A growing number of students who have just finished their 12th grade are interested in careers in the Merchant Navy. It is a highly rewarding career that provides plenty of adventure and the chance to travel to various locations throughout the world. Students must complete particular courses that are offered after their 12th grade to join the Merchant Navy. The numerous Merchant Navy courses after 12th grade will be thoroughly covered on this page.

Course | Eligibility | Duration |
---|---|---|
B.Sc. in Nautical Science | 10+2 passed with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and minimum 50% marks | 3 years |
B.Tech. Marine Engineering | 10+2 passed with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and minimum 50% marks | 4 years |
Diploma in Nautical Science | 10+2 passed with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and minimum 45% marks | 1 year |
Diploma in Marine Engineering | 10+2 passed with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and minimum 45% marks | 1 year |
Electro-Technical Officers | 10+2 passed with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and minimum 50% marks | 6 months |
Graduate Marine Engineering | 10+2 passed with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and minimum 50% marks | 1 year |
General Purpose Ratings | minimum of 40% in your core subjects in high school | 6 months |
Saloon Rating | a minimum of 40% in your core subjects in high school, including English | 6 months |
Catering Rating | minimum of 40% in your core subjects in high school, including English | 6 months |
Deck Cadet | minimum of 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in your 12th | 1 year |
Also Read: How to Join Merchant Navy after 12th
B.Sc. in Nautical Science: The Merchant Navy’s most well-liked course is B.Sc. in Nautical Science. Students who aspire to become deck officers should take this course. The three-year program requires a minimum of 60% in the core disciplines of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the 12th grade as eligibility requirements. Both theoretical and practical instruction is part of the program. On a ship, practical training is carried out.
B.Tech. Marine Engineering: Another well-liked course in the Merchant Navy is B.Tech. Marine Engineering. Students who aspire to become marine engineers should take this course. The study lasts four years, and the requirements for admission include a minimum of 60% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the 12th grade. Both theoretical and practical instruction are part of the program. On a ship, practical training is carried out. This is one of the best Merchant Navy courses after 12th.
Diploma in Nautical Science: For students who wish to become Deck Ratings, there is a course called Diploma in Nautical Science. The prerequisites include a minimum of 45% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics on the 12th-grade exam, and the course lasts for one year. Both theoretical and practical instruction are part of the program. On a ship, practical training is carried out.
Diploma in Marine Engineering: For students who aspire to become Marine Ratings, there is a course called the Diploma in Marine Engineering. A minimum of 45% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics on the 12th-grade exam is required as a requirement for the one-year study. Both theoretical and practical instruction are part of the program. On a ship, practical training is carried out.
Course for Electro-Technical Officers (ETO): Students who desire to become Electrical Officers should take the ETO Course. A minimum of 50% in the core areas of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the 12th grade is required to be eligible for the six-month course. Training in both theory and practice is provided throughout the course. A ship serves as the venue for practical instruction.
GME Course: For students who aspire to work as marine engineers, there is a course called GME. A minimum of 50% in the core courses of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the 12th grade is required to be eligible for the one-year program. Training in both theory and practice is provided throughout the course. A ship serves as the venue for practical instruction. This is another best Merchant Navy Courses after 12th.
GP Rating Course: For students who desire to become General Purpose Ratings, there is a course called the GP Rating Course. The course lasts for six months, and the prerequisite is a minimum of 40% in your core subjects in high school, including English. Both theoretical and practical instruction is part of the program. On a ship, practical training is carried out.
Saloon Rating Course: Students who want to work in saloon ratings should take the saloon rating course. The course lasts for six months, and the prerequisite is a minimum of 40% in your core subjects in high school, including English. Both theoretical and practical instruction are part of the program. Together with the saloon rating course, practical training is conducted:
The Saloon Ratings are in charge of maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of the ship’s dining room and kitchen as well as the crew’s living quarters.
Catering Rating Course: Students who desire to work as catering ratings should take the Catering Rating Course. The course lasts for six months, and the prerequisite is a minimum of 40% in your core subjects in high school, including English. Both theoretical and practical instruction are part of the program. On a ship, practical training is carried out. The catering ratings are in charge of maintaining the ship’s kitchen and putting together meals for the crew. If you are interested in catering then this is one of the best Merchant Navy courses after 12th.
Deck Cadet Course: Training for students who wish to become deck officers is called the “Deck Cadet Course.” The course lasts for one year, and the prerequisites are a minimum of 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in your 12th-grade year. Both theoretical and practical instruction is part of the program. On a ship, practical training is carried out.
Here are the details of Merchant Navy Eligibility: Below you have been given Merchant Navy courses after the 12th eligibility requirement.
Depending on the type of course, the institution offering it, and the nation where the course is being provided, there may be differences in the eligibility requirements for Merchant Navy courses. Nonetheless, the following general eligibility standards apply to the majority of Merchant Navy courses:
Age: Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 25 when they are admitted. The minimum age requirement, however, may range for various programs and organizations.
Qualifications in terms of education: Applicants must have passed the Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) subjects in their 10+2 or equivalent examination from an accredited board. Certain courses could have a minimum passing grade in PCM, usually 60% or more.
Medical Fitness: Applicants must be in good physical condition and free from any illnesses that would make it difficult for them to carry out their tasks at sea. They must get a certificate of fitness from a licenced doctor after undergoing a medical check.
Nationality: Applicants must be Indian nationals or possess the nationality of a nation with which India has a seafarer training and employment agreement.
English Language Proficiency: Applicants must have a strong command of the written and spoken English language. Candidates may be required by some courses to get a minimum score on English language proficiency exams like the TOEFL or IELTS. This is one of the important requirements for Merchant Navy courses after 12th.
It is significant to remember that different institutions and courses may have varying eligibility requirements. Before applying, candidates should verify their exact eligibility for the course they are interested in. Also, as part of the selection process for some courses, applicants may need to complete admission exams or interviews.

Depending on the type of course, the institution offering it, and the length of the course, different merchant navy courses have different costs. Generally speaking, Merchant Navy courses are pricey, but they provide a good return on investment in terms of potential career paths and income. Here is the list of Merchant Navy Courses fees:
Course | Average Fees |
---|---|
B.Sc. Nautical Science | ₹ 2,00,00 – ₹ 5,00,000 |
B.Tech. Marine Engineering | ₹ 4,00,000 – ₹ 8,00,000 |
Diploma in Nautical Science | ₹ 1,00,000 – ₹ 2,00,000 |
Diploma in Marine Engineering | ₹ 1,00,000 – ₹ 2,00,000 |
Electro-Technical Officer | ₹ 2,00,00 – ₹ 5,00,000 |
GME | ₹ 3,00,00 – ₹ 5,00,000 |
GP Rating | ₹ 1,00,000 – ₹ 2,00,000 |
Saloon Rating | ₹ 1,00,000 – ₹ 2,00,000 |
Catering Rating | ₹ 1,00,000 – ₹ 2,00,000 |
Deck Cadet | ₹ 3,00,00 – ₹ 5,00,000 |
Students may also be responsible for paying for housing, meals, and other costs while they are in school in addition to the tuition. Nonetheless, a lot of organizations provide financial aid, scholarships, and other kinds of support to help students pay for their expenses.
In India, several Merchant Navy colleges provide maritime education and training programs. Here are a few of India’s best colleges for the merchant navy:
IMU: Indian Maritime University |
TMI: Tolani Maritime Institute |
MERI: Marine Engineering and Research Institute |
SIMS: Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies |
IMI: International Maritime Institute |
CMC: Coimbatore Marine College |
AMET: Academy of Maritime Education and Training |
MANET: Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training |
GEIMS: Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies |
RLINS: RL Institute of Nautical Sciences |
These universities offer a variety of programs, including a B.Tech. in Marine Engineering, a B.Sc. in Nautical Science, a Diploma in Nautical Science, and numerous more programs about the maritime sector. Depending on their preferences and qualifying requirements, students interested in pursuing a career in the Merchant Navy can select one of these universities.
After completing their degrees, students have a wide range of career options thanks to the Merchant Navy. Some of the in-demand Merchant Navy Jobs are given below.
Here are the details of Merchant Navy Courses after 12th jobs
Deck Officer: Deck Officers are in charge of directing the ship’s navigation and making sure it arrives at its destination without incident. Together with supervising the people on board, they are in charge of maintaining the ship’s safety features.
Marine Engineer: The maintenance and proper operation of the ship’s engine fall under the purview of marine engineers. They are also in charge of overseeing and maintaining the electrical systems on board the ship. This is a great career option after completing Merchant Navy Courses after 12th.
Electrical Officer: The electrical systems on board the ship must be managed and kept in good working order by the electrical officers. The communication and navigational equipment on the ship must also be maintained.
General Purpose Rating: General Purpose Ratings are in charge of aiding the Deck and Engine departments in carrying out their responsibilities. The crew’s living quarters must be kept tidy and clean, and the cleanliness of the ship must be maintained.
Catering Rating: Managing the ship’s kitchen and cooking meals for the crew are the responsibilities of the catering ratings. Also, they are in charge of keeping the dining room and kitchen spotless.
Based on their position, experience, and the sort of ship they work on, Merchant Navy officers in India may earn a variety of salaries. Here is the list of Merchant Navy Salary in India:
Job Profile | Average salary per month |
---|---|
Trainee Marine Engineer | ₹ 25,000 – ₹ 30,000 |
Deck Cadet | ₹ 20,000 – ₹ 25,000 |
Marine Engineer | ₹ 80,000 – ₹ 1,50,000 |
Third Officer | ₹ 50,000 – ₹ 1,00,000 |
Second Officer | ₹ 1,00,000 – ₹ 2,00,000 |
Chief Officer | ₹ 2,00,000 – ₹ 3,00,000 |
Captain | ₹3,00,000 – ₹ 5,00,000 |
The Merchant Navy is an extremely lucrative sector that gives loads of adventure and the chance to travel to numerous locations. The Merchant Navy offers a variety of courses that students who have finished their 12th-grade education can select from. Furthermore included in this list of courses are the Electro-Technical Officer (ETO), GME, GP, Saloon, Catering, and Deck Cadet programmes. A nautical science and marine engineering diploma, as well as a marine engineering B.Tech. and a nautical science B.Sc. A variety of jobs in the merchant navy are available to students who complete these courses, including Deck Officer, Marine Engineer, Electrical Officer, General Purpose Rating, and Catering Rating.
Question 1. Can I join the merchant navy once I pass from 10+2?
Answer: Aspiring applicants must undertake these stages in order to join the merchant navy after receiving their 12th diploma as officers: Candidates must have successfully passed their 12th in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with a minimum aggregate score of 60% or an equivalent CGPA.
Question 2. Is working for the merchant marine difficult?
Answer: In conclusion, a job in the merchant navy is challenging but also gives you international notoriety because you support the nation’s commercial shipping industry. Being at sea for extended periods of time is a requirement of the work.
Question 3. Is working for the merchant navy government work?
Answer: Government and private jobs both exist in the merchant fleet. You are a government employee if you work for the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). The majority of the other businesses in this industry, other from SCI, are private businesses.
Question 4. Can I join the merchant navy without taking an exam?
Answer: No, you must take a specific admission exam in order to join the Navy or merchant navy. Here are a few entrance tests that can help you join the Navy: the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET) and the All India Merchant Navy Entrance Test (AIMNET)
Question 5. Is the merchant navy well paid?
Answer: Usually between INR 4.80 and 6 LPA, or between INR 40,000 and 50,000 per month, is the starting salary scale for the merchant navy. A merchant navy officer with more than 10 years of relevant experience makes an average monthly salary of INR 1.64 lakh.