📘 Detailed Notes (Exam-Oriented)

1. Background

• Competency Certificates (Manager, Overman, Mining Sirdar, Surveyor, etc.) are issued under:
  • Coal Mines Regulations (CMR), 2017
  • Metalliferous Mines Regulations (MMR), 1961
• Certificates prove that a person is qualified and legally competent to hold a statutory mining position.
• This circular issued updated bye-laws to govern examinations, eligibility, and grant of certificates.

2. Legal Basis

• Mines Act, 1952 → empowers DGMS to grant competency certificates.
• CMR 2017 & MMR 1961 → require holders of specific posts (e.g., Manager, Overman, Surveyor) to be certificate holders.
• This circular provides the exam bye-laws approved by the Board of Mining Examinations (BME).

3. Key Provisions of the Bye-laws

1. Examination Conduct
   • DGMS conducts examinations through Board of Mining Examinations (BME).
   • Written + Oral (viva voce) components.
   • Computer-based tests introduced gradually.
2. Eligibility Criteria
   • Minimum educational qualifications (e.g., Diploma/Degree in Mining, ITI for Sirdar, Survey course).
   • Minimum practical mining experience required.
   • Age and medical fitness requirements.
3. Types of Certificates
   • Manager’s (First Class & Second Class, Coal/Metal).
   • Overman’s (Coal).
   • Mining Sirdar’s (Coal).
   • Surveyor’s (Coal & Metal).
   • Winding Engine Driver’s.
   • Gas Testing Certificates.
4. Examination Syllabus
   • Based on relevant mining legislation, safety, mining practices, first aid, and management.
   • Detailed syllabus annexed in the bye-laws.
5. Validity & Renewal
   • Certificates valid for lifetime unless suspended/cancelled.
   • Holder must remain medically fit.
6. Disciplinary Provisions
   • Certificates can be suspended/cancelled for misconduct, negligence, or accident liability.

4. Importance

• Provides legal clarity on competency certification under CMR & MMR.
• Ensures only trained, experienced persons hold statutory positions.
• Strengthens DGMS control over manpower quality.
• Standardizes examination system across coal & metalliferous mines.

5. Exam-Oriented Key Points

• Circular 01 of 2021 = Bye-laws for competency certificates.
• Covers both CMR 2017 & MMR 1961.
• Exams conducted by Board of Mining Examinations (BME).
• Certificates: Manager, Overman, Sirdar, Surveyor, WED, Gas Testing.
• Written + Oral exams mandatory.
• Eligibility = education + mining experience.

📝 25 MCQs – DGMS Legis. (Exam) Circular No. 01 of 2021
Q1. Circular 1 of 2021 deals with:

1. Inundation safety
2. Heat wave precautions
3. Competency certificate bye-laws
4. Dump slope safety
5. None

✅ Answer: 3
Solution: It prescribes bye-laws for competency exams.
Q2. Competency certificates are issued under which Act?

1. Factory Act, 1948
2. Mines Act, 1952
3. Electricity Act, 2003
4. Labour Act, 1970
5. None

✅ Answer: 2
Solution: Mines Act, 1952 governs competency.
Q3. Which regulations govern competency certificates?

1. CMR 2017 & MMR 1961
2. CMR 1957 & MMR 1945
3. Petroleum Rules
4. Explosives Rules
5. None

✅ Answer: 1
Solution: Competency covered under CMR 2017 & MMR 1961.
Q4. Which body conducts mining competency exams?

1. UGC
2. DGMS directly
3. Board of Mining Examinations (BME)
4. State Govt.
5. IITs

✅ Answer: 3
Solution: Exams conducted through BME.
Q5. Manager’s competency certificate is of how many classes?

1. One
2. Two – First Class & Second Class
3. Three
4. Four
5. None

✅ Answer: 2
Solution: Manager’s certificate has 1st & 2nd Class.
Q6. Which of these is a type of competency certificate?

1. Gas Testing
2. Overman
3. Surveyor
4. Winding Engine Driver
5. All of the above

✅ Answer: 5
Solution: All are statutory competency certificates.
Q7. Gas Testing certificate is valid for:

1. Only 1 year
2. Lifetime (unless suspended/cancelled)
3. 5 years only
4. Till age 60
5. None

✅ Answer: 2
Solution: Competency certificates are lifetime valid.
Q8. Certificates can be cancelled for:

1. Misconduct
2. Negligence
3. Accident liability
4. All of the above
5. None

✅ Answer: 4
Solution: All reasons are valid.
Q9. Which subject is included in exam syllabus?

1. Mining legislation
2. Mining practices
3. First Aid & Safety
4. Management principles
5. All of the above

✅ Answer: 5
Solution: Exam syllabus is broad & comprehensive.
Q10. Overman’s certificate is required in:

1. Metal mines
2. Coal mines
3. Oil mines
4. Quarries only
5. None

✅ Answer: 2
Solution: Overman = coal mines statutory post.
Q11. Surveyor’s certificate can be for:

1. Coal mines
2. Metalliferous mines
3. Both coal & metal
4. None
5. Oil fields

✅ Answer: 3
Solution: Surveyor’s certificate is issued for both.
Q12. Which is NOT a statutory certificate?

1. Winding Engine Driver
2. Mining Sirdar
3. Safety Officer
4. Overman
5. Surveyor

✅ Answer: 3
Solution: Safety Officer requires appointment, not certificate. Q13. Minimum qualification for Manager (Coal, 1st Class) is:

1. ITI in Mining
2. Diploma/BE in Mining + Experience
3. Any degree
4. MBA
5. None

✅ Answer: 2
Solution: Mining degree/diploma + experience required.
Q14. Which circular introduced bye-laws in 2021?

1. Legis. Circular No. 1 of 2021
2. Tech. Circular 2 of 2021
3. SOMA Circular 3 of 2021
4. OH Circular 4 of 2021
5. None

✅ Answer: 1
Solution: Legislative (Exam) Circular 01 of 2021.
Q15. Who grants competency certificates?

1. Mine owner
2. DGMS
3. MoLE
4. State Govt.
5. None

✅ Answer: 2
Solution: Certificates granted by DGMS.
Q16. Examinations are of which type?

1. Written only
2. Oral only
3. Written + Oral
4. Practical only
5. None

✅ Answer: 3
Solution: Both written & oral.
Q17. Mining Sirdar exam requires:

1. No experience
2. ITI + practical experience in coal mines
3. MBA only
4. Any qualification
5. None

✅ Answer: 2
Solution: Practical mining experience mandatory.
Q18. WED certificate is required for:

1. Crane driver
2. Winder driver in shafts
3. Dumper operator
4. Loader driver
5. None

✅ Answer: 2
Solution: Winding Engine Driver certificate required for shaft winders.
Q19. Competency certificates are important for:

1. Safety compliance
2. Legal appointment
3. Quality of supervision
4. Accident prevention
5. All of the above

✅ Answer: 5
Solution: All reasons valid.
Q20. Board of Mining Examinations functions under:

1. DGMS
2. Ministry of Mines
3. IITs
4. MoEFCC
5. None

✅ Answer: 1
Solution: BME works under DGMS.
Q21. Which regulation defines statutory posts?

1. CMR 2017
2. MMR 1961
3. Both CMR & MMR
4. Petroleum Rules
5. None

✅ Answer: 3
Solution: Statutory posts are defined in both sets.
Q22. Certificates can be suspended if:

1. Holder unfit medically
2. Holder convicted in accident case
3. Holder negligent
4. Holder misconducts
5. All of the above

✅ Answer: 5
Solution: Suspension possible in all cases.
Q23. Examinations for certificates are conducted:

1. By DGMS annually or as scheduled
2. Once in 10 years
3. Only on demand
4. By State Boards
5. None

✅ Answer: 1
Solution: Conducted regularly by DGMS.
Q24. Why were bye-laws updated in 2021?

1. To modernize exam system
2. To align with CMR 2017
3. To standardize across coal & metal mines
4. All of the above
5. None

✅ Answer: 4
Solution: All reasons apply.
Q25. Main aim of Circular 1 of 2021 is:

1. Prevent heat accidents
2. Guide issuance of competency certificates
3. Water danger plan
4. Dump safety
5. None

✅ Answer: 2
Solution: It prescribes bye-laws for certificates. ✅ Memory Hack:
👉 “1 = First Step to Job” → Circular 1 of 2021 = Competency Certificate Bye-laws (first step for statutory post).