Requests have been received from Indian / foreign ship owners that they would like to have their own selection process and would like to continue to sponsor candidates for "One Year Diploma in Nautical Science[IGNOU]" for January, 2007 batch commencing w.e.f. 2.1.2007.  to cater to their specific need, it has been decided that those candidates who are sponsored for on-board ship training and employed by members of INSA/MASSA/FOSMA, will be allowed to apply to IGNOU latest by 26^th December, 2006.  The other eligibility criteria for company sponsored candidates notified vide DGS Circular No.7 of 2005 shall remain unchanged.  This is the last time company sponsored candidates are allowed for direct enrolment for the IGNOU stream of the DNS Course.  In future, all the company sponsored candidates have to come through the Common Entrance Exam conducted by IGNOU. 

            It may be noted that no institute sponsored candidates are  to be admitted  in the January, 2007 batch. 

            Any violation leading to admission of ineligible candidates shall be viewed serious as a major misconduct and Institutes indulging /entertaining such malpractices shall be suspended forthwith.  The onus of verifying the bonafides of the school/college certificates shall entirely lie with the institutes concerned. 

            This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping and Ex-Officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India. 

Yours faithfully,

            Sd/-
(PH. Krishnan)
Dy. Director General of Shipping
For Director General of Shipping