Merchant Navy Courses After 12th: Eligibility, Salary, Exams, and Admission Process

The Merchant Navy is a promising career choice for those who dream of working on ships and exploring life at sea. It offers a unique lifestyle, attractive salaries, and long-term career stability. Students can begin their journey into this field right after completing Class 10 or 12 by enrolling in specialised diploma or degree courses.

India has one of the youngest populations in the world, with over 66% aged between 18 and 35, has a large pool of English-speaking, educated youth. This makes Indian candidates ideal for roles in global industries, especially in the merchant shipping sector.

With the global shipping industry expanding, there is significant growth potential for those trained in the Merchant Navy. Whether one aims to become a deck officer or marine engineer or logistics and supply chain specialist, proper training and aptitude can lead to a rewarding international career. This blog explores the available courses after the 12th, covering eligibility, entrance exams, salary expectations, and the admission process in detail:

How To Become a Merchant Navy Officer After 12th?

The Merchant Navy is a civilian fleet that operates ships to transport cargo and passengers across international sea routes. It plays a crucial role in global trade, ensuring the movement of goods and people between countries. Merchant Navy personnel work under strict international safety standards to provide secure and efficient maritime operations.

Unlike the Indian navy, the Merchant Navy is not involved in defence or combat operations. Instead, it supports international Commerce by operating various types of vessels, such as container ships, oil tankers, and passenger liners. Private shipping companies typically employ professionals working in the Merchant Navy.

Students who have completed 10th grade can begin their journey in the Merchant Navy by enrolling in pre-sea training institutes. These institutes provide foundational training in navigation, seamanship, and marine engineering, which prepares them for entry-level positions such as deck cadets or ratings in shipping companies.

For students aspiring to become officers or marine engineers, completing 12th grade with a focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) is essential. At this stage, students often ask: How to get admission in Merchant Navy after 12th?

The answer lies in applying to approved maritime academies that offer professional degrees. These Merchant Navy after 12th courses provide the specialised knowledge and training required for higher-ranking roles on ships, including deck or engine officers.

Students can follow a step-by-step Merchant Navy selection procedure:
Step 1: Individuals must complete Class 12 with a minimum of 60% marks in the Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) stream.

Step 2: Candidates need to appear for the Merchant Navy entrance exam such as:

• Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)
• Hindustan Maritime Training - Online Entrance Test (HMT-OET)
• All India Merchant Navy Entrance Test (AIMNET)
• Indian Maritime University - Common Entrance Test (IMU-CET)
• Tolani Maritime Institute - Birla Institute of Technology and Science Entrance Exam (TMI-BITS EE)

Step 3: After qualifying, students can enrol in Merchant Navy courses after 12th Science, or Merchant Navy courses after 12th Commerce such as:

• Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Marine Engineering
• Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Marine or Naval Architecture
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nautical Science or related fields
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Note: Below is a detailed list of popular Merchant Navy courses available after 12th.

Step 4: For better career growth, they may pursue postgraduate (Master’s) courses in specialised maritime or engineering fields.

Step 5: Lateral entry is available to candidates in their first year of an engineering degree or those holding a diploma in a relevant field. Sponsored entry is also an option, where shipping companies sponsor candidates’ education and training with job placement guarantees.

Best Merchant Navy Courses After 12th

After Class 12, students can choose from a variety of diploma and undergraduate-level courses related to the Merchant Navy. Each course is designed to focus on different aspects of ship operations.
These programmes help students understand the fundamentals of working at sea, including areas like navigation, marine machinery, and safety procedures.

Once they complete a Merchant Navy course, candidates become eligible for roles such as Marine Engineer, Deck Officer, or Marine Officer. We have provided a detailed list of courses with Merchant Navy qualification in India, duration and more:

Note: Some institutes may have their own entrance exams or screening process.

How To Apply for Merchant Navy After 12th?

Just like other professional courses, this field also has Merchant Navy requirements after 12th that candidates must meet. It is the student’s responsibility to fulfil all the Merchant Navy eligibility criteria after 12th before joining the course. Some of the key Merchant Navy requirements and responsibilities are explained below:

• To become a Captain in the Merchant Navy, candidates must complete and pass the Intermediate Course as a basic eligibility for Merchant Navy after 12th.
• Merchant Navy officers typically work in two main departments — engineering and deck. Their primary duties involve managing operations and leading teams on board.
• Although they hold managerial positions, officers are also expected to support their team members in hands-on tasks and technical work when needed.
• Officers are responsible for preparing navigation reports and analysing weather and sea conditions to ensure safe passage.
• They should also be capable of supervising ship operations and maintaining onboard machinery to ensure the vessel runs efficiently and safely.

Merchant Navy Courses After 12th Fees

Merchant Navy fees vary depending on the institute and the course chosen. For example, the fees for a Diploma in Nautical Science range from approximately INR 4,00,000 to INR 8,00,000. The BSc in Nautical Science course fees range between INR 2,25,000 and INR 10,00,000. Meanwhile, BTech in Marine Engineering fees can be from INR 9,00,000 up to INR 19,00,000. Generally, the costs depend on the college’s reputation and facilities.

Merchant Navy Salary After 12th

Salaries of various Merchant Navy officers vary by designation. The average annual salaries (in INR) are as follows:

Key Takeaways

The Merchant Navy offers a promising career option for students after completing Class 12, providing global exposure, high salaries, and long-term job stability. With a wide range of diploma and degree courses available, students can step into roles such as deck officers, marine engineers, or logistics specialists depending on their qualifications and chosen course. As the international shipping industry continues to grow, well-trained Indian seafarers are in high demand—making this a valuable and future-ready career path.

FAQs

Q1. What is the work of the Merchant Navy?

A1: The primary work of the Merchant Navy, also known as the Merchant Marine, is the commercial transport of goods and, occasionally, passengers by sea. It's a crucial part of the global shipping industry, facilitating international trade.

Q2. Which course is best for the Merchant Navy after 12th?

A2: After completing 12th, several courses can lead to a career in the Merchant Navy, including a BTech in Marine Engineering, a BSc in Nautical Science, and a Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS).

Q3. How to join the Merchant Navy after 12th?

A3: To join the Merchant Navy after 12th, you need to complete your 12th-grade education with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as core subjects. Then, you need to clear entrance exams, such as IMU CET or AIMNET.

Afterwards, you'll need to enrol in a DG Shipping-approved Maritime Training Institute (MTI) for a Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering or Nautical Science. Finally, you'll need to pass a medical examination and potentially a competency exam before joining a ship.

Q4. Which one is better, the Merchant Navy or the Indian Navy?

A4: The decision between joining the Indian Navy or the Merchant Navy is based on what individuals want from their career. The Indian Navy gives people a chance to serve their country, maintain discipline, and get involved in significant national duties.

Meanwhile, serving with the Merchant Navy can include traveling across international routes, opening the way for a more competitive starting salary, and giving access to various jobs in the global maritime industry.

Q5. What is the salary in the Merchant Navy?

A5: The Merchant Navy offers a wide range of salary options, typically ranging from a starting stipend of around INR 20,000 to 50,000 per month for cadets. Senior officers, such as Captains and Chief Engineers, can earn up to INR 8,65,000 to 20,00,000 per month. Note that the salary range is wide due to rank, vessel, and company

Q6. How to become a Captain in the Merchant Navy?

A6: Start as a deck cadet, gain sea experience, pass exams, and obtain a Master’s Certificate of Competency.

Q7. What is the duration of Merchant Navy courses?

A7: Some courses are as short as 6 months for General Purpose Rating (GPR) courses. Others can take up to 4 years to complete a bachelor's degree in fields such as Marine Engineering or Nautical Science. Diploma courses, such as the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS), are typically one year long.

Q8. Is the Merchant Navy a government job?

A8: No, the Merchant Navy is not generally considered a government job. It's primarily a private sector industry involving commercial shipping, with personnel employed by various shipping companies.

Q9. Which exam is for the Merchant Navy?

A9: The primary entrance exam for joining the Merchant Navy in India is the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU-CET).
It is a national-level test conducted annually by the Indian Maritime University for admission to their Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS), BSc (Nautical Science), and BE/BTech (Marine Engineering) courses.

Q10. How to get admission in the Merchant Navy?

A10: To join the Merchant Navy, the process generally involves checking eligibility criteria, appearing for entrance exams like IMUCET, and then undertaking pre-sea training and acquiring the necessary certifications and licenses

Q11. What is the difference between the Merchant Navy and the Indian Navy?

A11: The key difference between the Merchant Navy and the Indian Navy lies in their primary functions.
The Indian Navy is a military force responsible for national defence and maritime security, while the Merchant Navy is a civilian fleet that focuses on commercial shipping and global trade.