The Directorate General of Maritime Administration approves and maintains a list of service stations authorised to carry out testing, inspection, and servicing of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) equipment, including Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs), Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders, and associated radio communication equipment fitted on board Indian-flag vessels. This approval function is exercised under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, and in fulfilment of India's obligations under SOLAS Chapter IV and SOLAS Chapter XI-1.

Regulations III/20 and IV/15 of SOLAS, read with the LSA Code and IMO Performance Standards, require that GMDSS distress equipment carried on board a vessel be periodically serviced by a shore-based maintenance facility approved by the flag State Administration. The DGMA grants approval to service stations that satisfy prescribed criteria relating to technical competency, test equipment, approved service engineers, and quality assurance. Each approved station is issued a Certificate of Approval (CoA) valid for a stipulated period and subject to intermediate audit. The current list is set out in the table below and is updated as new approvals are granted, renewals are processed, or stations are closed.