Inside DG Shipping Exams: Outdated Questions, Repeat Failures & Zero Transparency

In this in-depth conversation with Capt. Harish Khatri, CEO of the Board of Examination for Seafarers, we take a hard look at the realities of the Directorate General of Shipping examination system. We discuss what actually works—and what doesn’t—in DG Shipping exams, the gap between practical knowledge and outdated oral questions, and the growing concerns around transparency in assessments. The conversation also dives into surveyor consistency, repeated failures, mandatory courses, and who should truly be accountable in the system. If you’re a seafarer, preparing for orals, or navigating the certification process in India, this episode breaks down the challenges, misconceptions, and possible way forward—directly from someone at the top. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction 02:57 DG Shipping Exam System: What Works and What Doesn’t 07:59 Practical Knowledge vs Outdated Oral Questions 11:05 Transparency in Orals: Recordings, Reviews, and Complaints 18:07 Surveyor Quality, Training, and Uniformity of Assessment 30:07 Repeat Failures, Mandatory Courses, and Who Should Be Responsible