Merchant Navy In India 2025 - Course Overview, Eligibility, Salary, Syllabus, How to Join and Job Opportunities

What is the Merchant Navy? 

The Merchant Navy is a commercial fleet of ships that carry goods, cargo, and passengers to and from the world. The Merchant Navy is different than the Indian Navy which is responsible for the national defense. And it is indispensable for trade, with nearly 90 percent of the world’s goods moving across the water. Cargo ships, oil tankers, passenger ships, container ships are all part of the Merchant Navy. They're maintained and manned by trained personnel including officers, engineers, crew, etc. managing to effectively move between destinations.

Merchant Navy career offers high salaries, adventure, and an opportunity to travel across countries. But it comes with challenges, too, as sailors spend months alone out at sea, away from wives, husbands and partners. Candidates complete relevant courses and undergo training in maritime institutes to enter the Merchant Navy. They train to become Deck Officer, Marine Engineer, Electro-Technical Officer, GP Rating Crew, after this they can work with their skills. It is a hard yet rewarding job that comes with a nice pay and good prospects even in the future.

Read all about the Merchant Navy in India 2025 in this article below. Get all your questions answered on how to apply for the course, what is merchant navy, how to study, and the available job opportunities here.

Why join the Merchant Navy?

• High Salary – The salary in the Merchant Navy starts from ₹3.5 – 5 LPA and the senior officers can earn up to ₹63 LPA.
• Tax-Free Income – You are not liable to pay income tax in India, if you are out at sea more than 183 days.
• Adventure & Travel – While you work, you get to travel to different countries for free.
• Job Certainty – Job openings are always available in shipping, leading to reliable employment.
• Fast Career Advancement – Promotions can come faster than in other fields with experience and taking exams.
• No Work at Home – You work only aboard the ship, unlike regular office jobs — your time at home is free.
• Perks & Benefits – When you are working on the ship, you will receive free food, accommodation, and medical facilities.
• Easy Career Options Abroad – You don’t need to search for jobs in foreign shipping companies as they usually hire up the ship officers with better salaries and benefits.
• Opportunity to Work on Advanced Ships – Working on advanced ships means working with high-tech machinery, which is a bonus for all the technology-lovers out there.

Benefits of a Merchant Navy Career

The Merchant Navy is provided with high wages, tax-free income for seafarers working at sea for 183 or more days, and some also travel overseas. With excellent job security, fast-tracked career growth, and the option to retire early, it’s a great option for people ready to explore the world and gain some quality experiences while saving their next paycheck.

• High Salary – One of the highest paying sectors in India. Experience and promotions lead to significant salary boosts.
• Tax-Free Income — Seafarers who spend at least 183 days in a financial year at sea are not subjected to income tax in India.
• International Travel – Excellent chance to travel to different countries while you are working.
• Early Retirement – Due to high salaries and early savings, many professionals retire in their 40s or 50s.
• Adventure & Growth – Fast-paced work environment with excellent career advancement and training programs.
• Job Security – Merchant shipping has a steady global demand.

Eligibility Criteria for Merchant Navy

There are different age and educational eligibility criteria for various courses to join the Merchant Navy.

Age Requirements

Age required should be between 17 to 25 years for Diploma in Nautical Science

• B.Sc in Nautical Science – 17 to 25 years
• Engineering from 6–9in (17 cm) up to 2426 Occupational health and safety manager.
• With post-graduation qualification — Maximum age limit not exceeding 28 years Graduates Marine Engineering (GME) – Not more than 28 years
• Electro-technical Officer (ETO) – Maximum 35 years
• GP Rating – 18 to 25 years

Educational Qualifications

Check the educational qualification criteria for merchant nay below.

Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)

• Must have passed 12th with:

For AEMA (Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy)

• 70% in PCM is required

B.Sc in Nautical Science

• Should have completed 12th std with:

Marine Engineering | B. Tech

• Should have completed 12th class with:

Lateral Entry Option

• Candidates having 3 years of B. tech Marine Engineering
• In 10th or 12th you need to get more than 50% in English

Graduate Marine Engineering (GME)

• Must possess Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Naval Architecture
• Above 55% in the degree course
• Minimum marks should be 50% in 10th or 12th in English

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)

• Must have passed in 12th grade with:
• Must have completed either:

GP Rating

• Must have completed 10th class with the following:

For ITI Candidates

• Over 40% of ITI final-year students
• More than 40% in English

Merchant Navy Syllabus

The Merchant Navy Exam consists of questions from various subjects including Physics, Maths, English, General Knowledge etc. If you want to score well follow the below topics to study:

How to join the Merchant Navy?

You can either get a degree and then decide, or change to some field to be able to enter the appropriate degree. After that, you would have to attend good training, qualify for medical and some selection tests and then, apply to some shipping companies for jobs. When chosen you will enter onto a ship and have a job.

How to join the Merchant Navy after 10th, 12th, as well as after graduation?

To join the merchant navy after 10th or 12th, following must be considered.

Merchant Navy After 10th

If you have cleared your 10th grade then there is one career in the Merchant Navy that you can pursue, and that is through the GP Rating Course to join the Merchant Navy. But those who join after 12th PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) have more career opportunities.

GP Rating Course: A 6-month pre-sea training course for aspirants, found for entry-level jobs on deck or in a ship's engine department. As an individual, you can begin working on a deck crew or engine room crew when you finish this course and proceed with work experience and move up the ladder.

Institutes Providing GP Rating Course

• NUSI Goa – Among the famous maritime training institutes which offers this course.
• “At Seven Islands – The Best coaching for Merchant Navy”

Merchant Navy After 12th

You can join the Merchant navy in one of two departments: After completing 12th with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics).

Navigation Department

This department drives and navigates the ship. Courses to Become a Deck Officer / Captain If you wish to become a deck officer or a captain, you can choose either:

Nautical Science Diploma (DNS)

• One year of theoretical training and then 1 year and 6 months of onboard training.
• Once training is complete, applicants can sit for exams to be an Officer on Deck.
• This course will provide a faster route to become a Navigation Officer.

B.Sc in Nautical Science

• This is a 3 years course at undergraduate level, which is focused on navigation, seamanship and cargo handling.
• Become a Deck Officer once you have completed the course and gained some experience.

Engine Department

Those interested in the technical and mechanical facets of ships may join the engine department.

B.Tech in Marine Engineering

• One of many 4-year degree programs that teaches students about ship machinery, engines, and maintenance.
• All candidates who have completed the course will begin to work on ships as Marine Engineers, and eventually get promoted to Chief Engineer.

Merchant Navy After Graduation

The Merchant Navy is also accessible after pursuing a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree via specialization programs.

For Mechanical Engineers – Graduate Marine Engineering ( GME ) Course

• 1 Year course for Graduate in Mechanical or Naval Architecture Engineering.
• Candidates can work as Trainee Marine Engineers in ships after this course and later become the chief engineer.

For Electrical Engineers – Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) course

• This is a 4-6 months course for graduates of Electrical or related Engineering fields.
• Once the course is completed, candidates are appointed as Electro-Technical Officers, wherein they have to take care of electrical systems of the ship.

All these programs help engineering pass outs to join the Merchant Navy and start their career at sea.

Steps to join the Merchant Navy

There are certain steps one must take to Join the Merchant Navy. Here is a Basic Step By Step Instructions that will help you understand the process better.

Step 1: Verify the Eligibility Criteria

You should refer to the eligibility criteria for the course you want to apply for before applying.

• Check that you meet the age, education and medical standards.
• Different eligibility rules apply to different courses, so choose wisely.

Step 2: To join Merchant Navy you are required to  select your route

• You can join the Merchant Navy in many different ways depending on your qualifications.
• Select the right course for you after completing 10th, 12th PCM, or Graduation.

Step 3: Prepare for the IMU-CET examination

You need to qualify for the IMU-CET (Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test) if you are getting inducted after class 12th (B.Tech, B.Sc, or DNS).

• This Examination is an assessment of your Maths, Physics, English and General Knowledge.
• The sooner you start, the better the rank you can score.

Step 4: Apply for Sponsorship or College Entrance Exams

• Shipping companies sponsor students as early as before the IMU-CET.
• With a sponsorship, we're guaranteed to train and be placed.
• Without sponsorship, apply to DG Shipping approved maritime colleges for admission.

Step 5: Pass the Medical Test

You need to do a medical test after passing the IMU-CET or getting sponsorship.

• This test can only be conducted by a doctor who is approved by the DG Shipping.
• To qualify, you need good eyesight, physical fitness and no serious health problems.

Step 6: Sign Up for a Maritime Institute

Based on the requirements, if you clear your medical test, you can work in any DG Shipping-approved maritime training institute.

• Some universities sponsor and recommend colleges, while others accept anyone.
• You must use your common sense when select an institute for better education and jobs.

Step 7: Complete STCW Courses

Before you join a ship, you need to take STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) courses.

• These brief courses cover safety protocols as well as firefighting, first aid and personal survival skills.
• These are Mandatory courses for completion before Sea Training.

Step 8: Getting On-Campus Placements (B. Tech Marine Engineering)

• B.Tech in Marine Engineering should be done through sponsorship, else, you must go for campus placements.
• Shipping companies come to colleges to hire students for training and work.
• Submit early, and practice your interviews!

Step 9: Finish your training and enlist on a ship

After completing your pre-sea training and other compulsory courses, you are prepared to join a ship.

• If you've got got sponsorship, you will get on a similar company ship.
• If you do not have a sponsorship, apply to the shipping companies for placement.
• Once you become part of a ship you will be trained as a trainee officer and/or engineer and get the necessary experience until you are promoted later as a full-time officer.

If you are following the above simple steps, you can successfully start your engineering career in Merchant Navy!

Merchant Navy Courses

Here are the Courses Available for Merchant Navy

Merchant Navy Salary Overview

Merchant Navy Salary in India 2025 range from ₹25,000 for cadets up to ₹20,00,000 per month for senior professionals like Chief Engineers and Captains. Merchant Navy Salary on tanker ships is generally higher compared to other vessels, and pay most lucrative for international routes rather than coastal ones.

• Salaries for higher-positioned officers like Chief Engineers and Captains are widely different from the entry-level jobs.
• Tanker ships are the highest-paid jobs available in the field of maritime industry in comparison to general cargo ships, bulk carriers, and container ships.
• Salary for officers on international routes are better than coastal routes.
• Similarly, for Indian seafarers, the salaries earned while spending 183 or more days in a financial year at sea are also tax-free.

Merchant Navy Salary in India 2025

The Merchant Navy Salary in India 2025 is known for offering pays high salaries along with global exposure and an adventure-filled lifestyle. It is vital to international commerce, moving goods and products around the planet. If you like travel, adventure and non-taxed income this section of work is for you.

Salaries vary based on rank, experience, ship type, and employer credibility, with senior roles like Merchant Navy Captain Salary and Merchant Navy Chief Engineering Salary up to ₹ 20,00,000 every month.

Salary Breakdown by Company in 2025

Renowned shipping companies, such as Maersk Line, MSC, Anglo-Eastern, and Synergy Maritime, are willing to pay anywhere between ₹1,00,000 and ₹10,00,000 a month. These companies also offer bonuses, medical coverage, and pension plans.

Here is the list of top Recruiters for merchant Navy