How to Join Merchant Navy after 12th in India: Careers and Eligibility
The term “merchant navy” refers to commercial shipping such as container ships, tankers, bulk carriers, cruise ships, and others. It is a glamorous and exotic career option for people who wish to join Merchant Navy after completing their 12th. Today, the shipping industry handles a whopping 80% of global trade, as it is the most convenient and cost-effective method of bulk transportation.
To have a quick look at all the courses, click here.
Table of Contents
Departments in Merchant Navy after 12th
1. Deck Department
This department is primarily in charge of tasks such as ship navigation and watchkeeping operations such as mooring, un-mooring, grounding, and ballasting. Individuals in this department are also responsible for the upkeep of life-saving equipment such as life-rafts, lifeboats, and rescue boats.
One has to take up either B.Sc in Nautical Science or DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science) after class 12th to pursue this stream in Merchant Navy.
2. Engine Department
The Engine Department or the Marine Engineers are in charge of the maintenance of the principal machinery onboard. It includes the main engine, purifiers, air-conditioning, boilers, turbochargers, compressors, and generators. People in the engine department are also responsible for inspection, repairing, and cleaning operations.
To work in the engine department in Merchant Navy, one has to take up B.Tech in Marine Engineering after completing 12th.
Courses to join Merchant Navy after 12th PCM (IMU-CET)
1. To join as a deck officer
In order to join the Merchant Navy after 12th PCM as a deck officer, you can take the following 2 courses:
- B.Sc. in Nautical Science (3 year degree course)
- Diploma in Nautical Science (1 year diploma course)
2. To join as an engineer
In order to join the Merchant Navy after 12th PCM as an engineer, you can take the following course:
- B.Tech in Marine Engineering (4 year degree course)
3. To join as a Rating after 10th or 12th
In order to join the Merchant Navy after 12th PCM as a Rating, you can take the following course:
- G.P. Rating (6 months course)
4. To join the catering department after 10th or 12th
In order to join the Merchant Navy after 12th PCM in the catering department, you can take the following course:
- Certificate Course in Maritime Catering (CCMC – 6 months course)
Let’s have a look at all of these courses and their eligibility criteria in detail.
Details of Courses to join Merchant Navy in India after 12th PCM
1. Diploma in Nautical Science
DNS is a 1-year pre-sea training program that is divided into two semesters, each of 6 months. The eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Qualifications: 12th Pass with at least 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM), and 50% marks in English
- Age Limit: 17.5- 25 years (As on the date of commencement of course)
- Medical standards: Candidates should be medically and physically fit. A full medical check-up through a Panel Doctor approved by D.G Shipping will be undertaken. A complete eyesight test will also be conducted in which the distance vision should be 6/6 with no color blindness.
2. B.Sc. in Nautical Science
B.Sc. in Nautical Science is a three-year undergraduate program, after which the student can join a ship as a trainee cadet officer (commonly referred to as a deck cadet). The eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Qualifications: 12th Pass with at least 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM), and 50% marks in English (in both 10th & 12th)
- Age Limit: 17.5- 25 years (As on the date of commencement of course)
- Medical standards: Candidates should be medically and physically fit. A full medical check-up through a Panel Doctor approved by D.G Shipping will be undertaken. A complete eyesight test will also be conducted in which the distance vision should be 6/6 with no color blindness.
3. B.Tech in Marine Engineering
B.tech Marine Engineering is a 4-year degree course comprising 8 semesters and includes training on Ship-in-Campus during the seventh semester. The eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Qualifications: 12th Pass with at least 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM), and 50% marks in English (in both 10th & 12th)
- Age Limit: 17.5- 25 years (As on the date of commencement of course)
- Medical standards: Candidates should be medically and physically fit. A full medical check-up through a Panel Doctor approved by D.G Shipping will be undertaken. A complete eyesight test will also be conducted in which the distance vision should be 6/6 with no color blindness.
4. G.P. Rating
General Purpose Rating is a 6 month course that can be joined either after 10th or 12th. After completing this course, candidates can join the deck or engine department in Indian/Foreign shipping companies. The eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Qualification: 10th (minimum) or 12th Pass from a government recognized board with a minimum of 40% marks aggregate. (40% marks in English is mandatory)
- Age Limit: Between 17.5 to 25 years. For diploma or degree holders, the age limit is 27 at the time of course commencement.
- Medical Standards: Candidates should be medically and physically fit. A full medical check-up through a Panel Doctor approved by D.G Shipping will be undertaken. A complete eyesight test will also be conducted in which the distance vision should be 6/6 with no color blindness.
5. Certificate Course in Maritime Catering
CCMC is a basic course in the Maritime Catering and Hospitality sector of six months duration. The course involves training in Food Production, Food and Beverage Service, Housekeeping, and Maritime familiarization. The eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Qualification: 10th (minimum) or 12th Pass from a government recognized board with a minimum of 40% marks aggregate. (40% marks in English is mandatory)
- Age Limit: Between 17.5 to 25 years (As on the date of commencement of course).
- Medical Standards: Candidates should be medically and physically fit. A full medical check-up through a Panel Doctor approved by D.G Shipping will be undertaken. A complete eyesight test will also be conducted in which the distance vision should be 6/6 with no color blindness.
Selection Process to join Merchant Navy Courses after 12th
1. DNS, B.Sc. in Nautical Science, and B.Tech in Marine Engineering
- IMU-CET and Sponsorship: Eligible candidates have to appear for the IMU-CET exams. Rank-holding candidates must get sponsorship through any registered shipping company before registering for this course.
- Panel interview: Shortlisted candidates get called for the admission procedure.
- Medical examination: Selected candidates will undergo a medical screening to test their eyesight and physical fitness.
- Pre-sea training: Candidates who clear the medical examination will begin with pre-sea training.
2. G.P. Rating and CCMC
- Panel interview: Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria get called for the admission procedure.
- Medical examination: Selected candidates will undergo a medical screening to test their eyesight and physical fitness.
- Pre-sea training: Candidates who clear the medical examination will begin with 6 months of pre-sea training.
IMU-CET exams and Admissions
In order to get admission in DNS, B.Sc. In Nautical Science, and B.Tech in Marine Engineering, you need to appear for IMU-CET exams (Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test). The exam comprises of five subjects: Physics, Mathematics, English, Chemistry, and General Knowledge. The exam is typically conducted online with no negative markings.
Some details of the IMU-CET exam are as follows:
- Exam mode: The examination will be conducted through online (CBT) mode
- Type of questions: This exam consists of multiple choice questions
- Duration: The exam duration will be 3 hours
- Number of questions: For Under Graduate courses 200 questions will be asked. For MBA and M.Tech courses 120 questions will be asked
- Marking scheme: One mark will be awarded for each correct answer
- Negative marking: There will be no negative marking
Learn more about the exam here.
How to get guaranteed sponsorship in Merchant Navy course after 12th?
You can pursue a Merchant Navy course from 2 kinds of colleges: Sponsored and Non-sponsored. Getting admission in a sponsored college would guarantee that you obtain an offer letter from a shipping company confirming your placement at the time of joining the course itself. In order to obtain sponsorship, you need to follow the below steps:
- Prepare for sponsorship exams
- Appear for sponsorship exams
- Clear the interview conducted by companies
- Clear the medical test
- Obtain the sponsorship letter
At Rife Consultancy, we run a preparatory batch to prepare students for obtaining sponsorship. In that batch, students will be trained on how to effectively appear for sponsorship exams with the help of content curated exclusively by experienced Merchant Navy officers.
After that, we assist you in applying for sponsorship exams and take care of the form filling process. Further, we also prepare you to clear the interview and medical test. When this procedure is completed, you will obtain your sponsorship letter from the shipping company before your course begins.
To know more about the preparatory batches or to get admission in a DG-approved institute, you can contact us at +91 8160370087.
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