How to Join Merchant Navy after 12
Has your search to join the merchant navy after class 12 made you stumble upon our blog? If yes, consider yourself lucky because we’ll answer just that question for you. From information on courses and entrance exams, up to the eligibility requirements, covering everything you need to know to join the merchant navy after your class 12th and make a successful career in it.
Merchant Navy as a Career
Class 12th students who have a knack for traveling, and are looking to make a career in commercial shipping can easily choose Merchant Navy as a career option. This is because there are a number of technical and non-technical job options in the merchant navy. One can work as a Chief Engineer, Captain, Deck Cadet, or first mate to name a few.
However, there is high competition in this field with the number of officer positions being far less than the number of applicants. Therefore, it requires focus along with having a clear goal and guidance to finally get selected and become a part of the maritime workforce. It is your duty to focus on your goal and it is our duty to provide guidance that we are providing with our free How to Join Merchant Navy Guidance Series.
Steps to Join Merchant Navy after Class 12
There are a few steps to follow before one decides to join the maritime workforce-
1. Decide-
The best time to make a firm decision to join the merchant navy is when a student is still in school. Once you’ve made your decision you can join the respective courses for a smooth entrance into the maritime field.
2. Choose the Right Subjects-
Keep in mind that to join as an officer one has to have a background in science. Therefore, it is required that you clear your class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Math along with English. Any additional knowledge about marine instruments, technical terminology, ships, etc. to work to the benefit of the candidate.
Commerce and Arts students can still join, but as ratings, not officers.
3. Entrance Exams-
Students who want to join the merchant navy after class 12 need to pass the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET) and then acquire a good rank.
If you’re currently preparing for IMUCET, read our blog- How to Prepare for IMUCET?
Along with IMUCET, students also have to clear their sponsorship exams. Sponsorship refers to getting selected by a company to work aboard their ship after the completion of your pre-sea training course. Students need to appear for sponsorship exams specific to the companies and then later clear the interview. It is the best way to join the merchant navy because it will ensure that you’ll get onboard after completing your course.
It is suggested to first clear your sponsorship exam and then appear for IMU-CET and earn a good rank.
4. College Selection-
Before choosing a college you need to do thorough research to find the best DG Shipping-approved college for yourself. Choosing the right college can either make or break your career in the merchant navy. Luckily, you do not have to take the pain of doing your own research because we here at Merchant Navy Decoded have already done rigorous in-depth research for you. We have created a list of colleges as per the courses, which will be mentioned below.
Courses to Join Merchant Navy after 12
To Join as a Deck Cadet in Merchant Navy after 12-
1. Diploma in Nautical Science
| Course Level | Diploma |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Eligibility | 10+2/equivalent (PCM Average – Minimum 60%) with a minimum of 50% marks in English subjects in the 10th/12th Examination. There will be a 5% relaxation in eligibility marks; however, it will not apply to English Marks. |
| Age Limit | Minimum age: 17years Maximum age: For Male : General -25 years, OBC(NCL)-28 years, SC/ST-30 years For Females: General -27 years, OBC(NCL)-30 years, SC/ST-32 years. The reference date for the calculation of the age will be from the date of commencement of the Academic Session. |
Click here to read about the course details, colleges, career progression, and steps to join.
| Course Level | Graduate |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2/equivalent (PCM – a minimum of 60% aggregate) & English – a minimum of 50% in 10th/+2. Note: In the case of SC/ST candidates. There will be a 5% relaxation in eligibility marks; however, it will not apply to English Marks. |
| Age Limit | Minimum age: 17years Maximum age: For Male : General -25 years, OBC(NCL)-28 years, SC/ST-30 years For Females: General -27 years, OBC(NCL)-30 years, SC/ST-32 years. The reference date for the calculation of the age will be from the date of commencement of the Academic Session. |
Want to join the deck side but are still unable to choose which course to go for? Read our following blog – Which is better: BSc Nautical Science or DNS? Click here to read more about bsc nautical science colleges.
To Join as an Engineer in Merchant Navy after Class 12-
Btech Marine Engineering
| Course Level | Graduate |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Eligibility | Candidates who have completed their 10+2 education in the science stream from a recognized board where they have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics compulsorily and have secured a minimum overall aggregate of 60% are eligible. [OR] Candidates who have a 3-year diploma with a minimum of 55% are also eligible through a lateral entry scheme. |
| Age Limit | Minimum age: 17years Maximum age: For Male : General -25 years, OBC(NCL)-28 years, SC/ST-30 years For Females: General -27 years, OBC(NCL)-30 years, SC/ST-32 years. The reference date for the calculation of the age will be from the date of commencement of the Academic Session. There will be a 5% relaxation in eligibility marks; however, it will not apply to English Marks. |
To Join as a Rating after Class 12-
1. GP Rating Course
| Course Level | Certificate |
| Duration | 6 Months |
| Eligibility | A minimum of 40% from a recognized board is required in English, Science, and Mathematics in the 10th or 12th grades. |
| Age Limit | The candidates must be between 17.5 to 25 years of age when the course starts. |
Click here to read about GP Rating in detail- eligibility, colleges, fees placement, career progression, etc.
Read here- Top 3 colleges for GP Rating
To Join the Catering Department after Class 10 or 12:
- Saloon Rating Course
| Course Level | Certificate |
| Duration | 6 Months |
| Eligibility | Passed class 12th from a recognized board |
| Age Limit | The age of candidate should be between 17½ to 25 years of age. |
Merchant Navy Medical Test
Before joining any maritime course, the colleges demand their students clear a medical examination. Students are required to get their medicals done by a DG Shipping approved Doctor. The medicals involve examining your blood pressure, eyesight, hearing, etc. Along with measuring your height, and weight and testing for any diseases like diabetes and kidney problems.
All these tests are done in order to ensure that the student is physically fit and sans any diseases that might pose a problem in the future. As working on ships while sailing worldwide, means limited access to medical facilities. Therefore, it is better to examine and check for any underlying diseases that might pose a threat to your life, or create any problems that might result at the end of your career as a seafarer.
How to Get an Education Loan for Merchant Navy Courses?
Many of us are unable to finance our maritime education because belonging to the middle class, we sometimes lack the adequate funds required to finance our degree. In such a situation an Education Loan comes to our rescue.
There are a few requirements to become eligible to get an education loan-
- One should be a citizen of India and should be between 18-35 years of age during the loan application.
- You can get a loan for B.Tech Marine Engineering, BSc Nautical Science, and DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science), but not for the GP Rating course.
- The only exception is the Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies, where you can get an education loan for your GP Rating course.
Read our blog- How to take an Education Loan for Merchant Navy Courses? To understand the detailed process of applying for an education loan.
Although the merchant navy can be a challenging career, if you’re someone who likes a challenge, is eager to learn, is open to new experiences, and stays away from family for long periods of time is not a huge problem for you, then this is the career for you! All you have to do is follow the steps given above and choose the right course for yourself after you complete your class 12th.
If you want to know about IMUCET and how to join the Merchant Navy, you can contact.
JMDi Academy
| Contact no: | +919051206790, +917417085906 |
| Website | https://jmdiacademy.com/ |
| https://www.instagram.com/jmdiacademy/ | |
| JMDi Academy’s Result | https://jmdiacademy.com/2022-result/ |
| IMUCET Decoded Telegram Group | https://t.me/imucetdecoded |
To get more information about the salaries for each rank in the merchant navy, read our blog- Merchant Navy Salary.
See you onboard!
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I am finished in diploma Marine Engineering 3years course
Hi Venkatesh for any queries related to Merchant Navy, information and guidance, WhatsApp us at +91 7417349336.
Thankyou sir
Your welcome 🙂
thanks sir but ihave a doubt im appearing 12th class now and waiting for result imu cet is in 29 nmay so sir plz tell me after imu cet what i do even i selected in a best college but not any sponsharship exam
Hi Abhisek, for any queries and guidance related to Merchant Navy, WhatsApp us at +91 7417349336.
How to join merchant navy aftet indian navy
Hello Sairaj Bhatkande,
Shifting your job from Indian Navy to Merchant Navy is define in TEAP Manual of DG Shipping, for that go through TEAP Manual.
After that if you are getting any trouble then go through our ASK YOUR QUERY PORTAL. Link is below
https://www.merchantnavydecoded.com/contact-us/
Team Merchant Navy Decoded
Plz tell whether it is possible or no🙏🏻