AI SummarySagar Samman Award is a national honour that ranks Directorate General of Shipping approved maritime training institutes across India. Top institutes are appreciated every year on National Maritime Day, observed on 5 April.
The award is presented under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. National Maritime Day Celebrations (NMDC) Central Committee runs the process, and the Director General of Shipping chairs it. Nomination for the 2026 cycle opened on 1 January 2026 and closed on 28 February 2026.
Sagar Samman Award: Recognition of Outstanding Maritime Training Institutes
Sagar Samman Award for maritime training institutes is a non-monetary honour. It is given in kind, not as cash. The aim is simple: encourage institutes to improve training quality and produce skilled seafarers for the global shipping industry.
The award covers two broad streams. Pre-sea training institutes prepare officer cadets and rating trainees before they go to sea. Post-sea training institutes run competency courses for seafarers who are already working.
Selection is based on the Comprehensive Inspection Programme, also called CIP. Institutes that perform well in these inspections are considered for the award. The top three institutes in each category are ranked and honoured publicly.
For the 2026 cycle, nominations were accepted from 1 January 2026 to 28 February 2026. Winners were announced before National Maritime Day, and the awards were handed over on 5 April 2026 at the 63rd National Maritime Day celebration.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Sagar Samman Award (Recognition of Outstanding Maritime Training Institutes) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways |
| Administered By | NMDC Central Committee, chaired by Director General of Shipping |
| Target Entity | DGS approved maritime training institutes |
| Benefit Type | Non-monetary (honour and ranking) |
| Selection Basis | Comprehensive Inspection Programme (CIP) |
| Award Day | 5 April (National Maritime Day) |
| Official Portal | awards.gov.in |
Benefits
The award brings national-level appreciation to the top three institutes in each category. Here is what the recognised institutes get:
- Formal national ranking as first, second, and third among approved maritime training institutes.
- Public honour during National Maritime Day celebrations each year.
- Better reputation and trust within the shipping industry, which helps attract students and placements.
Eligibility
Only a few institutes qualify for this honour. An institute must meet all these conditions to be considered:
- It must be a Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) approved maritime training institute.
- It must have taken part in the Comprehensive Inspection Programme (CIP).
- It must show steady, high performance in training quality and results.
- It must fall under one of these categories: pre-sea training for officer cadets, pre-sea training for rating trainees, or post-sea training for competency courses.
Application Process
Nomination is done online through the National Awards Portal. Follow these steps:
STEP 1 - Go to the official National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in and open the Sagar Samman Award 2026 page.
STEP 2 - Log in using the official credentials of the authorised recommending authority.
STEP 3 - Fill the nomination form with complete details of the institute, including training category and performance records.
STEP 4 - Upload the citation, verification certificate, and other supporting documents, then submit the form before the deadline.
Documents Required
Keep these documents ready before submitting the nomination:
- Directorate General of Shipping approval certificate.
- Comprehensive Inspection Programme (CIP) evaluation report.
- Records of institutional performance and course accreditation.
- Details of training infrastructure, faculty, and student placement records.
References
Official National Awards Portal: awards.gov.in
Revised Guidelines for Sagar Samman Awards: dgshipping.gov.in
FAQ's
Who is eligible for this honour?
Only Directorate General of Shipping approved maritime training institutes can apply.
How many institutes receive the award each year?
The top three institutes in each category are recognised every year.
What categories are included?
Categories include pre-sea training for officer cadets, rating trainees, and post-sea competency courses.
How are the winners selected?
Selection is mainly based on performance in the Comprehensive Inspection Programme (CIP).
Is there a cash prize?
No, the award is honorary and non-monetary, given as a public ranking and honour.
When are the awards announced?
Awards are announced during the annual National Maritime Day celebrations on 5 April.
Who is responsible for evaluation?
Evaluation is done by recognised organisations and classification societies.
What if an institute is not DGS approved?
Non-approved institutes are not eligible to take part.
Is the recognition permanent?
No, the status is valid for the specific award year and is reviewed every year.
Who makes the final decision on awardees?
National Maritime Day Celebrations Committee finalises the winners, and the Director General of Shipping declares the final list.