{"id":3366,"date":"2026-09-21T07:10:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T07:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/?p=3366"},"modified":"2026-09-21T07:10:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T07:10:17","slug":"learn-how-to-join-merchant-navy-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/learn-how-to-join-merchant-navy-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Join Merchant Navy in India (Complete 2026 Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
This guide covers how to join Merchant Navy in India after 10th, and how to get a job in Merchant Navy in India after 12th or engineering. Choosing the correct course based on your education and budget and being aware of the various other requirements, such as the age limit, is crucial before beginning the course, which can get expensive and time-consuming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This one-stop-complete guide helps you know what course to choose, where to study, what the approximate fee is for the course, the average package, and how and when the application process begins.<\/p>\n\n\n
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What Is Merchant Navy and Who Can Join It?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Merchant Navy refers to trade ships, tankers, and other commercial vessels used for transporting goods and people rather than a nation’s military fleet. India has one of the world’s largest merchant navies, with citizens working on ships registered in different countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Any Indian citizen who meets the required physical and academic criteria can join Merchant Navy, regardless of their gender, religion, or ethnicity. While there are some standard entry requirements, they vary depending on the course and specialization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The different courses one can pursue to join Merchant Navy depend on the entry requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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After 10th or After 12th PCM Course:<\/strong> These courses have stricter eligibility conditions, such as age and physical fitness requirements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Graduate or Postgraduate Degree Course:<\/strong> One needs a bachelor’s degree to pursue this course from an approved university; there are no age restrictions for these courses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Medical and other Specialization Courses:<\/strong> Apart from the core disciplines of deck and engine, one can pursue a course in medical specialization to become a doctor in the Merchant Navy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Is the Eligibility to Join Merchant Navy Courses?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Eligibility criteria depend on the courses and specializations; however, there are a few standard requirements to join Merchant Navy courses, such as age, educational qualifications, subjects required, and marks, and physical and medical fitness.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Criterion<\/strong><\/td>
Typical Requirement<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Age limit<\/td>
17 to 25 years for most entry-level courses (some diploma routes allow up to 27-28)<\/td><\/tr>
Educational qualification<\/td>
10th pass (GP Rating) or 12th pass with PCM (Nautical Science, Marine Engineering)<\/td><\/tr>
Required subjects<\/td>
Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) for officer-track courses; Science and Maths for GP Rating<\/td><\/tr>
Minimum marks<\/td>
50-60% aggregate in PCM for officer courses; 40-50% in Science\/Maths\/English for GP Rating<\/td><\/tr>
Medical & eyesight<\/td>
6\/6 or 6\/9 vision without correction for deck roles (varies by course); no colour blindness<\/td><\/tr>
Physical fitness<\/td>
Minimum height ~150-160cm, BMI within range, no major physical disabilities, fit for sea service<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Besides tuition students should also plan for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Hostel and mess charges: \u20b98,000 to \u20b915,000 per month if these are not already included in tuition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Personal gear.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Examination and INDoS registration fees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
STCW certificate course fees: \u20b950,000 to \u20b91.5 lakh depending on the course.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Join Merchant Navy Top Colleges in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Indian Maritime University (IMU) has campuses in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam and Kochi. It also works with a network of institutions across India. These are some of the trusted and well-known centers for maritime education in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4-5 years to Fourth\/Third Engineer<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Onboard training or sea service is the element under-estimated by most first-time applicants. Even after completing classroom training, you’ll need a defined period of documented sea time before being eligible for officer competency exams – this sea time is what certifies a cadet to an officer, not the classroom course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merchant Navy Placement and Sponsorship<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When a shipping company commits, in writing, to taking you on as a cadet for your mandatory sea time after pre-sea training, it is called a sponsorship. Placement is the more umbrella term for when an institute or agency helps you find a ship and company to sail with, sponsored or otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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