Table of Contents
Introduction
The Merchant Navy is changing. What used to be a mostly male domain now welcomes more women, or simply put, girls in the Merchant Navy are making steady, visible progress. Today’s maritime industry offers many roles ashore and at sea, clear training routes, and sensible career growth. This guide explains how girls can join the Merchant Navy, which merchant navy courses to consider, the merchant navy eligibility rules, likely fees, and the best merchant navy colleges to aim for.
Why more girls are choosing the Merchant Navy
Several forces are driving the shift:
- Changing social norms make sea careers more acceptable and attractive for girls.
- Shipping companies and institutes push for diversity and inclusion.
- Education and targeted courses give girls the exact skills shipboard life needs.
More female deck officers, engineers, electro-technical officers, and shore-based managers.
Career options for girls in the Merchant Navy
Girls who join the Merchant Navy can choose many paths , shipboard or shore-based:
Shipboard roles
- G.P. Rating: Entry-level route to join as ratings; with sea time and exams, promotion to senior ranks is possible.
- Deck Officers: Start as deck cadets and advance to Third/Second Officer, Chief Officer, and Master (Captain).
- Marine Engineers: Work in the engine room and rise to Chief Engineer.
- Electro-Technical Officer (ETO): Maintain ship electrical and electronic systems.
- Catering and Hospitality: Stewards, chefs, and hospitality managers for passenger ships and cruise liners.
Shore-based roles (after sea experience)
- Port management, marine logistics, ship operations, maritime law, crewing, and training.
Girls who join the Merchant Navy often move between shipboard and shore roles across their careers , the options expand as experience grows.
Popular merchant navy courses (what to study)
Top merchant navy courses that girls take include:
G.P. Rating (General Purpose Rating)
- Duration: ~6 months pre-sea training.
- Who it’s for: 10th or 12th pass students.
- Outcome: Eligible for onboard training and a CDC; start as an Ordinary Seaman or trainee fitter.
- Why it’s good: Fast start, practical training, route to being promoted later.
Certificate Course in Maritime Catering (CCMC)
- Focus: Cooking, food safety, kitchen management, menu planning , ideal for catering roles at sea.
Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
- Duration: 1 year (plus sea training).
- Who it’s for: 12th pass with PCM or equivalent.
- Outcome: Pathway to being a deck officer after sea time and exams.
B.Sc. Nautical Science & B.Tech Marine Engineering
- B.Sc.: 3 years, for future deck officers.
- B.Tech (Marine Engineering): 4 years, for engineering officers.
- Both usually require IMU-CET or institute entrance exams.
Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) & ETO
- GME: For engineering grads who want to move into ship engineering roles.
- ETO: For electrical/electronics graduates , focuses on shipboard electrical systems.
Merchant navy eligibility , who can apply?
Merchant navy eligibility generally covers the following:
Education & age
- For DNS / B.Sc / B.Tech: 12th with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) and required marks (often 60% for deck courses).
- For G.P. Rating / CCMC: 10th or 12th pass with minimum percentages (often 40% aggregate and 40% in English).
- Typical age window: 17.5–25 years for many pre-sea courses (varies by course).
Medical fitness
- A DG Shipping–approved panel doctor must clear candidates.
- Eyesight: often 6/6 distance vision; some small corrective power may be allowed; no color blindness.
- Overall physical fitness is essential , serious medical conditions can be disqualifying.
Other points
- Some institutes historically preferred unmarried candidates; that practice is changing or varies by institute.
- For lateral entries (e.g., diploma-to-degree), older age limits and different criteria can apply.
If a girl wants to join the Merchant Navy, checking the precise merchant navy eligibility for each course and college is essential.
Also Read: Duties of Deck Cadet on Merchant Ships: Complete Guide for Maritime Trainees
Fees & financial expectations
Fees vary widely by course and institute. Rough ranges (indicative):
- B.Sc. Nautical Science: INR 2–6 lakh per year.
- B.Tech Marine Engineering: INR 3–8 lakh per year.
- Diploma / DNS: INR 2–4 lakh for the entire course.
- GME / ETO: INR 2–5 lakh for the program.
Remember: some institutes include accommodation and basic training kits in fees; others list them separately. Also, sponsored seats (where a company guarantees placement) may have an extra placement cost or service bond.
Top merchant navy colleges & training institutes
When girls decide to join the Merchant Navy, selecting one of the recognized merchant navy colleges matters. Strong institutes have DG Shipping approval, solid placement records, and good shore/ship training links. Notable names include:
- Indian Maritime University (IMU) , campuses across India (Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi).
- Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune , respected for nautical and engineering courses.
- Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training (MANET), Pune.
- Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies, Mumbai.
- Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy, Mumbai.
- International Maritime Institute (IMI), Delhi.
- Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies, Mumbai.
Always verify that the college is DG Shipping approved and check alumni feedback.
Exams & admissions: IMU-CET and sponsorships
Many girls aiming to join the Merchant Navy for B.Sc/DNS/B.Tech must clear IMU-CET (Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test). Some institutes and shipping companies also run sponsorship exams: clear those and you may secure a sponsored seat (placement guarantee) before the course starts.
Coaching for IMU-CET exists in many cities. If a girl intends to join the Merchant Navy, preparing for IMU-CET and company sponsorship tests is often a smart move.
Career growth & salaries (realistic view)
Career and pay scale depend on role, ship type, and experience. Typical snapshots:
- G.P. Rating: Entry pay modest; increases with watchkeeping qualification.
- Deck Officers & Marine Engineers: Initial salaries grow with rank; senior officers (Chief Engineer/Captain) earn significantly more.
- ETO & specialized roles: Competitive pay depending on technical skills.
Salaries can vary from modest starter pay for ratings to substantial sums for senior officers on large ships and cruise liners. Experience, certifications, and continuous learning shape long-term earnings.
Practical tips for girls who want to join
- Pick DG Shipping–approved merchant navy colleges only.
- Prioritize medical fitness early , correct small vision issues before applying.
- Consider sponsorship seats to lower early job-hunting risk.
- If you start via G.P. Rating, plan for continuing education to move into officer ranks later.
- Building soft skills , communication, teamwork, and cultural awareness are invaluable on mixed-nationality ships.
Conclusion
The path for girls in the Merchant Navy is clear and growing. With the right merchant navy courses, adherence to merchant navy eligibility, sensible financial planning, and well-chosen merchant navy colleges, girls can build demanding but rewarding maritime careers. The sea no longer looks one way , it welcomes talent, discipline, and skill from everyone.
