Seafarers' Welfare Fund Society

Financial assistance to nominees of deceased seafarers.

• ₹2,00,000 (for death occurred on or after 16.03.2016), ₹4,00,000 (for death occurred on or after 29.04.2024) and ₹6,00,000 (for death occurred on or after 27.01.2026).
• Death within 24 months off article period w.e.f. 29.4.2024 and (death within 36 months off article period w.e.f 27.01.2026).
• Paid to the nominee registered for the last voyage before death.
• The deceased seafarer should be last engaged through Indian Shipping Co./RPSL.
• Claim to be submitted within 3 years from the date of death.

Provides financial assistance to eligible seafarers with permanent disabilities.

• ₹2,00,000 (for permanent disability on or after 16.03.2016) and ₹6,00,000 (for permanent disability on or after 29.04.2024 – disability due to loss of limbs).
• Permanent unfitness due to accidental injury within 24 months off article period w.e.f. 29.04.2024 and (amended to 36 months w.e.f. 27.01.2026).
• Claim to be submitted within 3 years from the date of permanent disability.

Provides welfare benefits to eligible retired Indian seafarers.
 

• ₹50,000 for seafarers holding Indian CDC and on completion of age 65 years on/after 01.01.2019.
• ₹1,00,000/- for seafarers holding Indian CDC and on completion of age 75 years (on/after 01.01.2026).
• The seafarer should have minimum 6 months sea service after age 55 (post 01.04.2014) through Indian Shipping company or RPSL (amended to minimum 6 months cumulative sea service after the age of 50 years for seafarer applying to 65 years scheme & w.e.f 01.01.2026 for applying 75 years scheme).
• Indian CDC must be cancelled.

Provides educational assistance to eligible seafarers' dependents.
 

• ₹50,000 (daughter or son of the seafarer) on completion of Pre-Sea training course from DGS approved Training Institute & obtains CDC & (₹1,00,000/- for completion of course on or after 27.01.2026).
• ₹25,000 (daughter or son of the seafarer) on completion of post-graduation full time 2 years Degree/Diploma course (other than maritime stream) approved by Indian University / AICTE & (₹50,000/- for completion of course on or after 27.01.2026).
• The seafarer should have minimum 6 months sea service after 01.04.2014.
• Application to be submitted within 12 months of course completion.

Provides maternity assistance to eligible women seafarers.
 

• Only for Indian female seafarers having sea service through Indian Shipping company or RPS, before 60 months of delivery.
• ₹25,000 per delivery (maximum for 2 deliveries) and (₹50,000/- for delivering on or after 27.01.2026).
• Claim to be submitted within 2 years of delivery; delivery after 21.08.2014.

Provides ex-gratia assistance for deaths occurring during service on board.
 

• ₹2,00,000 ex-gratia assistance to the nominee registered for the vessel.
• Any type of death on board or presumed death on board, on/after 12.03.2025.
• Indian CDC holder and bonafide employment through Indian Shipping Co./RPSL.
• Application to be submitted within 3 months of death/missing.

Provides temporary financial support to families of stranded or abandoned seafarers.

• ₹10,000/month ex-gratia support paid to the nominee for a maximum of 12 months or till the period of abandonment of the seafarer, whichever is earlier, in respect of stranded/abandoned bonafide seafarers (amended to ₹20,000/- per month for families of seafarers abandoned/stranded on or after 01.01.2026).
• Applicable for stranded/abandoned cases on or after 12.03.2025.
• Assistance is paid after 2 months of being stranded, based on confirmation from Government authorities.
• Application to be submitted within 2 months from the date of stranded/abandonment.

Recognizes and rewards academic excellence among seafarers' children.

• Cash award of Rs. 25,000/- paid for children of the seafarer, who top in full-time degree/PG Degree course from Indian University (nonmaritime).
• Application to be submitted within 2 months of university confirmation.

Reimburses eligible medical and insurance premium expenses.
 

• The Committee of Management (COM) has approved financial assistance to Indian seafarers in the form of reimbursement of insurance premiums for Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Term Insurance policies taken on or after 01.01.2026, for self and dependent family members.
• Reimbursement: Up to 50% of premium, subject to: ₹3,000 – Medical Insurance; ₹1,000 – Critical Illness Cover; ₹1,000 – Term Insurance (maximum ₹5,000 per seafarer).
• Reimbursement will be made against self-attested premium receipt and policy copy issued by IRDA-approved insurance companies.
• Eligibility includes Indian CDC holders with minimum 6 months cumulative sea service as prescribed.
• Application must be submitted within 60 days before policy lapse.

Provides one-time financial assistance for eligible critical or terminal illnesses.
 

• The COM has approved one-time financial assistance to seafarers suffering from critical or terminal illnesses as recognized by IRDA, effective from 01.01.2026.
• Assistance amount: ₹2,00,000 (one-time).
• Applicable only to Indian CDC holder seafarers (not family members).
• Minimum 6 months qualifying sea service as prescribed.
• Mandatory medical certificate from a Central/State Government Hospital (not older than 6 months).
• Application to be submitted within 6 months from date of medical certificate.
• Benefit is admissible only once in a lifetime.

Supports career advancement for rating seafarers obtaining an Indian Certificate of Competency.
 

• To encourage career advancement of rating seafarers, the COM has introduced a new scheme effective from 01.01.2026 for ratings becoming officers after obtaining Indian CoC.
• One-time financial assistance of ₹2,00,000 for obtaining the first Indian CoC (FG/NCV).
• Applicable to rating seafarers passing Indian CoC examinations and promoted as officers.
• Only Indian CoC issued by Directorate General of Shipping will be considered.
• Application to be submitted within 12 months of obtaining CoC.
• Benefit is admissible only once.

Provides financial assistance for eligible incidents occurring in notified warlike or high-risk areas.
 

• The COM has approved one-time financial for Death or Permanent Disability suffered by Seafarers in Warlike / High-Risk Areas Assistance Scheme, effective from 23.03.2026
• Assistance amount: ₹10,00,000 (Rs.10 Lakhs only) one time.
• Applicable only to Indian CDC holders.
• Present Warlike area or high risk areas where the scheme is applicable are Persian/Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Southern Red Sea.
• Application form is to be received within a period of 3 (three) months from the date of death of the seafarer / reported missing.