How to Join Merchant Navy After 10th: Courses, Eligibility & Career Path

Introduction

Joining the Merchant Navy right after 10th sounds bold, and it is. But for many with a drive, it’s also practical. You can begin earning, learn real ship skills, and work upward over time. The trick is knowing which course fits your situation and what milestones you must hit. This article shows you the full route: eligibility, courses available, how sponsorship works, career progression, and what to watch out for.

1. Why the “after 10th” route matters

Most people assume you need 12th (especially PCM) to get into the Merchant Navy. That’s true for many officer-level technical or navigation courses. But there is a path from 10th via “rating” (crew/support) roles, from where you can climb up.

Advantages:

• You start earlier , you don’t lose years waiting for 12th.
• You build sea experience from the ground up.
• You can gradually upgrade (via exams, courses) into officer ranks later.

Challenges:

• The initial roles are lower in pay and status.
• You’ll need to keep studying (technical & certifications) to move up.
• Physical fitness, medical standards, and discipline are strict gates.

Let’s see the concrete path.

2. The primary path: GP Rating (General Purpose Rating)

This is the most common course for 10th pass students who want to join the merchant navy.

What is GP Rating?

• Duration: 6 months (residential, pre-sea) course. 
• Purpose: It trains you in both deck tasks and engine/ machinery tasks, so you can work where needed. 
• After training, you take external exams via the Board of Examiners for Seafarers (BES) under DG Shipping. 
• On passing, you receive the Indian CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate), which legitimizes your sea service. 
• Then you can join a ship as Trainee OS (Ordinary Seaman), trainee fitter, trainee oiler, etc., depending on the department. 

Some institutes/companies (like SCI’s MTI) have special structure: 6 months pre-sea + 12 months shipboard training leading to deck officer or near coastal vessel roles.  

Eligibility for GP Rating

To enroll, you typically need:

Some institutes also accept candidates with 12th pass (any stream) or from ITI / diploma, if certain conditions are met. 

Some relaxing or exceptions (for SC/ST, OBC) for upper age limits are seen in some rules. 

One thing: many institutes don’t have a single central exam for GP Rating; rather, they conduct their own entrance test or selection process.

3. Selection Process & Steps

Here’s a typical journey:

1. Apply to institute (DG Shipping approved) offering GP Rating
2. Entrance test / screening (some have written / online test, interview)
3. Medical examination (DG Shipping approved panel doctor)
4. Pre-sea training (6 months)
5. External exams by BES / board
6. Issue of CDC
7. On-board training / sea service

During sea service you accumulate “sea time” which is critical for promotions.

If you want sponsorship (i.e. a company guarantees placement) , you may be required to clear the company’s additional exam/interview.

4. Other courses (alternate or specialized) after 10th

GP Rating is not the only route. Depending on your interests or institutes around you, other 6-month rating courses are offered. Some are more specialized.

• Deck Rating Course , focuses largely on deck operations: navigation support, mooring, cargo handling.
• Engine Rating Course , focuses mainly on engine, machinery, maintenance side.
• Saloon / Catering / Hospitality / Saloon Rating Course , for the service/hospitality side onboard (canteens, rooms, housekeeping).
• Diploma in Marine Engineering , normally offered after 12th, but in rare cases some institutes may admit 10th pass students (with catch-ups).
• Electro-Technical / Technical Assistant Courses , fewer and more specialized, sometimes requiring later upgrades.

These are more niche, but good to keep in mind depending on your aptitude and local institute availability.

Also Read: Top 10 Major Ports in India: List, Key Features, and Latest Developments

5. Career Path & Promotion after joining via 10th route

You’ll start at a junior rating level, but there is a ladder. Here’s a sketch:

• After GP Rating training → join ship as Trainee Ordinary Seaman / Wiper / Trainee Fitter / Oiler
• With sea time and performance → Able Seaman, Engine Fitter, Bosun (Boatswain)
• After fulfilling required service years (often ~ 36 months or more) + exams → you may appear for officer-level or supervisory exams / orals
• Then you can rise into Deck Officer, Engineering Officer, etc.

Some companies / institutes have integrated paths (e.g. GP Rating leading into NWKO or deck officer courses).  

One important note: your promotion and effective earning depend heavily on sea time and certifications / exams you clear along the way.

6. Salary & Earnings (approximate / indicative)

These are ballpark figures because real pay depends on company, ship, rank, experience, and contract.

• Right after GP Rating / on-board training: you may earn the equivalent of US$200–300 (~ ₹12,000–18,000) per month.
• When you become Able Seaman or in watchkeeping roles: $1,000–1,500 (or local equivalent) is sometimes quoted in older sources.
• As Bosun or senior rating level: pay rises further.
• If you successfully transition to an officer rank, salaries go still higher (e.g. $3,000–4,000 and beyond), depending on ship type and company.

Important: these numbers are rough, and overseas contracts, ship type (cargo / tanker / cruise) make huge differences.

7. How to get a sponsored / guaranteed placement

Sponsorship is when a shipping company says: “If you do this training with us, we’ll take you on board or place you after completion.” It gives more job security early.

To get sponsored for GP Rating or similar:

• Many institutes offer sponsored seats. You’ll need to pass extra exams or interviews by those companies.
• Prepare specifically for company exams (aptitude, technical, personal interview).
• You’ll still need to satisfy medical norms.
• Sometimes a placement cost fee is added (a premium you pay for the sponsorship guarantee).
• Read fine print: often, joining the company involves service bonds (you may be required to serve certain years or pay a penalty if you leave early).

If you get a sponsorship before starting the course, your risk is lower. But do your homework on the company’s reputation.

8. Things to watch out / tips

• The institute must be DG Shipping approved , otherwise certificates may not be accepted.
• Medical and eyesight: these standards are strict; don’t assume your normal glasses will always help.
• Age window matters , if you delay too long, you may get disqualified.
• Sea time is king , promotions and upgrades depend more on time on ship + exams than just your initial course.
• Ongoing learning & certifications , to rise to officer level, you’ll need to take additional courses, exams, and keep up with maritime rules.
• Financial planning , some courses are expensive; know fees, hostel costs, etc.
• Scams & fake institutes , always verify credentials, past placement record, DG Shipping approval, alumni feedback.

9. Sample timeline (example route)

Here’s an example for someone who finishes 10th and follows the “rating → officer” path:

• Year 0 (after 10th): apply for GP Rating (age ~17–18)
• 6 months: complete pre-sea training, pass exams, get Indian CDC
• Next 12–18 months: shipboard training, earn sea time, do basic rating work
• After ~36 months: eligible to appear for officer conversion exams / orals
• If you pass: transition into officer cadre (Deck or Engineering)
• Meanwhile, you may take additional courses (electrical, navigation, marine engineering modules) to strengthen credentials

Every step, your performance, medical fitness, and certifications matter.

Conclusion

Yes , joining the Merchant Navy after 10th is possible, through paths like GP Rating and other rating courses. It’s a harder climb than entering after 12th for officer tracks, but not impossible. The keys: pick a good DG Shipping institute, satisfy eligibility (education, age, medical), potentially get a sponsorship, and commit to sea service and further exams.