(1) A candidate to be eligible for promotion, as a Commissioned Airman must: -
(a) be not more than 37 years of age on the date of promotion; provided that the Chief of the Naval Staff may relax the age limit up to a maximum of one year in exceptional cases;
(b) be a Petty Officer Airman (Aircraft Handler), (Safety Equipment), (Meteorological Observer), or (Photographer) or an Acting Petty Officer Airman (Aircraft Handler, (Safety Equipment), (Meteorological Observer), or (Photographer), or a Petty Officer Airman Fitter (Air Frame), (Engine) or Ordnance) or an Acting Petty Officer Airman Fitter (Air Frame), (Engine) or (Ordnance) or petty Officer Aircrewman with not less than one year service in the actual performance of duties in such ranks:
(c) have qualified in the prescribed course of instruction.
(2) Before a candidate is selected to undergo the course referred to in clause © of subregulation (1), he must:
(a) be qualified under Regulation 181;
(b) be qualified for advancement to Acting Petty Officer;
(c) Have passed the educational test for Branch Rank;
(d) Have passed the preliminary professional examination. This examination is to be held by a Board to be constituted according to the instructions issued by the chief of the Naval Staff.
(3) Before taking the preliminary professional examination, a candidate must:
(a) hold at least the Leading seamen and should have passed professionally for Petty Officer;
(b) have served for 4 years in a sea-going ship and/or a Naval Air Station.
Explanation. – In the case of existing Naval Air Arm sailors who have been transferred from the General Service and who are serving as such on 25th August, 1956, any deficiency in the required 4 years service in a sea-going ship and /or a Naval Air Station shall be deemed to have been waived.
(4) On passing the preliminary professional examination, a candidate shall be placed on a roster for selection to undergo the courses referred to in clause © of sub-regulation (1). The date of passing of candidates examined during the six monthly periods ending 31st May or 30th November shall be regarded as 31st May or 30th November respectively and the order on the roster shall be determined by these dates, the relative order in each half-yearly batch being determined by the seniority in rank on that date.
(5) The educational test may be taken either before or after the preliminary professional examination, but a candidate who has not passed the test before passing this examination shall be required to do so within 3 years of the date of passing the preliminary professional examination. If he does not do so, his name shall be removed from the roster. A candidate whose name has been so removed, and who subsequently passes the educational test, may have his name replaced on the roster, but his position thereon shall be determined by the date of passing the latter examination.
(6) Candidates who satisfy all the requirements of sub-regulation (1) shall be considered for promotion to Branch Rank.
(7) A candidate for the Branch Rank who fails in the prescribed qualifying course may, on the expiry of 2 years from the date of failure, be allowed a further opportunity to qualify if still otherwise eligible and may be given his original position on the course roster, provided he satisfies the following conditions.
(a) Recommended for a further trial by the Captain of the ship or establishment concerned, and
(b) continuously recommended for Branch Rank under Regulation 181.
If accepted for the course, he shall be required to take all the courses and examination, and on qualifying, he may be considered for promotion along with other eligible sailors.