(1) A candidate to be eligible for promotion, as a Commissioned Stores Officer (Catering) must:
(a) be not more than 37 years of age on the date of prom otion: provided that the Chief of the Naval Staff may relax the age limit upto a maximum of one year in exceptional cases;
(b) have qualified in the prescribed professional course or examination.
(2) Before a candidate is selected to take the professional course and examination, he must :
(a) be qualified under Regulation 181;
(b) be a Leading Cook or Leading Steward, qualified professionally for Petty Officer Cook or Petty Officer Steward;
(c) have completed 7 years of service:
(d) have passed the modified 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 Branch Rank who fails in the prescribed qualifying course may, on the expiry 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 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 all the courses and examination, and on qualifying may be considered for promotion along with other eligible sailors.