(1) A candidate to be eligible for promotion as a Commissioned Bandmaster 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) have qualified in the prescribed course of instruction.
(2) Before a candidate is selected to undergo the course referred to in clause (b) of subregulation (1), he must pass a preliminary professional examination.
(3) To be eligible to sit for the preliminary professional examination, a candidate must:
(a) be qualified under Regulation 181;
(b) be at least a Leading Bandsman, passed professionally for Petty Officer;
(c) have passed the educational test for Branch Rank.
(4) Candidates who pass the preliminary professional examination shall be placed on a roster for selection to undergo a further course and examination for the Commissioned Bandmaster in accordance with the date of passing the preliminary professional examination. In making the selection, due consideration shall be given to seniority, percentage of marks obtained in the preliminary professional examination and their reports on the form specified in Appendix III.
(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 with reference to the date of passing the latter examination.
(6) Candidates who satisfy all the requirements of sub-regulation (1) may 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 condition: -
(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.
Section II – Promotion to Senior Commissioned officer and above