the individual’s INDoS Number and Date of Birth.
4. Hit search to see the official, verified details linked to that number.

But its use doesn’t stop there. The checker is also your go-to for validating other essential documents. You can use it to cross-check the authenticity of a Passport, a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), Certificates of Proficiency (COP), and GMDSS operator certificates.

For you as an aspiring seafarer, this transparency is a guarantee that reputable companies will use this system to hire you through proper, authorized channels.

How to get an INDoS Number

If you’re just starting out, obtaining your INDoS number is the very first official step in launching your career. It comes even before you begin mandatory courses like Basic Safety Training (BST).

It’s important to know that you cannot apply for this number by yourself. The process must be initiated through a DG Shipping-approved Maritime Training Institute (MTI) where you plan to study.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. Get a Reference Number: You start by registering on the DGS system, usually with help from your chosen MTI. This gives you a system-generated Reference Number, valid for three months, which you use to secure your admission.
2. Verify Documents in Person: You must then be physically present at the MTI with all your original documents. The essentials are a valid passport and your 10th Class pass certificate or marksheet.
3. Let the MTI Apply: The MTI staff will check your originals, upload scanned copies (including your photo and signature), and submit the application for your INDoS number on your behalf.
4. Pay the Fee: You’ll pay a standard fee online through the government payment portal.
5. Receive Your Number: Once verified, your unique 8-digit INDoS number is generated instantly. You’ll receive it via SMS and email, making you officially part of the national database.

With this number in hand, the MTI can proceed with your admission to STCW courses. After completing required training, you become eligible to apply for your CDC—all seamlessly connected to your INDoS identity.

Keeping Your Record Current: Updates and Recovery

Your INDoS profile is a living record of your career. As you grow, it needs to grow with you. Keeping your information up-to-date is your personal responsibility. Any change—a new passport, an upgraded qualification, or a change of address—should be reflected in the database.

To update your details, log in to the DG Shipping e-Governance portal using your INDoS number as your User ID. In the ‘Seafarer’ section, you’ll find options to request corrections or upload documents for approval.

What if you misplace your details? The system has clear recovery paths:

• You can download and print your INDoS certificate anytime by logging into the e-Governance portal.
• If you forget your password, use the recovery utility on the same portal. You’ll need your INDoS number and registered email address to reset it.

For issues that can’t be resolved online, you should contact the INDoS cell or your nearest Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) office.

The DGS has stressed that any mismatch found during a check should be urgently corrected through the official Crew Branch, ensuring your record is always accurate and ready for your next opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions