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PSSR exit exam questions and answers — Set 24 — Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities

Set 24 of the Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR) exit exam bank — 30 of 786 questions, with the correct option marked and a one-line explanation for every one. Read it end to end, jump to a single set, or search it — then sit the same bank as a timed paper. The real DG Shipping exit exam is 30 marks with 15 to pass.

These are the bank's original groupings. Practising deals the whole bank out again every time you reshuffle, so a practice “Set 3” is a different 30 questions each time — the set numbers below are the source file's, and are only used here so the key stays navigable. Options are listed in their original order with fixed letters; when you practise, those move too.

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Set 24 — 30 PSSR exit exam questions with answers

1. Which of the following best describes appropriate support to a victim of harassment after reporting?

  • A. Moving the victim to a lower-ranked post
  • B. Checking regularly on the victim's well-being, keeping them informed of progress, and helping them access medical, counselling or welfare services
  • C. Asking the victim to share the story at a crew meeting
  • D. Leaving the victim alone so they can forget the matter
Answer: B — Checking regularly on the victim's well-being, keeping them informed of progress, and helping them access medical, counselling or welfare services
Support continues after the report. Regular, discreet check-ins, information about what is being done and access to medical care, counselling, welfare helplines and company support help the victim recover and maintain trust in the process.

2. DGS Training Circular No. 3 of 2025 mandates a one-time basic awareness course for seafarers. How many hours does this module add to the PSSR course?

  • A. 1 hour
  • B. 2 hours
  • C. 6 hours
  • D. 3 hours
Answer: B — 2 hours
Training Circular 3 of 2025 includes a 2-hour basic awareness module covering MLC provisions under the MS Act, the RPS and Maritime Labour Rules, grievances, FAQs, safe career planning and seafarers' rights, making the PSSR course 26 hours over 4 days.

3. Which Indian rules regulate the licensing of agencies that recruit and place seafarers on Indian and foreign-flag ships?

  • A. Inland Vessels Act Rules
  • B. Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules
  • C. Merchant Shipping (Tonnage Measurement) Rules
  • D. Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Collisions at Sea) Regulations
Answer: B — Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules
The Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules, now the RPS Rules 2016 under the MS Act 1958, require recruitment and placement agencies to hold a DG Shipping licence and provide safeguards including repatriation of stranded seafarers.

4. A person promises an aspiring seafarer a guaranteed job on a ship if he pays a large sum for 'placement' and training through him. What should the candidate do?

  • A. Pay the amount since jobs at sea are scarce
  • B. Refuse to pay, verify whether the agency is a DGS-licensed RPS agency, and report the suspicious agent to DG Shipping
  • C. Pay half now and half after joining
  • D. Ask the agent for a receipt and then pay
Answer: B — Refuse to pay, verify whether the agency is a DGS-licensed RPS agency, and report the suspicious agent to DG Shipping
Training Circular 3 of 2025 warns of fraudulent agents posing as authorised RPS agents and directs that aspiring seafarers be educated not to pay money for jobs. Seafarers should verify licensed RPS agencies on the DG Shipping website and report suspicious activity.

5. Under MLC 2006, which cost may lawfully be borne by the seafarer in connection with recruitment?

  • A. The recruitment or placement fee charged by the agency
  • B. The cost of the national statutory medical certificate, seafarer's book and passport
  • C. The cost of the visa for joining the ship
  • D. The cost of travel to join the ship
Answer: B — The cost of the national statutory medical certificate, seafarer's book and passport
Standard A1.4.5 prohibits fees or other charges for recruitment, placement or providing employment from being borne by seafarers, other than the cost of the national statutory medical certificate, national seafarer's book and passport or similar travel documents. Visa costs are borne by the shipowner.

6. Before enrolling in a pre-sea or STCW course, how can a candidate confirm that the institute is genuine?

  • A. By checking that the institute charges the highest fees
  • B. By asking a former student only
  • C. By checking that the institute and course are listed as approved on the official DG Shipping website
  • D. By checking advertisements on social media
Answer: C — By checking that the institute and course are listed as approved on the official DG Shipping website
Training Circular 3 of 2025 aims to help aspiring seafarers recognise red flags when dealing with unauthorised colleges and fraudulent agents. Only DGS-approved MTIs and courses, verifiable through the DG Shipping website, lead to valid certificates.

7. Under DGS Training Circular 3 of 2025, who must ensure that freshers and first-time seafarers placed on board have completed the basic awareness course?

  • A. The RPS agencies placing them on board
  • B. The ship's pilot
  • C. The classification society
  • D. The port State control officer
Answer: A — The RPS agencies placing them on board
The circular requires RPS agencies to ensure that all freshers, cadets and trainee seafarers being placed on board have completed the course, to verify it in training records and to maintain the records, which are checked during audits and inspections.

8. Apart from PSSR for freshers, in which course must the seafarer awareness content of Training Circular 3 of 2025 also be included?

  • A. Ship Security Officer course
  • B. Advanced Fire Fighting
  • C. Tanker familiarisation course
  • D. Revalidation (RUTC) courses for nautical and engineering officers
Answer: D — Revalidation (RUTC) courses for nautical and engineering officers
The circular directs that the course content be included in the PSSR course for freshers undergoing the basic STCW courses and also for all nautical and engineering officers doing their revalidation course for revalidating their certificates of competency.

9. Which Indian Act gives effect to the provisions of MLC 2006 for Indian seafarers and ships?

  • A. The Factories Act, 1948
  • B. The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021
  • C. The Indian Ports Act, 1908
  • D. The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, with the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour) Rules, 2016
Answer: D — The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, with the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour) Rules, 2016
The awareness course outline covers MLC provisions in the Merchant Shipping Act 1958, the MS (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules 2016 and the MS (Maritime Labour) Rules 2016, through which India implements the Convention.

10. Under MLC 2006 as amended in 2014, a seafarer is considered abandoned when the shipowner, among other things:

  • A. Fails to cover the cost of repatriation, leaves the seafarer without necessary maintenance and support, or has unilaterally severed ties including failing to pay wages for at least two months
  • B. Reduces overtime hours
  • C. Delays shore leave in one port
  • D. Changes the ship's flag
Answer: A — Fails to cover the cost of repatriation, leaves the seafarer without necessary maintenance and support, or has unilaterally severed ties including failing to pay wages for at least two months
Standard A2.5.2 defines abandonment as the shipowner failing to pay for repatriation, leaving seafarers without necessary maintenance and support such as food, water, fuel and medical care, or otherwise unilaterally severing ties, including non-payment of contractual wages for at least two months.

11. Under MLC 2006, the financial security system for abandonment must cover outstanding wages and entitlements for a period of at least:

  • A. Four months
  • B. Twelve months
  • C. Two months
  • D. One month
Answer: A — Four months
Standard A2.5.2, introduced by the 2014 amendments, requires the financial security to cover outstanding wages and other entitlements limited to four months, together with repatriation costs and essential needs such as food, water, accommodation and medical care.

12. Where must the certificate or documentary evidence of financial security for abandonment be kept on board?

  • A. Only at the company office
  • B. Posted in a conspicuous place on board available to the seafarers
  • C. With the RPS agency ashore
  • D. In the Master's safe, not to be shown to crew
Answer: B — Posted in a conspicuous place on board available to the seafarers
MLC 2006 Standard A2.5.2 requires the certificate or other documentary evidence of financial security to be carried on board and posted in a conspicuous place where it is available to the seafarers, so they know whom to contact if abandoned.

13. A ship has not paid crew wages for three months, provisions and fuel are running low and the company is not responding. What should the crew do?

  • A. Abandon the ship at once without informing anyone
  • B. Wait silently until the owner returns
  • C. Sell ship's stores to buy food
  • D. Report the situation to DG Shipping, the flag State or port State authorities and the financial security provider, and seek help from seafarer welfare organisations
Answer: D — Report the situation to DG Shipping, the flag State or port State authorities and the financial security provider, and seek help from seafarer welfare organisations
Training Circular 3 of 2025 highlights warning signs of abandonment and the need to reach officials promptly. Seafarers should contact DG Shipping, flag and port State authorities, the financial security provider and welfare bodies; abandonment cases are also recorded on the joint ILO-IMO database.

14. Which of the following is a warning sign of possible abandonment that a seafarer should not ignore?

  • A. Routine change of agents at a port
  • B. Repeated delay in wages, shortage of provisions, fuel or water, and the shipowner not responding to the Master
  • C. A change of charterer
  • D. A scheduled dry-docking
Answer: B — Repeated delay in wages, shortage of provisions, fuel or water, and the shipowner not responding to the Master
The awareness course teaches seafarers to recognise early warning signs of abandonment such as delayed or unpaid wages, inadequate supplies and loss of contact with the owner, so that they can alert the authorities before their situation becomes desperate.

15. Leaving the ship without permission before the end of the agreed contract, with the intention of not returning, is known as:

  • A. Desertion
  • B. Sign-off on medical grounds
  • C. Repatriation
  • D. Shore leave
Answer: A — Desertion
Training Circular 3 of 2025 lists desertion by ship's crew among the risks seafarers must understand. Desertion is a breach of the employment agreement and the MS Act and can lead to loss of wages, penalties and difficulty finding future employment.

16. Which is the correct course of action for a seafarer with a genuine grievance on board?

  • A. Stop work immediately and refuse all duties
  • B. Post it on social media first
  • C. Raise it through the onboard complaint procedure, starting at the lowest appropriate level, and if unresolved take it to the Master or authorities ashore
  • D. Wait until the end of the contract
Answer: C — Raise it through the onboard complaint procedure, starting at the lowest appropriate level, and if unresolved take it to the Master or authorities ashore
MLC Regulation 5.1.5 and the DGS awareness course require seafarers to use the onboard complaint mechanism, resolving complaints at the lowest level possible while retaining the right to complain directly to the Master and to external authorities such as DG Shipping.

17. If a crew member is found missing on board during the voyage, the immediate action is to:

  • A. Pack the missing person's belongings
  • B. Wait until the next port to report
  • C. Raise the alarm, inform the bridge, carry out a thorough search of the ship and treat it as a possible man overboard
  • D. Inform only the person's cabin mate
Answer: C — Raise the alarm, inform the bridge, carry out a thorough search of the ship and treat it as a possible man overboard
The awareness course covers missing seafarers and man overboard cases. A missing person must be reported immediately; the ship searches all spaces and, if not found, initiates man overboard and search and rescue procedures, informing the company and authorities.

18. Why should a seafarer keep copies of his employment agreement, wage slips and certificates?

  • A. They replace the Continuous Discharge Certificate
  • B. The RPS agency requires them to be returned
  • C. They are needed only for income tax
  • D. They provide proof of employment terms, wages and service if a dispute, abandonment or claim arises
Answer: D — They provide proof of employment terms, wages and service if a dispute, abandonment or claim arises
Secure career planning includes maintaining personal records. MLC requires the seafarer to receive a signed original of the SEA and a monthly account of wages; these documents are essential evidence when seeking unpaid wages, compensation or help from authorities.

19. Under MLC 2006, before signing the Seafarers' Employment Agreement the seafarer must:

  • A. Have served at least six months at sea
  • B. Pay a deposit to the shipowner
  • C. Be given an opportunity to examine and seek advice on the agreement and freely accept it
  • D. Obtain approval from the classification society
Answer: C — Be given an opportunity to examine and seek advice on the agreement and freely accept it
Standard A2.1.1 requires that seafarers signing an SEA be given an opportunity to examine and seek advice on the agreement before signing, and that they freely accept it with sufficient understanding of their rights and responsibilities.

20. Under the Merchant Shipping (RPS) Rules, which of the following is a responsibility of a licensed RPS agency?

  • A. To issue Certificates of Competency
  • B. To place seafarers only with shipowners and ensure they hold valid certificates, and to provide for repatriation if the shipowner fails to do so
  • C. To approve training institutes
  • D. To charge the seafarer a placement fee
Answer: B — To place seafarers only with shipowners and ensure they hold valid certificates, and to provide for repatriation if the shipowner fails to do so
The RPS Rules provide a mechanism to protect Indian seafarers on Indian and foreign-flag ships, including safeguards for repatriation when the owner fails to repatriate stranded seafarers. Licensed agencies must place only properly certified seafarers and may not charge recruitment fees.

21. In the event of the arrest of a ship in a foreign port, the crew's best immediate course of action is to:

  • A. Sell personal belongings to pay the arrest claim
  • B. Leave the ship and travel home at their own expense
  • C. Refuse to cooperate with port authorities
  • D. Continue to maintain the ship's safety, stay in contact with the Master, company and RPS agency, and contact DG Shipping or the Indian mission if wages or supplies are not provided
Answer: D — Continue to maintain the ship's safety, stay in contact with the Master, company and RPS agency, and contact DG Shipping or the Indian mission if wages or supplies are not provided
Training Circular 3 of 2025 lists arrest of the vessel or crew among the risks seafarers must be prepared for. The crew should keep the ship safe, remain in contact with responsible parties and seek help from DG Shipping, Indian missions and welfare organisations if their rights are at risk.

22. The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 was adopted by which organisation?

  • A. International Labour Organization
  • B. International Maritime Organization
  • C. International Transport Workers' Federation
  • D. International Chamber of Shipping
Answer: A — International Labour Organization
MLC 2006 was adopted by the International Labour Conference of the ILO in Geneva in February 2006. It consolidates and updates over 60 earlier maritime labour conventions and recommendations into a single instrument often called the seafarers' bill of rights.

23. MLC 2006 is often described as the 'fourth pillar' of the international maritime regulatory regime, alongside which three IMO conventions?

  • A. SOLAS, STCW and MARPOL
  • B. COLREG, Load Lines and Tonnage
  • C. SAR, FAL and CLC
  • D. ISPS, ISM and IMDG
Answer: A — SOLAS, STCW and MARPOL
MLC 2006 complements the three key IMO conventions, SOLAS, STCW and MARPOL, by setting minimum standards for seafarers' working and living conditions, and is therefore referred to as the fourth pillar of maritime regulation.

24. How many Titles is MLC 2006 divided into?

  • A. Five
  • B. Three
  • C. Six
  • D. Four
Answer: A — Five
The Regulations and Code of MLC 2006 are organised in five Titles: minimum requirements to work on a ship; conditions of employment; accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering; health protection, medical care, welfare and social security; and compliance and enforcement.

25. Title 1 of MLC 2006 deals with:

  • A. Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship
  • B. Compliance and enforcement
  • C. Social security protection
  • D. Accommodation and catering
Answer: A — Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship
Title 1 sets the minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship: minimum age, medical certificate, training and qualifications, and recruitment and placement. Title 2 then covers conditions of employment such as the employment agreement, wages, hours and leave.

26. Under MLC 2006, the minimum age for employment or work on board a ship is:

  • A. 17 years
  • B. 18 years
  • C. 15 years
  • D. 16 years
Answer: D — 16 years
Regulation 1.1 and Standard A1.1 prohibit the employment, engagement or work on board a ship of any person under the age of 16. Higher age limits apply to night work and hazardous work.

27. Under MLC 2006, night work by seafarers under what age is prohibited, subject to limited exceptions for training?

  • A. 18
  • B. 21
  • C. 16
  • D. 17
Answer: A — 18
Standard A1.1.2 prohibits night work of seafarers under the age of 18, with night defined as a period of at least nine hours starting no later than midnight and ending no earlier than 5 a.m. Exceptions may be made for approved training programmes.

28. Under MLC 2006, the maximum period of validity of a medical certificate for a seafarer under 18 years of age is:

  • A. 1 year
  • B. 6 months
  • C. 5 years
  • D. 2 years
Answer: A — 1 year
Standard A1.2.7 sets a maximum validity of two years for medical certificates, except that for seafarers under the age of 18 the maximum period of validity is one year. A certificate of colour vision may be valid for up to six years.

29. If a seafarer's medical certificate expires in the course of a voyage, under MLC 2006 it continues in force until:

  • A. The flag State issues a new certificate
  • B. The ship returns to its home port, however long that takes
  • C. The next port of call where a qualified medical practitioner is available, provided the period does not exceed three months
  • D. The end of the seafarer's contract
Answer: C — The next port of call where a qualified medical practitioner is available, provided the period does not exceed three months
Standard A1.2.9 allows a medical certificate that expires during a voyage to continue in force until the next port of call where a medical practitioner recognised by the Party is available, provided that the period does not exceed three months.

30. To which of the following ships does MLC 2006 NOT apply?

  • A. A passenger ship engaged in commercial activities
  • B. An oil tanker on coastal trade
  • C. A bulk carrier on international voyages
  • D. A warship or naval auxiliary
Answer: D — A warship or naval auxiliary
Article II of MLC 2006 applies the Convention to ships ordinarily engaged in commercial activities, but excludes warships and naval auxiliaries, ships engaged in fishing, ships of traditional build such as dhows and junks, and ships navigating exclusively in inland or sheltered waters.

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