How to Join Merchant Navy: Career Guide, After 12th, Courses, Eligibility, Medical Requirements, Salary

How to Join a Merchant Navy in India

The following can be followed by an aspirant if he/she wants to join the Merchant Navy in India. The candidate can follow the below steps during the school level to prepare themselves to join the Merchant Navy

1. The student must finish Class 12 board exams with a mandatory subject combination of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
2. Maintaining normal vision and clear eyesight is mandatory, however, glasses up to plus or minus 2.5 are allowed.
3. Students are also required to complete a ship-training course prior to employment. The course is usually short-term where the candidates are taught basic security concerns of voyaging.

How to Join Merchant Navy after 10^th 

After graduating from high school, aspiring candidates must fulfil a number of prerequisites in order to join merchant navy after 10th , which are listed below:

• The applicant must, first and foremost, be an Indian citizen and this is applicable to both men and women. 
• After clearing entrance exams, candidates are then required to clear few medical examinations as well.
• They are then required to prepare themselves for a pre-sea training after graduating from class 12 by doing so post which they are then required to work towards achieving the status of able-bodied seaman. 
• Then, after passing the COC test, they should try to advance to the position of bosun. 
• Candidates are then prepared to serve as the ship's captain, a chief officer, followed by a 2nd Officer and finally they should clear the DG shipping entrance exams to become a Deck Officer.

How to Join Merchant Navy after 12^th 

Since Merchant Navy courses are offered under UG, PG, Diploma and Certificate levels, the eligibility criteria for different courses vary. Each degree has different eligibility criteria depending on the hierarchy of the course.

Here are some common requirements for Merchant Navy courses for different levels,

• For undergraduate Merchant Navy courses, the aspiring candidates must have completed Class 12 with Science stream in the following subjects - Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. For Postgraduate Merchant Navy courses, students should clear their graduation in a relevant subject with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA.
• The minimum age allowed is between 17 to 25 years.

Since there are different types of diploma courses available, the criteria within the category vary.

• The aspiring candidates should not be over the age of 25 - 28 years.
• For one-year diploma courses, the student must have passed a 10+2 level of examination with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English as compulsory subjects.
• For two-year diploma courses, the students must have passed Diploma in Electronics Engineering/ Marine Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering/ Electrical Engineering/ Shipbuilding Engineering with at least 50 per cent marks.

Maritime Courses

Some of the top courses that can be pursued in order to join the Merchant Navy are listed below for your reference,

Certificate Course Maritime Catering

Certificate Course in Maritime Catering is a certification course or holding diploma for a duration of one year which is full-time.

Diploma in Nautical Science

A diploma in Nautical Science is a full-time Diploma course for a duration of one year in Nautical Science. Eligibility includes 10+2 with Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry or an equivalent examination with 55% from a recognized board.

BE Marine Engineering

B.E in Marine Engineering course is the study that involves the production, design, development and maintenance of sea equipment which are used in boats, ships, submarines or any other water transport.