Commercial Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency to Operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

This certificate validates an individual's qualification in specific radio communication skills Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

Details of Service

The Commercial Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency (COP) for GMDSS is a certification issued by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), India. It authorizes individuals to operate radio communication equipment on ships, specifically for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) operations.

What is GMDSS?

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is an internationally recognized automated emergency communication system designed to enhance maritime safety. It ensures that ships can send distress signals, communicate with coastal authorities, and receive navigational and weather warnings through various communication technologies, including satellite and terrestrial radio systems.

Purpose of the COP for GMDSS

The certification allows radio operators to:

Legally operate GMDSS radio equipment aboard ships.
Comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regulations.
Ensure proper communication for maritime safety and emergency response.

Who Can Apply

(1) There are following two categories of GMDSS certificates, which may be granted by the Central Government under rule 8, namely:

GMDSS General Operator Certificate; and
1. GMDSS Restricted Operator Certificate

(2) Any person, being a citizen of India, who satisfies the eligibility criteria as set forth below and qualifies the examination specified under rule 7 of Telecommunications (Commercial Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency to Operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) Rules, 2024, shall be eligible for grant of a GMDSS General Operator Certificate or, as the case may be, GMDSS Restricted Operator Certificate,-

S. No.	GMDSS General Operator Certificate	GMDSS Restricted Operator Certificate
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	Above the age of eighteen years, as on the date of examination.	Above the age of eighteen years, as on the date of examination.
2.	Passed the All India Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (12^th standard) or equivalent examination conducted by a recognised Board or University in India with Mathematics and Physics as subjects; or Holds a valid Certificate of Competency or its equivalent issued or recognised by the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India, under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958); or	Passed the Secondary School Certificate Examination or an equivalent examination (10^th standard) conducted by a recognised Board in India or holds a valid certificate issued by statutory bodies of maritime or fisheries departments of the Central Government or State Government; or Holds a valid Certificate of Competency or its equivalent issued or recognised by the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India, under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958); or
	(c) Holds a valid certificate of proficiency or its equivalent issued by the WPC Wing.	(c) Holds a valid certificate of proficiency or its equivalent issued by the WPC Wing.
3.	Has undergone practical training on Global Maritime Distress and Safety System equipment, in any of the institutes approved by the Central Government from time to time, for a period not less than two continuous weeks (minimum ninety-six hours):	Has undergone practical training on Global Maritime Distress and Safety System equipment, in any of the institutes approved by the Central Government from time to time, for a period not less than one week (minimum forty hours):

Provided that the Central Government may, subject to such terms and conditions as it may specify from time to time, permit a person, not being a citizen of India, to undertake the examination held under rule 7 of Telecommunications (Commercial Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency to Operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) Rules, 2024 and administrative clearance in this behalf from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs, for consideration of grant of the GMDSS Certificate under the relevant category.

Documents Required

PAN Card

Nationality certificate

Class 12 passing certificate

Fees and Charges

GMDSS Certificate under any of the following categories shall be issued subject to payment of fees as specified below,-

Category of Certificate

Fee

(i) GMDSS General Operator Certificate

Ten thousand rupeesfor validity periodof twenty years; and

Fifteen thousand rupees for lifetime validity.

(ii) GMDSS Restricted Operator Certificate

Five thousand rupeesfor lifetime validity.

Explanation.- For the purposes of expression “lifetime” means till the GMDSS Certificate holder attains the age of eighty years.

Application Process

Submit application saral sanchar portal

Upload the signed application on saral sanchar portal alongwith all the required documents.

Conduct of Examination and publishing of result

Issue of certificate to passed candidates

Statistics

Policy / Circular / Presentation

Orders29/10/2024

Telecommunications (Commercial Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency to Operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) Rules, 2024

Circulars24/08/2022

Annexure to ER for Radio Broad Cast Receiver

Click here to view all

Apply/View Status

License Issuance & Management

Nodal Cell Contact / Help Desk

GMDSS Certificate is issued by the Regional licensing offices of WPC Wing.

North

Joint Wireless Adviser, Ministry of Communications, Northern Regional Wireless Monitoring HQRS Campus, (PO) Ghitorni, New Delhi-30. Tel.No.+ 91112650 2671/ 1712 FAX. No. +91112650 2860

Eastern

WPC Wing Regional Licensing Office, Ministry of Communications, International Wireless Monitoring Station Campus, (PO) Sarkarpool, Gopalpur, Kolkata -700143. Tel. No. +91 33 24011431/ 2401 8801 FAX. No.+ 91 33 2401 4473

Western

WPC Wing Regional Licensing Office, Ministry of Communications , 3rd Floor, MTNL Telephone Exchange Bldg, Charkop, Sector-5, Kandivali (W), Mumbai-400 067 Tel No. +91222868 3202/28672351, Fax No. +91 22 2867 3214

Southern

WPC Wing Regional Licensing Office, La.kshadweep Ministry of Communications, International Wireless monitoring Station Campus, (PO) Perungudi, Kandanchavadi, Chennai- 600 096. Tel.No.+ 91442496 2070/ 2496 0172, FAX. No. +91 44 2496 4000

North East

WPC Wing Regional Licensing Office, Ministry of Communications Wireless Monitoring Station Campus, Lapalangh, Ryngah, Shillong-793006 Tel.No.+ 91364 2537613, FAX. No. +91 364 2230893

Validity

20 Years and Lifetime

User Manual

A comprehensive user manuals are available for applicants.