INTERNATIONAL MARTIME ACADEMY Vs. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These writ petitions have been filed by an Association as well as by an individual Institution conducting Maritime Courses, challenging the Circular issued by the 2nd respondent dated 24.04.2020, wherein the 2nd respondent has mandated that an Approved Training Programme for the Pre-sea Training shall consist of Pre-sea Training and Ship Board Training and the Circular has been brought into effect from the academic year 2020-21.

(2.) The Institutions coming under the petitioner Association and also the individual Institution, offers various Maritime education courses at the Degree, Advance Diploma, Diploma and Certificate level. The Institutions are affiliated to various Universities and some are also Deemed Universities.

(3.) All the Institutions impart courses which are termed as pre-sea courses. The course duration ranges between six months to four years and the 2nd respondent used to grant approval to the Institutions only for the conduct of pre-sea courses. This is more in the nature of the first stage of training. The candidates who successfully complete this stage, thereafter, go through on-board training. Thereafter, they go through post-sea training course and on successful completion of the same, a candidate is eligible to appear for Certificate of Competency examination. Once the candidate clears this exam, the 2nd respondent awards the Certificate of Competency and thereafter, the candidates are eligible to work on-board a ship in various grades and in various ships.