Home  >  News & Articles  >  Merchant Navy in India: Courses, Eligibility, Types, Top 10 Institutes, Fees, Merchant Navy vs Indian Navy and Salary 2023

Nikita Parmar

Updated on 24th January, 2024 , 11 min read

Merchant Navy in India: Courses, Eligibility, Types, Top 10 Institutes, Fees, Merchant Navy vs Indian Navy and Salary 2023

New updates: The following are the new updates for the candidates for the merchant navy-

Financial aid based on the candidate's final qualifying mark is provided.   

The Merchant Navy's new selections begin in session 2023-2024.   

Limited seats are available in each cohort, and complete job placement is assured.   

There are additional educational loan options and opportunities available for 10th, 12th, and ITI, as well as diploma and degree diesel mechanical/electrical students.

Merchant Navy Overview

The Merchant Navy is a maritime sector in charge of moving cargo and passengers over sea routes. After Class 10, candidates can also study Pre-sea Nautical diploma courses.  Candidates who have completed their Class 10+2 can follow Merchant Navy courses and apply for bachelor's degrees. Admission to merchant navy programs is based on merit, as determined by admission tests. Candidates in the merchant navy are educated about shipping management, cargo machines, maritime communication, and navigation fundamentals. In India, the average merchant navy pay ranges from INR 4.5 LPA to INR 5.5 LPA for freshers to INR 37 LPA for experienced personnel

What is the Merchant Navy?

A merchant navy, sometimes known as a merchant marine, is a fleet of commercial boats registered in a given jurisdiction. Seafarers of various grades, as well as members of maritime labor unions, are obliged under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) to carry commercial mariner's documents on commercial ships. Following their involvement in World War I, King George V conferred the moniker "Merchant Navy" to the British commercial shipping fleets; since then, numerous other nations have adopted that designation or a similar "Merchant Marine." 

Merchant Navy Highlights

The following table gives details about the merchant navy-

Particulars 

Details 

Profession Name 

Merchant Navy

Industry

Maritime Industry

Official Website

http://www.indianmerchantnavy.com/#

Merchant Navy Age Limit 

  • Minimum: 17 years
  • Maximum: 25 years

Registration Link

http://www.indianmerchantnavy.com/apply/

Merchant Navy Course Eligibility

The candidate must have completed Class 12 with physics, chemistry, and math as required subjects.

Merchant Navy Entrance Exam

Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET), JEE Advanced, All India Merchant Navy Entrance Test (AIMNET)

Merchant Navy Specialization 

  • B.Tech Marine Engineering
  • B.Tech Ship Building
  • Diploma in Nautical Science

Merchant Navy Top Colleges in India

  • Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI)
  • Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies
  • International Maritime Institute (IMI)
  • Chennai School of Ship Management
  • AMET university

Required skills in Merchant Navy

Making Decisions, Working in Groups, Practical understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, Leadership, and Excellent Communication.

Merchant Navy Salary

  • Starting level: INR 4.50 - 5.50 LPA
  • With experience: INR 37 LPA

Top Recruiters in India

Shipping Corporation of India, Essar. Chowgule Shipping, Great Eastern Shipping

What is Merchant Navy in India?

The current Indian Merchant Navy began before India's independence from the United Kingdom when the SS Loyalty sailed from India to Britain in 1919. In terms of total DWT, India now ranks 15th in the world. India now contributes around 12.8% of officers and 14.5% of ratings to the global maritime community. This is one of the tallest in the world. There are several commercial shipping businesses in India. The Shipping Corporation of India, Essar, and others are among them.

Why pursue Merchant Navy?

Merchant Navy officers are in high demand in today's globe. During the globalization period, countries interact with international trade, which is mostly carried out by shipping businesses. A career as a Merchant Navy officer will open up several job opportunities in India and abroad. The following are some of the reasons why one should pursue a career in the merchant navy-

  1. In India, merchant navy officers have a variety of career options. 
  2. In India, an experienced merchant navy's pay might be as high as INR 37 LPA. 
  3. The employment of Indian sailors on Indian and international ships has increased by 35%. 

Merchant Navy Types

There are several types of merchant navy officers. The following two major kinds of Merchant Navy officers-

Engineering Officer

An engineering officer is in charge of the ship's or cruise ship's machinery maintenance. They are in charge of the propulsion, fuel, and waste systems. An engineering officer is in command of the ship's machinery.

Deck Officer

A deck officer is in charge of steering and maneuvering the ship, as well as navigation and communications. The function of a deck officer on a cargo ship is critical since he or she is in charge of ship navigation, cargo handling, strategic and safe management, and delivery, as well as the maintenance of any potentially life-saving equipment.

How to join the Merchant Navy in India?

If an applicant wishes to join the merchant navy in India, he or she should do the following-

  1. The student must pass the Class 12 board examinations with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as required subjects.
  2. Maintaining normal vision and clean eyesight is required; however, glasses with a plus or minus 2.5 are permitted.
  3. Prior to employment, students must also attend a ship-training course
  4. The training is typically brief, with applicants learning about fundamental travel security considerations.

The mentioned link is for the Merchant Navy Institute in India- https://mnavynms.com/.

How to do Merchant Navy after 12th in India?

Because Merchant Navy courses are provided at the UG, PG, Diploma, and Certificate levels, the qualifying criteria for each course change. Depending on the course structure, each degree has distinct qualifying conditions. The following are some common prerequisites for Merchant Navy courses at various levels-

  1. Aspiring applicants for undergraduate Merchant Navy studies must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as obligatory subjects. 
  2. Students should have completed their degree in a relevant topic with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or an equivalent CGPA to be eligible for postgraduate Merchant Navy courses.
  3. The permitted age range is 17–25 years.

Because there are several types of diploma courses offered, the requirements within each category vary, which are as follows-

  1. Aspiring applicants should be between the ages of 25 and 28.
  2. A 10+2 level examination including physics,chemistry,mathematics, andenglish as obligatory topics is required for one-year diploma programs.
  3. Students must hold a diploma in Electronics Engineering/ Marine Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering/ Electrical Engineering/ Shipbuilding Engineering with at least 50% marks to be eligible for two-year diploma programs.

Read more about How to join Merchant Navy after 12th in India.

Merchant Navy Admission Process

Candidates can join any merchant navy firm after passing Class 10 examinations and completing a pre-sea nautical diploma program. Candidates must be physically fit in addition to having Merchant Navy certifications. The following are some of the steps to follow-

Step 1: Pass Classes 10 and 12

To sit for an entrance test or enroll in a Merchant Navy short-term course, candidates must have completed Class 10 and Class 12 from a recognized board with minimum grades in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. 

Step 2: Take the Merchant Navy Entrance Exams

To obtain a well-recognized degree in the Merchant Navy, one must pass admissions tests. Many colleges and institutions admit students depending on their 12th-grade passing rate. The Merchant Navy entrance exams are as follows-

JEE Mains: Joint Entrance Examination Main
JEE Mains: Joint Entrance Examination Advanced
HIMT-OET: Hindustan Institute of Maritime Online Entrance Test
AIMNET: All India Merchant Navy Entrance Test
IMU-CET: Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test
TMI-BITS-EE: Tolani Maritime Institute- Birla Institute of Technology and Science Entrance Examination

*The MERI admissions exam and the TMISAT Entrance Exam are two more Merchant Navy admissions exams that individuals can take after graduating from high school.

Step 3: Enroll in a Merchant Navy Bachelor's Program

To pursue a successful career in the Merchant Navy, a bachelor's degree program in a comparable specialization is required. A Merchant Navy bachelor's program might last anywhere from three to four years. One can register for the following Merchant Navy bachelors programs-

B.E. in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
B.E. in Offshore Engineering
B.Tech in Civil Engineering
B.Tech in Marine Engineering

Step 4: Enroll in the Merchant Navy Master's Program

If the candidate has completed their bachelor's degree, they can seek a job right away or pursue a master's degree if they so desire. Some master's programs for the Merchant Navy are as follows-

M.E. in Marine Engineering
M.E. in Naval Engineering
M.E. in Offshore Engineering
M.Tech in Dredging and Harbour Engineering
M.Tech in Marine Engineering
M.Tech in Naval Architecture 

Step 5: Lateral Entry (LE) Placements

Lateral Entry into the second year of Marine Engineering in the Merchant Navy For maritime design projects certified by the Directorate General of Shipping, direct admission is also available. There are two ways to ensure LE placements in Marine Engineering Programs-

  1. Successful completion of the first year of Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
  2. A diploma in related engineering courses is necessary, with a minimum grade of roughly 60%.

Step 6: Acceptance into the Merchant Navy by way of Sponsorship

Students who apply to prestigious maritime studies institutes may be eligible for sponsored admission to Merchant Navy courses. They can seek assistance from big marine organizations. If these organizations recognize a student's promise, they will fund both their education and their involvement in the shipper naval force.

Merchant Navy Eligibility Criteria

The following are the qualifying requirements for the merchant navy-

Merchant Navy Eligibility Criteria for a Bachelor's Degree

  1. Candidates must have finished their 12th grade with at least 60% in physics, chemistry, and math.
  2. Candidates must be between the ages of 17 and 25 to meet the Merchant Navy age restriction for bachelor's courses. 

Merchant Navy Eligibility Criteria for Postgraduate Degree

  1. A candidate for GME must hold a B.E. degree in Naval Architecture or Mechanical Engineering.
  2. A candidate must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university in order to pursue an MBA in the Merchant Navy.
  3. The maximum age limitations for MBA and GME are 25 and 28 years, respectively.

Merchant Navy Eligibility Criteria for 6-Month Merchant Navy Courses

  1. The age range should be 17–25 years. 
  2. Candidates must have passed Class 10 with Science, English, and Math as primary subjects with a minimum of 40% marks. 

Merchant Navy Eligibility Criteria for Diploma Courses

  1. Candidates for a one-year diploma must have passed their 12th-grade examinations in PCM and English.
  2. Candidates for two-year diploma courses must have a diploma with a minimum aggregate score of 50% in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or Shipbuilding Engineering.
  3. A candidate's age should be between 25 and 28 years old.

Merchant Navy Medical Fitness

  1. Candidates must have normal vision (6/6) in both eyes and medically adequate hearing.
  2. Applicants must have the required physical fitness certificates
  3. Candidates applying for any of the Merchant Navy courses must be physically fit.

Tattoos are permitted in the Merchant Navy

Tattoos and body piercings are not forbidden in the Merchant Navy. In fact, sailors are the progenitors of nautical tattoo culture. The maritime academies, on the other hand, have severe disciplinary criteria and expect officers to possess specific characteristics. As a result, if an applicant has odd piercings and tattoos, it may be considered unacceptable.

List of Top 10 Merchant Navy Bachelor Degree Courses and Duration

There are several Merchant Navy courses available for students with scientific, commercial, or artistic backgrounds.  After finishing Class 12, you can apply for the merchant navy courses listed below-

Course Name 

Duration

BBA Logistics & Supply Chain Management

 

3 Years 

B Sc Nautical Science

B E Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering


 

4 Years

B E Marine Engineering

B E Harbour & Ocean Engineering

BBA Shipping

3 Years 

B E Mechanical Engineering

 

4 Years

B E Civil Engineering

B Sc Marine Catering

3 Years 

B E Petroleum Engineering

4 Years

List of Top 10 Popular Merchant Navy Specializations 

The following is the list of popular Merchant Navy specializations-

Course Name 

Duration

GP Rating course




 

6 months

Saloon Rating Course

Deck Rating Course

NCV course

Engine Rating course

Diploma in Nautical Science

1 Year 

STCW Basic Safety Training

5 days

Electro-Technical Officer Course

4 months

Commercial Diving Course

 

6 months

General Purpose Rating Course

Merchant Navy Internships

To obtain a better understanding of a career as a Merchant Navy officer, it is normally useful to enroll in an internship. Regardless of how much practical learning experience the institution or university provides, working for a firm or organization will provide with real-world experience. Internships are an excellent way to get experience. Many government and commercial shipping enterprises offer Merchant Navy internship programs.

Merchant Navy Fee Structure 

The Merchant Navy fees in India vary based on a variety of things, such as the college one chooses, the program, the term, and so on. The following table provides a comprehensive picture of the Merchant Navy course fees in India with respective colleges-

Name of the College

Course

Fees (INR)

 

Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training (MANET)

B.Sc. (Nautical Science) 

Rs. 9 Lakh

B.Tech (Marine Engineering)

Rs. 13 Lakh

 

 

Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies

B.Tech. in Marine Engineering

Rs. 15 Lakh

Graduate Marine Engineering (GME)

Rs. 5 Lakh

B.Sc. in Nautical Science

Rs. 12 Lakh

 

Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI)

B.Tech Nautical Technology

Rs. 13 Lakh

B.Tech Marine Engineering

Rs. 14.30 Lakh


 

 

Vels Academy of Maritime Studies

B E Marine Engineering

Rs. 10 Lakh

B Sc Nautical Science

Rs. 8 Lakh

Graduate Marine Engineering (GME)

 

Rs. 3 Lakh

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DME)

 

Institute of Technology & Marine Engineering (ITME)

B.Tech in Marine Engineering

Rs. 3 Lakh

B.Tech in Nautical Science 

Rs. 2 Lakh 

List of Top 10 Colleges of Merchant Navy

These colleges have been authorized by the Directorate of Shipping, and the Ministry of Surface Transport of the Government of India has approved them for personnel training. The following are some of the best Merchant Navy colleges in India with their locations-

Name of the College

Location

Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training (MANET)

Pune

Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies

Mumbai

Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI)

Pune

International Maritime Institute (IMI) 

Delhi

Vels Academy of Maritime Studies

Chennai

B.P. Marine Academy Navi

Mumbai

Coimbatore Marine College (CMC)

Coimbatore

Institute of Technology & Marine Engineering (ITME)

Kolkata

Indian Maritime University (IMU)

Chennai

TS Rahaman

Mumbai

Merchant Navy Salary 2023

Merchant Navy is one of the top paying jobs in India and throughout the world. Sailors are paid well since working on a ship is considered a challenging profession. The remuneration of a merchant navy officer in India varies according to their position in the company's hierarchy. Naval officers are typically awarded six-figure salaries. The average merchant navy pay in India for freshers is between INR 4.5 LPA and INR 5.5 LPA. Once in the merchant navy, a candidate's pay might rise to INR 37 LPA on average.  

Salary of a Merchant Navy Officer in India After Completing Class 10

The beginning of the Merchant Navy income range from INR 25,000 and INR 30,000 and it is subject to vary depending on tests and achievements.

Salary of a Merchant Navy Officer in India After Completing Class 12

After the 12th class, the lowest Merchant Navy compensation in India is INR 25,000 per month, while the maximum compensation is INR 10 lakhs per month. The following is a wage range for a merchant navy career-

Post

Qualification Requirements

Field Requisite

Average Merchant NAvy Salary (Approx) INR

G P Rating

Class 10

4 + 2 months of pre-sea course

Rs. 25k to 60k per month

Trainee Cadet

 

Class 12 along with Pre-Sea Nautical Diploma

1 year pre-sea course

 

Rs. 25k to 85k per month

Deck Cadet

18 months of service at sea 

3rd / 2ndOfficer

2nd Mate (FG) Certificate of Competency

18 months of service at sea 

Rs. 1.50 - 3 lakh per month

Chief Officer

1st Mate (FG) Certificate of Competency

18 months of service at sea 

Rs. 4 - 6 lakh per month

Captain

Master (FG) Certificate of Competency

4 to 5 years of experience

Rs. 8.65 - 20 lakh per month

Read more about Merchant Navy Salary 2023.

Merchant Navy Required Skills

Aside from academic and medical qualifications, a candidate should have specific interpersonal qualities that will help him or her perform well at work. The following are the qualifications that a candidate must possess in order to be a successful Merchant Navy officer-

Leadership and Decision-Making

Good leadership abilities are required since there will come a moment when you will be in control and crew members will look to you for big and effective choices. You will be able to handle your work obligations and crew members effectively if you have leadership qualities.

Mental Fortitude

A voyage in the Merchant Navy might be lengthy without ever seeing land. This can be harmful to individuals who are not psychologically strong enough. As a result, a Merchant Navy officer must have strong mental fortitude.

Strong Physical Strength

A Merchant Navy officer's career requires extensive travel across the oceans and seas, and they should be physically fit and powerful so that they can stay afloat and avoid seasickness.

Candidates should also have a great enthusiasm for sailing, patience, problem-solving skills, logical and analytical thinking, and a practical grasp of physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

Difference Between Merchant Navy and Indian Navy

Many candidates mistake the Merchant Navy for the Indian Navy while deciding on a career as a Merchant Navy officer. To have a better understanding, the table below differentiates between the Merchant Navy and the Indian Navy-

Factors

Merchant Navy

Indian Navy

Meaning 

It refers to commercial marine services that include both products and people shipping to and from various locations across the world.

It is a country's naval military branch, which is also known as the Defense Navy.

Payscale

International organizations like the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) set wage standards in navy commerce.

It is decided on the candidate's rank and overall work experience. Furthermore, the pay scale is determined by the laws of the country and differs in each country. 

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have at least a 60% aggregate in Class 10 and 12 as well as a 60% English score in Class 10 or 12.

Candidates have at least a 60% in Science (PCM). In addition, the candidate must have a minimum of 50% in English and be unmarried at the time of application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it permissible to use a phone in the merchant navy?

Ans. All social networking sites, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other messengers, will be prohibited at navy facilities and ships. Smartphones were not authorized onboard ships or naval locations. As a result, phones are not permitted in the merchant marine.

Is the Merchant Navy a transitory position?

Ans. The bulk of shipping companies work on a contract basis, hence the merchant navy employment is neither permanent nor temporary. Your employment type, however, is determined by your employer’s contract and terms.

What exactly does the Merchant Navy do?

Ans. The merchant navy’s mission is to transport goods from one point to another. It is the most vital aspect of the global economy. Ships deliver more than 90% of all merchandise worldwide.

Are Tattoos permitted in the merchant marine?

Ans. Yes, tattoos are permitted in the merchant navy. In commercial ships, tattoos and piercings are not forbidden.

What are the requirements for Merchant Navy?

Ans. A candidate must have passed a Class 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized.

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