SAGAR MEIN YOG (SMY)
Complete Wellness at Sea / Shore
Introduction & Background
Sagar Mein Yog (SMY) is a flagship holistic wellness initiative of the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. The initiative was established under DGS Order No. 19 of 2024 dated 27 November 2024 to create a structured framework for improving the overall wellness, resilience and quality of life of Indian seafarers.
Seafaring involves unique occupational, physical, emotional, social, climatic and psychological challenges arising from prolonged periods at sea, separation from families, demanding work environments, fatigue, stress, multicultural shipboard operations and continuously evolving professional responsibilities. SMY responds to these realities by institutionalising preventive wellness, behavioural preparedness and holistic well-being across the maritime ecosystem.
The initiative is aligned with the principles of seafarer welfare under the STCW Convention, the Merchant Shipping (STCW) Rules, 2014, the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006, and the broader objectives of Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. It also carries forward India's global leadership in Yoga by adapting wellness and yogic practices to the modern maritime training and seafaring environment.
Why SMY Matters
Promotes a preventive and structured approach to seafarer wellness rather than treating well-being only as a response to stress or crisis.
Addresses the physical, emotional, social, occupational, environmental, cultural and climatic realities of life at sea.
Supports wellness across the complete maritime career cycle: pre-sea, at-sea and post-sea.
Combines structured learning, self-paced digital access, assessments, participation tracking and certification through the SMY Learning Management System (LMS).
Strengthens safe, resilient, human-centric and sustainable maritime development in line with national maritime priorities.
Vision
To establish a holistic, accessible and sustainable wellness framework for Indian seafarers that strengthens physical fitness, emotional resilience, behavioural preparedness, social harmony, professional adaptability and overall quality of life across every stage of a maritime career.
Strategic Objectives
Holistic Wellness
Promote a multidimensional approach to well-being addressing the physical, emotional, economic, occupational, social, environmental, climatic, intellectual, cultural and spiritual needs of seafarers.
Mental & Emotional Resilience
Equip seafarers with practical tools for stress management, emotional regulation, self-awareness, mindfulness and resilience.
Physical Health & Preventive Well-being
Encourage fitness, nutrition, sleep awareness, healthy lifestyle practices and sustainable wellness habits suitable for life at sea.
Professional & Behavioural Preparedness
Strengthen work-life balance, adaptability, communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, career development and responsible maritime conduct.
Digital Accessibility
Provide standardised wellness learning through a self-paced digital platform with assessment, participation tracking and automated certification.
Institutional Integration
Embed SMY within maritime training and stakeholder systems through DGMA-approved MTIs, shipping companies, RPSL agencies, unions and other maritime organisations.
Continuous Improvement
Use feedback, participation data and implementation review to progressively strengthen the programme and its impact.
Journey of Sagar Mein Yog
| Date / Period | Milestone | Details / Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Nov 2024 | Formal inception of Sagar Mein Yog | DGS Order No. 19 of 2024 was issued, establishing SMY as a structured wellness initiative for Indian seafarers and constituting a multidisciplinary Task Force. This is the appropriate formal starting point of the initiative. |
| 17 Jan 2025 | DGS–NUSI MoU signed | A major institutional milestone. DGS entered into an MoU with the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) for supporting SMY. NUSI became a key funding/support partner for the programme, including events and subsequent implementation activities. |
| 30 Jan 2025 | SMY logo unveiled | The official SMY identity/logo was unveiled at Shipping Corporation of India, Mumbai, by Shri Shantanu Thakur, then Minister of State, along with Sagar Mein Samman-related activities. This gave the initiative its public visual identity. |
| 21 Feb 2025 | SMY taken to international maritime leadership | SMY was discussed/presented during interaction with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez in Mumbai in connection with the maritime/Green Shipping programme at the Westin Powai. The Task Force and the concept of seafarer wellness received international-level visibility. |
| 21 Jun 2025 – International Day of Yoga 2025 | Complete SMY modules released/promoted | The completed modules/programme material were released/promoted in connection with International Day of Yoga 2025, including an event associated with the Gateway of India. This was an important public rollout milestone, but should not be confused with the formal inception of SMY, which was 25 Nov 2024. |
| 06 Nov 2025 | DGS Circular No. 48 of 2025 issued | Formal guidelines for the Training of Trainers (ToT) under the Sagar Mein Yog initiative were issued to promote the physical, mental and emotional well-being of Indian seafarers. |
| 13 Nov 2025 | SMY LMS formally launched | One of the most important implementation milestones. The Sagar Mein Yog LMS was formally launched at Mangalore/MMD-related programme, with participation/support from DGS, NUSI and programme partners. The platform made structured SMY learning digitally accessible. |
| Nov 2025 onward | Digital learning becomes implementation mechanism | The LMS became central to implementation, providing online learning modules, assessments, tracking and eventual certification. Work continued on improving integration, user experience and reporting. |
| 15–17 Dec 2025 | First residential SMY Train-the-Trainer programme | The first major residential ToT was conducted at NUSI Holiday Homes, Lonavala. Around 50–56 trainers/master trainers participated. Rudresh Kumar Singh and Sushma Yenge were among the master trainers associated with the programme. |
| 19 Jan 2026 | MoU with Art of Living | SMY expanded its institutional/technical wellness ecosystem through an MoU with the Art of Living. This was part of building partnerships with recognised yoga/wellness organisations. |
| 20 May 2026 | DGS Training Circular No. 27 of 2026 | A major regulatory milestone. The Directorate introduced the standardised Sagar Mein Yog syllabus for approved pre-sea Maritime Training Institutes. SMY therefore moved toward institutionalised delivery within maritime training. |
| 21 Jun 2026 – International Day of Yoga 2026 | Major SMY IDY 2026 programme at SCI MTI, Powai | DGMA/DGS, SCI MTI and NUSI organised the IDY programme under the SMY umbrella. The theme was "Yoga for Healthy Ageing." Yoga activities and associated demonstrations such as Mallakhamba formed part of the programme. |
| 1 Jul 2026 | DGMA Circular No. 34 of 2026 – LMS operationalisation | Another major milestone. The circular operationalised the SMY LMS, including online course delivery, assessments, completion tracking, automated certification and integration with the DGMA/e-Governance ecosystem. The programme was intended to be available without course fee to eligible users. |
International Day of Yoga 2025 – Event Photographs
International Day of Yoga 2026 – Event Photographs
SMY Logo Launch & LMS Launch – Event Photographs
The 10 Wellness Dimensions of Sagar Mein Yog
The current SMY framework consists of ten structured wellness dimensions designed to address the multidimensional needs of trainee and serving seafarers:
1. Emotional/Mental Wellness
Mental health awareness, stress management, emotional intelligence, anger management and resilience.
2. Economic Wellness
Financial literacy, budgeting, savings, investment awareness, taxation basics and long-term financial stability.
3. Physical Wellness
Nutrition, exercise, sleep, healthy lifestyle practices, fitness and preventive health awareness.
4. Occupational Wellness
Shipboard adaptation, work-life balance, professional satisfaction, feedback, career growth and transition planning.
5. Social Wellness
Communication, interpersonal relationships, teamwork, conflict resolution, loneliness management and healthy digital habits.
6. Environmental Wellness
Sustainability awareness, responsible maritime practices, environmental stewardship and healthy interaction with the shipboard environment.
7. Climatic Wellness
Climate awareness, adaptation to varying climatic conditions, climate-related health risks and personal resilience.
8. Intellectual Wellness
Critical thinking, problem solving, risk awareness, information processing, continuous learning and cognitive development.
9. Cultural Wellness
Cultural sensitivity, respect for diversity, intercultural competence, inclusive shipboard behaviour and communication across cultures.
10. Spiritual Wellness
Mindfulness, self-awareness, meditation, breathwork, purpose, inner peace and ethical values.
Sagar Mein Yog Learning Management System (LMS-SMY)
The dedicated SMY LMS provides a centralised digital learning environment for the structured delivery of wellness and life-support modules to trainee and serving seafarers. The platform became operational with effect from 01 July 2026.
Self-paced digital learning across ten wellness dimensions
Total structured learning duration: approximately 19 hours and 14 minutes
Assessment-based learning and participation tracking
Automated digital completion certificate after successful completion of prescribed modules and assessments
Integration with the DGMA/DG Shipping digital ecosystem and eNavik seafarer profile linked with the respective INDoS number
No fee for the SMY LMS course
Applicability & Stakeholder Role
- Candidates pursuing pre-sea courses in DGMA-approved Maritime Training Institutes, in accordance with the applicable circulars.
- Indian seafarers covered under the LMS implementation framework and holding applicable DGMA seafarer credentials such as INDoS/CDC.
- Maritime Training Institutes to facilitate institutional readiness, trainee awareness and onboarding.
- Shipping companies, RPSL agencies, seafarers' unions and other maritime stakeholders to disseminate information and support participation.
The programme is designed to support wellness throughout pre-sea, at-sea and post-sea stages of the maritime career cycle.
Training & Capacity Building
Training and capacity building remain core components of SMY. The initiative supports structured learning through standardised pre-sea content, trainer development, guided wellness practices, workshops, awareness activities and digital modules. Capacity-building efforts are intended to create a sustainable pool of trained facilitators and institutional support across the maritime training ecosystem.
Standardised pre-sea SMY syllabus for approved MTIs
Training of Trainers (ToT) and capacity-building programmes for instructors and maritime faculty
Yoga, mindfulness and wellness awareness sessions for seafarers and trainees
Digital learning, case-based learning and reflective practices through the SMY LMS
Periodic stakeholder engagement, feedback and implementation review
Institutional & Financial Support
The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), through the Training Branch, facilitates and coordinates the implementation of Sagar Mein Yog (SMY) in collaboration with its institutional partners, maritime stakeholders, approved Maritime Training Institutes, seafarers’ organisations and other participating entities.
National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI)
NUSI supports Sagar Mein Yog as its Funding Partner, contributing towards programme implementation, capacity building, outreach, awareness activities, events and other initiative-related requirements.
Trijog
Trijog supports Sagar Mein Yog as its Knowledge Partner, contributing to the development and delivery of structured wellness content and supporting the digital learning framework of the SMY programme.
The Art of Living
The Art of Living supports Sagar Mein Yog as its Yoga Partner, contributing its expertise in yoga, wellness practices, training and capacity-building activities for the effective implementation of the programme.
Governance & Monitoring
DGMA oversight and coordination through the Training Branch.
Structured implementation through applicable Orders & Training Circulars
Participation and completion monitoring through the LMS
Assessment-based completion and digital certification
Stakeholder coordination with MTIs, shipping companies, RPSLs, unions and partner organisations
Periodic review and continuous improvement based on programme data, implementation experience and stakeholder feedback
Expected Outcomes
- Improved physical fitness, emotional resilience and overall quality of life of seafarers.
- Better stress management, mindfulness and behavioural preparedness.
- Stronger teamwork, communication and multicultural adaptability onboard vessels.
- Improved professional preparedness, work-life balance and career awareness.
- Greater awareness of financial, environmental, climatic and cultural wellness.
- Standardised and accessible wellness education across the Indian maritime training ecosystem.
- Digital participation tracking, assessment and certification at scale.
- A stronger culture of preventive wellness and human-centric maritime development.
Our Commitment
Sagar Mein Yog represents DGMA's commitment to strengthening the human dimension of maritime development. By integrating structured wellness learning, Yoga, mindfulness, behavioural preparedness, preventive well-being and digital accessibility, the initiative seeks to build a healthier, more resilient and professionally prepared Indian seafaring community.
Sagar Mein Yog
Complete Wellness at Sea / Shore
Official Social Media Links
YouTube
@SagarMeinYog ↗X (Twitter)
SagarMeinYog ↗Sagar Mein Yog
| No. of Year | Title | Issue Date | Downloadd/View |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMY LMS Seafarer User Manual. | 08-Sep-2026 | View (1.97 MB) PDF | |
| Brochures of Sagar Mein Yog (SMY) | 08-Aug-2026 | View (46.08 MB) PDF | |
| 34 of 2026 | Implementation of "Sagar Mein Yog" (SMY) Wellness Modules through Learning Management System (LMS) — req. | 01-Jul-2026 | View (5.31 MB) PDF |
| MoU between NUSI and VVKI (The Art of Living). | 30-May-2026 | View (437.17 KB) PDF | |
| 27 of 2026 | Introduction of Standardized ‘Sagar Mein Yog’ Syllabus for Implementation in All Approved Pre-Sea Maritime Training Institutes | 20-May-2026 | View (5.20 MB) PDF |
| 48 of 2025 | Trainins of Trainers (ToT) for "Sagar Mein Yog" Programme for Promoting Holistic Wellness among Indian Seafarers | 06-Nov-2025 | View (1.57 MB) PDF |
| MoU between DGS and NUSI. | 17-Jan-2025 | View (943.48 KB) PDF | |
| 19 of 2024 | Establishment of Task Force for nurturing and supporting the Directorate's initiative of "Sagar Mein Yog - Wellness at Sea / Shore " - reg. | 25-Nov-2024 | View (1.31 MB) PDF |
