How to get into Merchant Navy? Find Career Prospects & Salary Here!

A career in Merchant Navy can be most beneficial if you are looking for lucrative jobs. There are three modes of entry into the field. Find dtails below!

Heard about this amazing and high-paying job from your friends that not only allows you to earn while you are studying but also opens up a lot of traveling opportunities. Merchant Navy can be the best field for you if you want to earn big and traveling through oceans for months does not bother you.

Merchant navy is a fleet of ships that is responsible for transporting heavy goods from one country to another. It is one of the essential parts of international trade as most of the import and export is done through ships.

A career in Merchant Navy can be most beneficial if you are looking for lucrative jobs. There are three modes of entry into the field. You can join Merchant Navy at any level starting after class 10 to graduation. Let’s find out the career path and opportunities in this field:

Following are the Merchant Navy Courses that you can apply for:

1. Admission through entrance exams and merit:

If you want to apply for technical courses for entering Merchant Navy, then you will have to appear for entrance exams. Exams like IMU CET , JEE Advanced , MERI Entrance Exam, TMISAT, etc. are conducted for admission to marine engineering programmes after class 12. However, there are a few colleges that also take students on the basis of marks secured in class 12.

2. Sponsorship based entry:

Entry is also possible if you apply to either of the popular maritime institutes for maritime programmes. You can apply for sponsorships at the institutes started by shipping companies to train potential candidates for the merchant navy. The sponsorship to go on a ship will be provided to you by this company only if you have completed a course from their institute. You can also apply for multiple sponsorships at different companies.

3. Lateral Entry (LE) into 2 ^nd year of Marine Engineering:

Direct Admission can also be taken into the second year of marine engineering programmes approved by the Directorate General of Shipping. There are two ways of securing LE seats in Marine Engineering programmes:

After completing the first year of engineering from electrical or mechanical branch with minimum 60% and
Pursuing a diploma in electrical, mechanical, marine or ship-building engineering with minimum 60% aggregate marks

Also Read: Find out the Career Prospects & Government Jobs after Studying Economics

Career opportunities and expected salaries in the field of Merchant Navy:

Profile	Qualification	Field Requisite	Average Salary (approx.)
G P Rating	Class 10	4 + 2 months of pre-sea course	Rs. 25,000 to 60,000 per month
Trainee Cadet	Class 12 along with pre-sea Nautical Diploma	1 year pre-sea course	Rs. 25,000 to 85,000 per month
Deck Cadet	Class 12 along with pre-sea Nautical Diploma	18 months of service at sea as deck cadet	Rs. 25,000 to 85,000 per month
3 ^rd Officer/ 2 ^nd Officer	2 ^nd Mate (FG) Certificate of Competency	18 months of service at sea as 2 ^nd or 3 ^rd officer	Rs. 1,50,000 to 3,00,000 per month
Chief Officer	1 ^st Mate (FG) Certificate of Competency	18 months of service at sea as chief officer	Rs. 4,00,000 to 6,00,000 per month
Captain	Master (FG) Certificate of Competency	4 to 5 years of experience in the industry	Rs. 8,65,000 to 20,00,000 per month

Sailors serving in merchant navy get tax free salaries if they spend 183 days of a year in international waters else the salary is taxable as per the laws of the Government of India.

Also Read: Marine Engineering: Career Guide, Exams and Colleges

Merchant Navy being a field that required exhaustive traveling, there are well paying off-shore options that one can look into after taking an early retirement from the job or on completion of the contract.

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a bright future!

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How is the placement record of Quantum University?

-surajUpdated on December 31, 2025 11:30 AM

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prakash bhardwaj, Student / Alumni

Quantum University is one of the best University in Uttarakhand who provide good quality education with good placements every year.The placements % of Quantum University is 80% and 70+ companies visit the University every for jobs.

Do BIT, Ghaziabad accept B.Tech. lateral entry(direct admission to 2nd year after completing Diploma)?

-Aditi ShuklaUpdated on December 31, 2025 11:27 AM

2 Answers

allysa , Student / Alumni

Yes, Lovely Professional University (LPU) accepts B.Tech lateral entry for students who have completed a relevant Diploma in Engineering. Eligible candidates can directly join the second year of the B.Tech program, subject to meeting minimum academic requirements and seat availability. Admission is usually based on merit in the diploma, and students may also have the opportunity to apply for scholarships. This pathway allows diploma holders to save one year and progress efficiently into their engineering degree.

How is LPU for B.Tech? Do I need JEE Main?

-Tutun KhanUpdated on December 31, 2025 12:23 PM

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Anmol Sharma, Student / Alumni

LPU is an excellent B.Tech choice, offering modern infrastructure and industry-focused curricula. While JEE Main isn't mandatory, LPU requires its own entrance exam, LPUNEST. Notably, a strong JEE score can secure direct admission and lucrative scholarships, making it a flexible and rewarding option for aspiring engineers.