How to Get Into Merchant Navy: Qualifications, Entrance Exams, More

The Merchant Navy is one of the most exciting and esteemed professions worldwide, attracting students interested in exploring the maritime sphere. The Merchant Navy is a highly sought-after career path for students, offering a very high earning potential, an adventurous nature of work, and the opportunity to gain global exposure and travel worldwide. Getting into the merchant navy after 12th requires meeting basic eligibility criteria, such as minimum qualifications and age limits, followed by qualifying the entrance exam.

If you are someone who wishes to have the three influential factors all in one while earning a livelihood – high income, adventure, and travelling – then the Merchant Navy can be the perfect profession for you. Be a part of the dynamic working environment and build yourself a rewarding career at sea with the Merchant Navy. Explore with us through this blog the nuances of the Merchant Navy as a profession, the qualifications required to enrol on the programme, entrance tests, eligibility criteria, admission process, etc.

What is the Merchant Navy? Diving into the Basics of the Profession

Did you know that around 11% of the total merchant Navy officers in the world are Indian? Yes, that is how popular this career is in India and worldwide. The Merchant Navy, as a sector, serves as the backbone of international trade. Via international sea routes, it is responsible for transporting goods, services, passengers, etc., across the globe. The Merchant Navy is a commercial sector and is a non-combat profession that offers several adventurous and high-paying opportunities to professionals.

Precisely, the Merchant Navy comprises a fleet of commercial ships engaged in international trade and global transportation. Remember, do not confuse it with the Indian Navy, which is a specialised combat wing for Indian defence and security.

Eligibility Criteria for Merchant Navy

Here is the detailed eligibility criteria if you’re interested in pursuing your career in the Merchant Navy and becoming a sea professional!

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  Educational Qualification: One needs to have passed Grade 12 with a science background, with subjects PCM – Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics – with at least 50 to 60% aggregate, which may vary depending upon the course or the institution.
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  Age Limit: The minimum and maximum age limit to apply for the Merchant Navy is 17 to 25 years; however, relaxation of up to five years is given to reserved categories.
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  Medical Requirement: Since the Merchant Navy requires officers who are physically and mentally fit, an applicant has to pass all the physical tests according to the set standards and must have full 6/6 vision with no colour blindness.
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  Gender: Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the Merchant Navy and build a successful professional career for themselves.

Top Entrance Exams for Admission into the Merchant Navy

For admission into the Merchant Navy course, there are several entrance exams held to assess the academic knowledge, aptitude and capability of a student to be ready to face life at sea. Understanding the pattern of the exams, the structure, and the kind of questions asked can help you prepare a plan to clear this exam for yourself to make a successful entry in the field of the merchant navy. 

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  IMU-CET: Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test: It is an easy way to enter the Merchant Navy for students via government-recognised maritime courses. It is a national-level exam conducted for admission into the UG/PG courses.
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  MERI Exam: Marine Engineering & Research Institute is one of the most prestigious maritime institutions offering specialised maritime engineering courses. The institution has a strict admission criterion, and it also primarily considers admission into its programmes through the IMU-CET exam.
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  IMI Exam: The International Maritime Institute is based in Noida and offers several merchant navy courses. The institution holds its own entrance exam for admission into the programmes, followed by medical tests and interview rounds.
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  TMI Exam: Tolani Maritime Institution is another leading private institution offering B.Tech Maritime Engineering and B.Sc Nautical Science courses. They have their admission process via online mode, or the applicants can submit their own IMU-CET exam or JEE score.
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  JEE Scores: There are multiple institutions that offer admission into maritime courses based on the test scores achieved in the JEE Main exam.
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  Company-Sponsored Exams: There are multiple private firms as well that hold company-sponsored exams for admission into the merchant navy courses.
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  Agniveer Quota: Young professionals who have served in the armed forces directly can enter the merchant navy.

Top Maritime Institutes in India

Here is the list of the most reputed institutions in India that you may enrol in to start your career in the Merchant Navy.

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  Indian Maritime University (IMU)
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  Tolani Maritime Institute
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  Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy
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  Merchant Navy Institute and Training Centre India (MNITC)
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  Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies
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  Marine Engineering & Research Institute (MERI)
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  International Maritime Institute (IMI)

What Different Courses Should You Pursue for a Merchant Navy Career?

If you’re interested in pursuing a professional role in the merchant Navy, here are the different courses that you can enrol in for professional roles, depending on your personal interest and career goals. 

Professional Opportunities after the Merchant Navy

A career in the merchant navy offers a lot of rewarding professional opportunities for interested individuals. It offers a lot of diverse specialised roles with high-paying salaries. Here are different professional jobs that you can go for in the merchant navy and the average pay skills in India, according to AmbitionBox and Glassdoor.

*Please note that salaries may vary depending on the institution, employer, company type, years of experience, vessel, location, and other factors.

Also check: Merchant Navy Salaries 2025: Pay Scales, Benefits, More

Why Choose the Merchant Navy?

One of the most distinguished features of a career in the Merchant Navy is that it has very high prospects of earning a very high salary in comparison to other jobs. On top of that, since you’re involved in international trade, you’re always aware of what is happening in international affairs and what policies are being formed for the betterment of trade across various purposes. Apart from that, if you live an adventurous life and wish to explore the world while also ensuring prosperous growth, the Merchant Navy is the right occupation for you. Here are some other perks:

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  Global Exposure
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  High Salary
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  Adventurous Profession
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  Strong Career Growth
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  Always-in-demand professionals

Takeaway:

Suppose you wish to be part of a global economy and facilitate international transportation in trade; the Merchant Navy is for you. In the Merchant Navy, you shall be safeguarding the national and international maritime interests throughout your career while exploring new locations worldwide. You can be a part of the executives in the Merchant Navy, or join through the engineering field or as educational officers. The Merchant Navy offers incredible, prosperous career growth for interested individuals.