Merchant Navy – Get to Know Merchant Navy Courses and Institutes In India

The opportunity to travel across the world and the patriotism to serve for the nation attracts many youngsters to make a career in the Merchant Navy. But one must note that Merchant Navy is a complete different platform as compare to navy, because it offers commercial services, while Navy is largely involved in the defense of a nation.

The Merchant Navy works as the strength of character of the international trade, carrying cargo, and, deliver goods from one country to another. So, one must remind that without the merchant navy, the import-export business in every spot would come to a grinding halt. Here in this article, we will discuss everything about Merchant Navy India including eligibility criteria for merchant navy course, applicable jobs, career opportunity, prestigious merchant navy institute in India, and much more.

What is Merchant Navy? A Brief About the Post

Merchant Navy is one of the best fields for those aspirants who want to earn big and travelling through oceans for months and a year does not bother you. Merchant navy is a fleet of ships, which is responsible for moving heavy goods from one country to another. It is one such fundamental parts of international trade, a majority of the import and export are done through ships.

A career in Merchant Navy can be most favorable if you are looking for worthwhile jobs. Candidates can join Merchant Navy India via three different modes at any level starting after class 10 to graduation.

Available Merchant Navy Courses in India

Check out the list of some of the most popular Merchant Navy courses.

How to Get Into Merchant Navy After Completing Class 12^th

After passing class 12, you can choose and study the following merchant navy courses:

• B.Sc. Nautical Science
• B.E. Mechanical Engineering
• B.E. Marine Engineering
• B.E. Harbour & Ocean Engineering
• B.E. Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering
• B.E. Civil Engineering
• B.E. Petroleum Engineering
• B.E. Electrical & Electronics Engineering
• B.Sc. Marine Catering
• Electro Technical Officer Course

How to Get Into Merchant Navy After Completing Class 10^th

Merchant navy courses you can enroll after 10th include:

• Near Coastal Voyage (NCV)
• Commercial Diving
• Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
• G.P. Rating

Merchant Navy India: Criteria of Eligibility

Merchant Navy courses are being offered in at UG, PG, Diploma and Certificate levels, so the eligibility criteria for different courses vary.

Eligibility Criteria for Merchant Navy Bachelor Courses:

1. Must have completed class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
2. Must have achieved 60% marks in 12^th.
3. The minimum age limit is 17 to 25 years.
4. Unmarried Indian citizens are allowed (male or female).
5. Normal vision is required but glasses up to plus or minus 2.5 might be acceptable.  
6. Admission is completed through an entrance followed by a screening test and a main written examination.
7. After clearing the exam, candidates need to go for an interview and a medical test.
8. You also need to complete a ship-training course prior to the employment.

Eligibility Criteria for Merchant Navy PG Courses:

1. For Merchant Navy MBA courses, the upper age limit criteria is 25 years whereas, for GME the upper age limit is 28 years.
2. For GME, candidates should hold a BE degree in Naval Architecture/ Mechanical Engineering.
3. And for MBA courses, candidates with any bachelor degree from a recognized university are considered eligible for the course.

Eligibility Criteria for Merchant Navy Diploma Courses:

1. Applicants should not be over the age of 25 - 28 years.
2. For most of the one-year diploma courses, candidates are required to pass their 10+2 level of examination with PCM and English as compulsory subjects.
3. While, for two-year diploma courses, one must have passed Diploma in Electronics Engineering/ Marine Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering/ Electrical Engineering/ Shipbuilding Engineering with at least 50% marks.

Eligibility Criteria for Merchant Navy Certificate Courses:

1. The age of the applicant must be in between 17.5 to 25 years.
2. Must have scored at least 40% marks in class 10 with Science, English and Maths as main subjects.

Medical Fitness Requirement for Merchant Navy Course

Candidates applying for any of the Merchant Navy must meet up and fulfil the medical fitness requirements are as under:

1. Must be medically fit including hearing and eyesight.
2. They must have a normal vision (6/6) in each eye separately.
3. It is required that the candidates produce a certificate for medical fitness by authorised authorities.

Merchant Navy India Admission Process

Candidates can apply for these Merchant Navy courses mostly on the basis of scores achieved in the entrance exams. Check the list of entrance exams and apply for them as per your eligibility:

Entrance Exams for Merchant Navy

After completion of 12th class and passed board with the minimum aggregate scores, interested candidates can appear for the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET) exam or the All India Merchant Navy Entrance Exam. These exams are generally held in the month of May. The other exams that can also serve as a gateway for Marine Engineering are JEE Advanced, MERI Entrance Exam, and TMISAT.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 10th for GP rating Course.
• For Deck cadet and Engine cadet: Class 12^th with PCM completed with 60%.

Application process for these exams can be done via online mode. Along with the application form, you would also require to submit a brief summary of 100 words that states why they wish to apply for Merchant Navy.

The exam contains a MCQ pattern test spanning over subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, General Knowledge and Reasoning.

Merchant Navy Institutes in India – Have a List of Them

There are some govt. as well as private institutes, which offer training for merchant navy as well. These institutes prepare potential students for jobs such as deck cadets and marine engineering jobs. Check a list of Merchant Navy Institute in India and apply for them.