Published on June 14th 2024
It can be difficult to decide on a career after completing high school. Students may feel confused and overwhelmed by the wide range of options accessible to them today and may not know which direction to choose. Joining the Merchant Navy after 12th grade is one career choice that frequently sticks out because of its distinctive qualities and bright future. This option offers rich prospects for advancement and development in addition to a vibrant and exciting lifestyle. This blog discusses qualifying conditions, steps to join merchant navy and job opportunities for individuals who, after completing their upper secondary education, decide to embark on a maritime vocation.
Before starting their careers in the marine industry, prospective officers of the merchant navy used to do a pre-university course consisting of science topics (PCM or Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics). But now there are practical choices available to people who want to join the merchant navy after completing their 12th grade. Below is a summary of the eligibility for merchant navy after 12th:
You have to have completed Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) as required courses in Class 12. Most institutions usually favour applicants who have completed these courses with a minimum score of 60% or higher.
The programme you select will determine the age requirement. Typically, applicants need to be between the ages of 17 and 25.
To make sure you fulfil the requirements for both physical and mental fitness set by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), you will have to go through a thorough medical examination. It is necessary to have good colour vision and eyesight.
The following are the steps to join merchant navy.
Candidates can join the merchant navy through one of two primary employment profiles: cadet or engineer. You will mostly be responsible for manoeuvring, navigating and maintaining ships, cargo and tanks if you intend to enlist as a deck cadet or navigating officer. It will be your responsibility to oversee the loading and unloading of freight and to handle all safety equipment. On the other hand, if you join as an engineer, you will be in charge of maintaining and operating the generators, boilers and engines.
While both men and women are welcome to enter this field, they must be single when they do so. Additionally, applicants must be no older than 22 years old and at least 17 years old when they join.
Candidates for both job positions must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) in their 10+2. However, the prerequisite for a bachelor's degree varies depending on the job type.
The Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET) must be passed by a candidate to be considered for the job profiles of engineer and cadet. You can apply to any IMU-affiliated college for admission after passing the exam. But if you want to enrol in a government college, your chances of getting in mostly rely on how well you do in the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE), which the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) oversees. To be eligible, you must pass both the JEE Mains and the Advanced. Pass the interview and a medical examination following the passage of one or both of the exams.
Colleges favour recruiting candidates with good eyesight for positions in the merchant marine. Having a 6/6 in each eye is required if you want to pursue a BSc degree. It is permissible to wear glasses up to plus or minus 2.5 if you are enrolling in an engineering study. Additionally, both eyes should have 6/12 unaided vision. You should not be colour-blind if you want to have a fulfilling profession. A fitness certificate is necessary for you to be able to work in this profession.
A candidate could need to pass a competency assessment in order to eventually join the merchant navy:
When their training is up, individuals can seek to sit for the government of India competency exams and become third officers. Training lasts for 18 months.
Following a half-year of training candidates seek to sit for the Directorate General of Shipping's competency exam and become the fourth engineer to join. Career advancement is possible with experience, time spent at sea and passing additional competency exams.
Although a BE/BTech/BSc degree can help you land an entry-level job, you can improve your employability and income by completing your MTech/ME. You can specialise in a field like naval architecture, offshore engineering, marine engineering, dredging and harbour engineering or offshore engineering with a master's degree.
Several factors affect a DNS Salary in Merchant Navy, such as their rank, ship type, experience and employer. But to give you a sense, the following is a general range for DNS programme graduates:
On average, ₹2.4 lakhs per year (LPA).
Your earning potential rises dramatically with experience. While second officers might earn 8 lacs to 20 lacs annually, third officers can make between 4 lacs and 7.20 lacs.
From the moment you set foot on the ship, you will reap the rewards of serving in the Merchant Navy. You will be referred to as a sailor as soon as you join, so let's look at the benefits that await sailors.
A career that will let you see the world while working and making money is the merchant navy. Being in the Merchant Navy gives you the opportunity to go to any country in the world.
One of the careers with the greatest wages in the world is merchant navy. Your monthly pay in the Merchant Navy might range from ₹30,000 to ₹15,000,000 without taxes.
The fact that you won't grow bored in the Merchant Navy, as opposed to a typical 9 to 5 job, is one of the benefits of joining the force. Working in the Merchant Navy means taking on new challenges and experiences every day.
A person can meet new people, collaborate with them and take on leadership roles while working aboard ships, all of which are very beneficial to their personal development.
It's a common misperception that the Merchant Navy offers no better work-life balance than any other career. That is completely untrue; if achieving a work-life balance is your priority, the Merchant Navy is the best choice.
To sum up, for individuals seeking a stimulating and demanding professional path, enlisting in the Merchant Navy following high school is an achievable and fulfilling choice. Aspiring individuals can have prosperous careers as marine experts, commanding ships, navigating huge oceans and making a positive impact on the global shipping business, with the correct educational background, commitment and persistence.