(1) A candidate to be eligible for promotion, as a Commissioned Wardmaster 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 upto a maximum of one year in exceptional cases;
(b) be a Sick Berth Chief Petty Officer of not less than 1 year’s service in that rank and have obtained adequate experience in that rank;
(c) have passed the prescribed course of instruction.
(2) Before a candidate is selected to undergo the prescribed course, he must;
(a) be qualified under Regulation 181:
(b) be a Sick Berth Chief Petty Officer or a Sick Berth Petty Officer who has passed the examination for Sick Berth Chief Petty Officer;
(c) have passed the educational test for Branch Rank.
(3) Candidates who satisfy all the conditions of sub-regulation (1) may be considered for promotion to Branch Rank.
(4) 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 further opportunity to qualify if still otherwise eligible, and may be given his original position on the on the course roster, provided he satisfies the following conditions:-
(a) recommended for a further trial by the Commanding Officer of the ship or establishment concerned; and
(b) continuously recommended for Branch Rank under Regulation 181;
If accepted, he shall be required to take the full course and the examination, and on qualifying, may be considered for promotion along with other eligible sailors.