Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) Assistance Scheme
DG Shipping social security scheme providing monthly ex-gratia pensions and medical relief to retired Indian merchant seafarers and surviving widows.
Quick Eligibility Snapshot
₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown
📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach
Administered through the autonomous Seafarers Welfare Fund statutory endowment corpus
Official Budget Document ↗Over 25,000 retired merchant seafarers and widows supported across coastal states
As of: 2026-01-31PIB / Official Citation ↗Verified Eligibility Criteria
Must hold an Indian Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) and have served minimum aggregate sea service (at least 5 years of verified articles of agreement on Indian or foreign flag vessels). Widows of seafarers who died in active service or post-retirement qualify.
Required Documents Checklist
Verify readiness before applying for Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) Assistance Scheme. Check off your papers or print this list before visiting your local CSC / Cyber Cafe.
Mandatory Documents(3)
Check off as readyKeep self-attested photocopies and clear digital scans (100 KB – 200 KB, PDF/JPG format) ready to avoid portal upload timeouts.
Worried About Application Rejection for Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) Assistance Scheme?
Over 30% of applications on official portals get delayed or rejected due to minor certificate authority mismatches or unseeded bank accounts. Our civic research desk compiles a verified 1-page Scheme Blueprint tailored to your state and profile.
- ✓Valid issuing authority rules (Tehsildar/SDM)
- ✓Aadhaar-DBT bank seeding verification
- ✓Direct official portal guide (no middlemen)
- ✓Email delivery in 1–2 hrs during desk hours
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Application Effort & Process Friction
Readiness assessment derived from official prerequisites, mandatory documentation, and submission channels.
Effort scores reflect portal accessibility, mandatory document burden, and physical verification requirements.
How to Apply
- 1
Eligible seafarers or surviving widows register on the DG Shipping SWFS e-governance portal.
- 2
Submit Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) details and sea-service records.
- 3
Application authenticated through NUSI/MUI seafarers unions or regional Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs).
- 4
SWFS Committee of Management sanctions monthly pension.
- 5
Monthly relief credited directly into bank account via PFMS.
✅Before You Begin — Pre-Application Checklist
⚠️Common Rejection Reasons — Avoid These
Failure to substantiate minimum 5 years verified sea service on Indian CDC, or incomplete succession certificates for widow claims.
Official Government Application Portal
You will be redirected to the secure official portal: dgshipping.gov.in
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Field-tested recommendations from administrative grievance circulars to avoid rejections and processing stalls.
Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)
Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.
What is the qualifying age for retired seafarer ex-gratia relief?
A seafarer must be 60 years or older, or medically certified as permanently unfit for sea service at any age.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Can ratings as well as officers apply?
Yes, both deck/engine ratings and petty officers holding valid CDCs are eligible for SWFS welfare schemes.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗How is the monthly pension disbursed?
Disbursements are credited directly into the verified savings bank account of the seafarer or surviving spouse via PFMS.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗How do I apply for Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) Assistance Scheme? What is the official process?
To apply for Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) Assistance Scheme, applicants should follow the official procedure: 1. Eligible seafarers or surviving widows register on the DG Shipping SWFS e-governance portal. 2. Submit Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) details and sea-service records. 3. Application authenticated through NUSI/MUI seafarers unions or regional Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs). 4. SWFS C...
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Can I track my Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) Assistance Scheme application status?
Application status for Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) Assistance Scheme can typically be tracked through the official portal at dgshipping.gov.in using your Aadhaar number, application reference number, or registered mobile number. Alternatively, contact the scheme helpline or visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).
What should I do if my Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) Assistance Scheme payment is delayed or rejected?
First, verify your Aadhaar-bank account seeding status on the NPCI mapper (npci.org.in). If seeding is confirmed and payment is still pending, register a complaint on the Central Public Grievance Redressal System at pgportal.gov.in. You may also file an RTI application at rtionline.gov.in to obtain official rejection reasons within 30 days.
Is there an income tax implication for receiving Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) Assistance Scheme benefits?
Agricultural income and certain welfare subsidies may be exempt from income tax under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax treatment varies by scheme type and beneficiary income level. Consult a certified tax practitioner or visit incometax.gov.in for scheme-specific tax guidance.
Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings
Failure to substantiate minimum 5 years verified sea service on Indian CDC, or incomplete succession certificates for widow claims.
Editorial Verification & Change Log
| Date | Field | Description / Update | Source Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-18 | scheme_type | cs | Official Source ↗ |
| 2026-09-21 | initial_verification | Baseline verification of SWFS monthly ex-gratia pension (₹3,000-₹5,000), 5-year CDC sea service criterion, and DG Shipping welfare fund protocols. | Official Source ↗ |
⚖Compare with Similar Schemes
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Application Window & Deadlines
Continuous application window for eligible retired seafarers and widows
🛟Grievance & RTI Channels
🌱Relevant Life Milestones
Scheme Intelligence
How is this calculated? ↗Verified 7d ago from .gov.in source
Requires documentation or office visit
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📅Scheme Milestone Timeline
Baseline verification of SWFS monthly ex-gratia pension (₹3,000-₹5,000), 5-year ...
Official Source ↗Schemes You Can Stack With This
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Official Helpline & Nodal Offices
Seafarers Welfare Fund Society, Directorate General of Shipping
9th Floor, Beta Building, i-Think Techno Campus, Kanjurmarg (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400042
Helpline: 022-25752005
Jurisdiction: National (All-India)Notice a Discrepancy?
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Verification Metadata
Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-10-12 against official government documentation.
Eligo is an independent information platform unaffiliated with any government body. Always confirm latest terms directly on the official portal.