- Why in news
- On 21 July 2026, the Ministry of Shipping told the Rajya Sabha that the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 has been in force since 15 March 2026, and listed DGS advisories on seafarer safety in the Gulf region.
- What it is
- The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 replaces India's older merchant shipping law to align it with current international maritime standards. It covers ship safety and seafarer welfare, including abandonment and recruitment agencies. The Directorate General of Shipping is the maritime administration that issues circulars under it.
- Commencement
- The Act came into force on 15 March 2026.
- Abandoned seafarers
- The Act gives statutory safeguards to seafarers who are abandoned.
- Regulator
- The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) is the regulator under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and issued the advisories.
- ISPS Code
- Circular 10 of 2026 advises compliance with ISPS Code security measures in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
Don’t confuse with Act vs advisories: The Act is a law passed by Parliament. DGS circulars and advisories are executive guidance issued by the regulator.
Don’t confuse with DGS vs RPSL: DGS is the regulator. RPSL (Recruitment and Placement Service) companies are the licensed agencies that place seafarers on ships.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Gives seafarers statutory protection against abandonment and unregulated recruiters.
- Aligns Indian law with international maritime labour standards.
Problems
- Advisories are not binding like statute and may be hard to enforce on foreign-flagged ships.
- Seafarers still face risk in conflict zones, and restricting deployment can cost them jobs.
Way forward
- Enforce RPSL oversight strictly and run the helpline with quick response.
- Coordinate with Indian Missions and international bodies on crew repatriation.
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q20Why maritime security is vital for sea trade; challenges and way forward
- 2023Mains GS2 · Q20Role of IMO in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security
- 2022Mains GS3 · Q10India's maritime security challenges and organisational, technical, procedural initiatives taken
- 2026Prelims Q24How Vizhinjam port shifts India's maritime trade and logistics policy structurally
- 2026Prelims Q35Sagarmala Programme's port-led growth aims, shipping growth, and Sagarmala 2.0 statements
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting law, in force from 15 March 2026, with seafarer safeguards. Laws give 23 Prelims questions, but this reply gives few testable details.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.