The Merchant Navy is the global commercial shipping fleet responsible for transporting cargo, fuel, passengers, and goods across international waters. It is NOT a defence force — unlike the Indian Navy. It is a civilian industry that handles over 90% of world trade. Indian seafarers are among the most sought-after globally due to their skills and training standards.

Yes, completely different. The Indian Navy is a military organisation under the Ministry of Defence — its job is national security. The Merchant Navy is a commercial industry — its job is international trade and transportation. Merchant Navy officers are civilian professionals who earn in USD, travel the world, and are not bound by defence service rules.

Absolutely yes. Girls can join the Merchant Navy across all roles — Deck Officers, Marine Engineers, Electro-Technical Officers, and even as GP Rating crew. Many women are successfully sailing as officers on international ships. Some shipping companies actively prefer diverse crews. There is no gender restriction in DG Shipping approved courses.

The minimum age varies by course. For GP Rating (after 10th), the minimum age is 17.5 years. For DNS, B.Sc. Nautical Science, and B.Tech Marine Engineering (after 12th), the minimum age is 17 years. The maximum age is typically 25 years at the time of course commencement, with relaxation for reserved categories.

Modern ships are equipped with advanced safety systems, navigation technology, and trained crews. Safety standards are governed by international conventions like SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW. While the sea can be challenging, proper training and strict safety protocols ensure seafarers work in a protected environment. Shipping is considered one of the safer industrial sectors globally.

After 12th with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths), the top choices are: (1) DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science) — 1 year, fastest entry, leads to Captain. (2) B.Sc. Nautical Science — 3-year degree, for those wanting a full qualification. (3) B.Tech Marine Engineering — 4-year engineering degree, engine side, leads to Chief Engineer. The best course depends on your budget, timeline, and career preference. We offer free counselling to help you choose.

For DNS and B.Sc. Nautical Science: Minimum 60% in 12th (PCM) and 50% in English. For B.Tech Marine Engineering: Minimum 60% in 12th (PCM). For GP Rating (after 10th): Minimum 40% overall and 40% in English. Some private institutes may have slightly different cutoffs. We recommend contacting us to check the exact requirements for your target college.

Eyesight requirements vary by course and department. For DNS and B.Sc. Nautical Science (Deck Department): 6/6 unaided vision in both eyes is required — no glasses, no contact lenses, no Lasik. For B.Tech Marine Engineering (Engine side): Vision requirements are more lenient — spectacles are allowed. For GP Rating: Standard vision requirements apply. Always get a medical check from a DG Shipping approved doctor before applying.

Extremely important. Only DG Shipping (Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Govt. of India) approved institutes are authorised to issue certificates that allow you to work on international ships. Graduates from non-approved institutes cannot get CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) — the essential document for sailing. Always verify DG Shipping approval before applying to any maritime institute.

Yes! If you have a B.Tech in Electrical, Electronics, EEE, or Instrumentation Engineering, you can join as an ETO (Electro-Technical Officer) after completing a DG Shipping approved short course. Mechanical engineers can also explore certain conversion pathways. Chemical engineers may qualify for certain tanker fleet roles. Contact us for specific guidance based on your engineering background.

IMU CET is mandatory for admission to courses at IMU (Indian Maritime University) campuses and most IMU-affiliated private maritime institutes across India. However, some DG Shipping approved institutes have direct admission without IMU CET — typically for GP Rating and some diploma programs. For DNS and B.Sc. Nautical Science at top institutes, IMU CET is almost always required.

IMU CET does not have a fixed cutoff. Admission is based on merit rank among all applicants. A score above 120/200 generally gives a good rank for most institutes. For top maritime institutes (like IMU Chennai, Tolani Maritime), you may need 140+ to secure admission in popular courses. Cutoffs vary annually based on difficulty and number of applicants. We provide mock tests and preparation guidance to help you maximise your score.

IMU CET is conducted once per year (typically in May/June). As long as you meet the age eligibility criteria (below 25 years for most courses), you can attempt the exam every year. Many students clear it on their first attempt with proper preparation. Some students take it 2–3 times. There is no restriction on number of attempts — only age matters.

Required documents: (1) Class 10 Mark Sheet and Certificate, (2) Class 12 Mark Sheet and Certificate, (3) Recent passport-size photograph, (4) Scanned signature, (5) Valid government ID (Aadhaar/Passport). Additional documents needed at time of admission: Medical fitness certificate from DG Shipping approved doctor, Passport, STCW Basic Training certificates (if applicable).

Yes. The IMU CET score/rank can be used to apply to multiple institutes that participate in the IMU CET counselling process. During centralised counselling, you fill in your preferred institutes and courses in order of priority. Seat allocation is done based on your rank and available seats. You can also apply directly to some private institutes using your IMU CET rank.

A fresh Deck Cadet (after DNS or B.Sc. Nautical Science) can earn between ₹25,000 to ₹60,000 per month depending on the shipping company and type of vessel. Some premium shipping companies with sponsorship offer better packages. The important thing is — expenses onboard are ZERO (accommodation, meals, transport all covered), so your entire salary becomes savings.

The Captain (Master Mariner) is the highest rank in the Deck Department. A Captain earns between ₹8 Lakh to ₹20 Lakh per month depending on the type of vessel, shipping company, flag of the ship, and years of experience. Tanker ship Captains typically earn the highest. This makes it one of the highest paying professions in India, especially combined with tax-free status.

Yes, for qualifying Indian seafarers. Under Section 10(6)(viii) of the Income Tax Act, a resident Indian seafarer working on a foreign-going ship is exempt from paying income tax if they spend at least 183 days outside India in a financial year. Most international ship crew qualify for this benefit automatically. This makes Merchant Navy one of very few Indian professions with tax-exempt income — a huge financial advantage.

Yes, significant benefits: (1) Zero living expenses onboard — food, accommodation, laundry covered. (2) Flights/travel to/from ship paid by company. (3) 2–4 months paid leave after every contract. (4) Medical expenses covered during contract. (5) Provident Fund and insurance by many companies. (6) Some companies provide retention bonuses and performance incentives. The actual take-home savings rate is extremely high.

Many Merchant Navy officers achieve financial independence by age 25–28. A Deck Cadet earning ₹30,000/month with zero expenses can save ₹3–3.5 Lakh per 6-month contract. By the time they become a 3rd Officer (salary ₹1–1.5L/month), they can save ₹7–10 Lakh per contract. At Chief Officer level, savings of ₹25–40 Lakh per contract are possible. Combined with tax exemption, wealth accumulation is exceptionally fast.

A typical Merchant Navy contract is 4–6 months onboard, followed by 2–4 months of leave. So in a year, a seafarer is home for 3–4 months. While this requires a family-supportive mindset, many seafarers find the quality of time spent with family during long leaves far more enriching than seeing them briefly every evening after a tiring office day.

Yes, most modern ships have satellite internet (VSAT). However, bandwidth is limited and usage policies vary by company. WhatsApp voice/video calls, emails, and basic browsing are generally possible on most vessels today. Newer vessels often have better connectivity. During port stays, local SIM cards provide faster internet access.

Officers typically follow a watch-keeping system: 4 hours on duty, 8 hours off duty. A common schedule is 4AM–8AM + 4PM–8PM watch, giving 8 hours off for rest and personal time. Day workers (Bosun, electricians) typically work 8-hour shifts. Officers are also involved in port operations, drills, and paperwork beyond watch duties. Maritime law limits maximum working hours to ensure seafarer wellbeing.

Key mental preparedness: (1) Accepting periods of separation from family — communication is possible but physical presence is not. (2) Living in a structured, disciplined environment with a small crew. (3) Adapting to different cultures — ship crews are often multinational. (4) Developing patience and resilience in a confined working environment. (5) Finding joy in the unique privilege of travelling the world as a professional. Most seafarers describe the sea career as profoundly character-building.