The Maritime Institutes v. The Government Of India
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 30-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI WP Nos.11858 of 2014, 14854 of 2022, and WMP.No.22666 of 2024 W.P.No.11858 of 2014 The Maritime Institutes Association, Represented by its President J.Senthil Kumar, No.41, Giri Road, T.Nagar, Chennai-600 17. ... Petitioner Vs
1. The Government Of IndiaRep. By Its Secreary, Ministry Of Shipping, Transport Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
2. The Director General OfShipping, The Directorate General Of Shipping 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno Campus, Kanjurmarg (east), Mumbai 400 042.
..Respondent(s) W.P.No.12670 of 2014 International Maritime Academy, Rep. By its Managing Director, J.Senthil Kumar,.
41, Jamin Korattur, Puduchatram, Chennai-600 124.
.. Petitioner vs.
1.The Government of India, Rep by its Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Transport Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110 001.
2.The Director General of Shipping, The Directorate General of Shipping, 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno Campus, __________Page 1 of 6
Kanjurmarg (East), Mumbai-400 042.
...
Respondents S.Arun Kumar .. Petitioner vs.
1.The Government of India, Rep by its Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Transport Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110 001.
2.The Director General of Shipping, The Directorate General of Shipping, 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno Campus, Kanjurmarg (East), Mumbai-400 042.
3.The International Maritime Academy, Rep. By its Managing Director, J.Senthil Kumar,.
41, Jamin Korattur, Puduchatram, Chennai-600 124.
..
Respondents International Maritime Academy, Represented by its Managing Director J.Senthil Kumar, 41, Jamin Korattur, Pudhuchatram, Chennai-600 124.
.. Petitioner vs.
1.The Government of India, Rep by its Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Transport Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110 001.
2.The Director General of Shipping, represented by the Additional Directorate General of Shipping, 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno Campus, Kanjurmarg (East), Mumbai-400 042.
3.Harshit Bewal, (3rd respondent impleaded vide order dated 30.03.2026 __________Page 2 of 6
in WMP.No.22666 of 2024) ..
Respondents Prayer in W.P.No.11858 of 2014 : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 2nd respondent in D.G. Shipping Circular No.7 of 2005 dt 17.6.2005 in No.11-TR (21)/97, quash the same and consequently forbear the 2nd respondent from issuing any Circular prescribing eligibility criteria for admission to pre-sea Ratings course.
Prayer in W.P.No.12670 of 2014 : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 2nd respondent in Training Circular No.7 of 2005 dt 17.6.2005 in 11-TR(21)/97 and Training Circular No.5 of 2013 dated 17.4.2013 in file No.11-TR(18)/2004-III and letter dated 13.08.2013 in No.3-TR(48)/99-3 years B.Sc. (NS)-Vol-III / 656, quash the same and consequently forbear the second respondent from prescribing any minimum eligibility criteria for admission into the degree/ diploma maritime courses.
Prayer in W.P.No.27473 of 2021 : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for a Writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to permit the petitioner to appear for the MEO Marine Engineering Officer Class 4 (FG) Part B examination to be conducted by the 2nd respondent in the near future.
Prayer in W.P.No.14854 of 2022 : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 2nd respondent in DGS Order No.4 of 2022 dated 07.02.2022 in File No.20-17/5/2020-TRG-DGS, quash the same and consequently direct the 2nd respondent to permit the students who were admitted into the degree/diploma course in the petitioner institution from the Academic Year 2014 onwards to attend the Certificate of Competency examination as per their qualifications.
For Petitioner:
W.P.No.11858 of 2014 : Mr.A.Jenasenan : Mr.V.Parthiban : Mr.Abishek Jenasenan W.P.No.12670 of 2014 : Mr.A.Jenasenan For Respondents:
W.P.No.11858 of 2014 : Mr.R.Subbu Ranga Bharathi Central Govt. Counsel for R1 and R2 __________Page 3 of 6
: Mr.Abishek Jenasenan for R3 Mr.Venkataswamy Babu, Standing Counsel for R1 and R2 : Mr.R.Rajesh Vivekananthan, & W.P.No.12670 of 2014 Deputy Solicitor General of India for R1 and R2 COMMON ORDER W.P.Nos.11858 of 2014, 12670 of 2014 and 14854 of 2022 are filed challenging the circulars prescribing eligibility criteria for admission into the pre-sea maritime courses, towards enhancement of the educational qualification for entering into the maritime courses which is mandatory for completing the pre-sea courses training. W.P.No.27473 of 2021 is filed for a Mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to permit the petitioner to appear for the MEO Marine Engineering Officer Class 4 (FG) Part B examination to be conducted by the 2nd respondent in the near future.
2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials.
3. Similar challenge was already considered by this Court in the decision in The Maritime Educational and Training Institutes Association v. The Director General of Shipping and Others [W.P.Nos.40370 of 2019 etc., batch dated 09.09.2017] wherein the learned Single Judge of this Court has upheld the impugned notifications / circulars and it was unsuccessfully challenged before __________Page 4 of 6
the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No.481 of 2021 dated 12.03.2026.
4. In the light of the above, these writ petitions are dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition if any, shall stand dismissed. 30-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order JVM To
1. The Secretary, The Government Of India Ministry Of Shipping, Transport Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
2. The Director General Of Shipping, The Directorate General Of Shipping 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno Campus, Kanjurmarg (east), Mumbai 400 042 __________Page 5 of 6
M.DHANDAPANI J.
JVM WP Nos.11858 of 2014, 14854 of 2022, 27473 of 2021 and 12670 of 2024 30-03-2026 __________Page 6 of 6