The Merchant Navy is a beneficial career course that offers high salaries and the opportunity to travel the world. However, merchant navy salary in India can vary depending on quite several factors, along with their experience, rank, and the type of role in which they work. A merchant navy career can be rewarding. Merchant Navy Salary officers can get handsome salaries and the opportunity to travel to the world and enjoy special cultures. However, it is important to note that a merchant navy career can also be challenging because they need to work long hours and spend long intervals of time away from their family. In this blog, we tell you about the job role of merchant navy officers, their salary, and factors that affect their salary in India.
Overview Merchant Navy Salary Per Month in India
The Merchant Navy course gives several job opportunities to candidates based on their educational qualifications. Merchant Navy Salary for personnel falls from INR 40,000 to INR 90,000 per month. Similar to different careers, numerous key factors affect the salary in the Merchant Navy, such as rank, experience, organization, job profile, etc. Individuals who want to become part of the Merchant Navy usually need to be between 17.5 and 25 years old to become eligible for it.
Entry-stage salaries in the Merchant Navy Salary typically range from INR 25,000 to 60,000 per month, whilst the very best salary can attain up to INR 20 lakhs per month for a Captain. With 5 to 10 years of experience, their salary can be expected around INR 8 lakhs per annum. To know about the job profile of merchant navy officers, here is the table you should look
| Job Profile | Job Description |
|---|---|
| Deck Cadet | Responsibilities include ship safety, making sure vital safety system availability, and operating the delivery, amongst other duties. |
| Chief Officer | Tasks involve overseeing cargo loading and unloading, navigation watch responsibility, and managing various shipment operations onboard the vessel. |
| Captain | The captain is responsible for ship-related tasks. Captain is able to deal with maritime operations and address any legal issues that can arise at some point in voyages. |
| Maritime Engineers | Supervise ship renovation and ensure the operational performance of maritime systems and structures. |
| The captain is responsible for ship-related tasks. Captain can deal with maritime operations and address any legal issues that can arise at some point in voyages. | Responsible for dealing with the catering branch, attending to visitor needs, and making sure exceptional food and beverage services onboard. |
Merchant Navy Salary in India for All Ranks
In India, the Merchant Navy offers attractive salary packages that vary primarily based on the rank, experience, and type of service they give. The salary of the Merchant Navy is competitive, making it an attractive career option for those in search of traveling rewards, global exposure, and considerable financial rewards. Let’s discover the information on the Merchant Navy Salary in India.
| Merchant Navy Profile | Qualification | Merchant Navy Salary Per Month (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| G P Rating | Class 10 | Rs. 25,000 to 60,000 per month |
| Trainee Cadet | Class 12, along with a pre-sea Nautical Diploma | Rs. 25,000 to 85,000 per month |
| Deck Cadet | Class 12, along with a pre-sea Nautical Diploma | Rs. 25,000 to 85,000 per month |
| 3rd Officer | 2nd Mate (FG) Certificate of Competency | Rs. 1,50,000 to 3,00,000 per month |
| Chief Officer | 1st Mate (FG) Certificate of Competency | Rs. 4,00,000 to 6,00,000 per month |
| Merchant Navy Captain | Master (FG) Certificate of Competency | Rs. 8,65,000 to 20,00,000 per month |
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What is the Merchant Navy Salary After 12th Class?
Once the candidate completes high school, they get several options to choose from that can result in a well-paying salary as a Navy officer. Candidates who want to be a part of a Merchant Navy Salary career after graduation undergo training for important responsibilities, including regular environmental monitoring, delivery preservation, and the proper handling of firefighting and life-saving systems. Upon finishing their 12th exams, students aspiring to enroll in the merchant navy must meet the following eligibility requirements.
- Attain a minimum Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 60% in Physics, Chemistry, English, and Mathematics.
- Candidates need to be in the age group of 17 to 25 years at the start of the course.
- The Pre-Sea Nautical Diploma application is designed to equip college students for positions that include Trainee Cadet and Deck Cadet.
Below, we tell you the salary of a Merchant Navy officer in India after the 12th
| Degree | Expected Salary |
|---|---|
| BSc Nautical Science | INR 7 LPA |
| BTech Marine Engineering | INR 7 LPA |
| BTech Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering | INR 5 LPA |
| BTech Harbour & Ocean Engineering | INR 5 LPA |
| BBA Shipping | INR 2.2 LPA |
| Electro-Technical Officer Course | INR 14 LPA |
| Commercial Diving | INR 9 LPA |
| MBA Shipping and Logistics Management | INR 6 LPA |
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What is the Merchant Navy Salary After 10th
Students who have passed their Class 10 board exams with a minimum of 45% marks are eligible to join the GP Rating course. They need to fill out a registration form and undergo a series of tests to check their physical and mental capabilities.
The GP Rating course is 6 months long and prepares cadets for two main roles: Engine and Deck Rating. To become part of the course, candidates should be between 17 and 25 years old. After completing the GP Rating course, candidates can begin working as a part of the Engine or Deck crew. With 3 years of experience, they can appear for the second Mate Examination to become Officers. They can then develop to better-ranking positions through oral or written examinations further.
The starting salary for applicants who have finished class 10 board exams and joined the Merchant Navy ranges from INR 25,000 to 30,000. Salary will increase based on examinations and achievements through the years.
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2nd Officer Salary in Merchant Navy with experience wise
The 2nd merchant navy officer’s salary in India depends on the type of ship, experience, and ship companies. The process includes a fair salary package alongside several chances to boost one’s experience and the role of the employer.
- 2nd officers are responsible for the navigation of the ships with the assistance of radar and GPS systems. They also need to determine the weather conditions by using available sources.
- Usually, the 2nd officers are appointed by an education scheme including analysis at a nautical university, and get practical experience to benefit the MCA or Maritime and Coastguard Agency Certificate of Competency.
- With the applicable qualification or Higher National Diploma, some officers are exempt from some stages of training.
- The average salary of a 2nd Officer in the Merchant Navy is INR 3.4 LPA, which increases upon further examinations and career experience
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| 2-4 years | 17 L |
| 5-10 years | 36 L |
3rd Officer Salary in Merchant Navy with Experience Wise
The 3rd Officer’s Salary in the Merchant Navy also depends on the type of employer as well as the ships involved. Here is essential information about the third Officer’s Salary in the Merchant Navy
- The third officer is responsible for monitoring the work and responsibilities of the entire crew. In addition to the technical operations, speed, fuel, and use of equipment are also the third officer’s responsibility.
- Once the training time is complete and upon receiving the MCA Certificate, a maximum of the training of the 3rd merchant navy officer will take place on grounds whilst doing the task.
- With time, the candidates are also given similar opportunities to gain more experience. Gaining more MCA qualifications further brings the candidate opportunities to get senior roles.
- The average salary of an experienced 3rd Officer in the Merchant Navy is INR 4 L – 8 L per month.
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| 0-4 years | 13 L |
| 5-10 years | 21 L |
| >10 years | 36 L |
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Company-Wise Salary for Merchant Navy
There are various renowned merchant navy agencies that have headquarters in India, and they frequently hire skilled and recent graduates for a number of careers. Top merchant navy companies in India encompass ESSAR SHIPPING LTD, ABG SHIPYARD, MERCATOR LTD, and others. The average salary for one-of-a-kind shipping groups operating in India is shown below.
| Company Name | Estimated Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| ESSAR SHIPPING LTD | 13 LPA |
| Anglo-Eastern Ship Management | 4 LPA |
| Fleet Management | 10 LPA |
| BHARTI DEFENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED | 12 LPA |
| THE SHIPPING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD | 7 LPA |
Merchant Navy Salary: Experience Wise
Experience performs a main role in determining the salary of merchant navy officers. The more experience a candidate has, the more the chance they have to get a handsome salary. Usually, the starting merchant navy salary ranges from INR 4.55 LPA – 6 LPA, whilst candidates with years of experience starting from 7 – 10 years are compensated with an average salary of INR 30 LPA – 75 LPA and more. Here are the experience-wise merchant navy salary in India
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| 0 – 5 years | 7.50 L & above |
| 6 – 10 years | 17 L & above |
| 11 – 15 years | 30 L & above |
| 16 – 20 years | 53 L & above |
| 21 years & above | 1 Crore & above |
Merchant Navy Captain Salary
The Merchant Navy Captain’s salary after gaining years of experience ranges from INR 20 L – 40 L per month. However, after gaining experience of more than 20 years, the average Merchant Navy Salary Captain’s Salary is increased to INR 3 Crores – 5 Crores per month. Here is the table below that shows you a merchant navy captain’s salary in India, according to their experience
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| 0 – 5 years | 28 L |
| 6 – 10 years | 45 L |
| 11 – 15 years | 85 L |
| 16 – 20 years | 1 Crore |
| 20 years and above | 2 Crores & above |
Merchant Navy Salary in India By Rank Wise
The following table shows you the rank-wise salary of merchant navy officers in India.
| Ranks Average | Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| G P Rating post | 7.20 L |
| Trainee Cadet post | 10.20 L |
| Deck Cadet | 15 L |
| 2nd/3rd Officer Post | 60 L |
| Chief Officer Post | 78 L |
| Captain | 2.40 Crore |
How to Join Merchant Navy?
To join the Merchant Navy, the first step is deciding on the job profile. While many of us think that the Merchant Navy is all about traveling from here to there and working on ships in the ocean, very few know that there are various profiles in the Merchant Navy job. Let’s understand how you could join the Merchant Navy.
Step 1. Choose your path:
- Deck Officer: They are in charge of navigating the ship and ensuring its safe passage. Those interested in joining the deck are required to complete a Bachelor of Science (Nautical Science) or Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
- Engine Officer: Those who join the engine department are responsible for maintaining and operating the ship’s machinery. They require a Bachelor of Engineering (Marine Engineering) or a Diploma in Marine Engineering.
- Catering: Responsible for working in the kitchen and food department of the ship and responsible for handling the kitchen and looking after the food and kitchen requirements of the sailors. They are required to complete a maritime catering course, or obtain a diploma in culinary arts, and pass STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) certification to demonstrate their seafaring safety knowledge.
- There are several other job profiles in the Merchant Navy and the courses for the profiles vary depending on the profile.
Step 2. Meet the eligibility:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) with at least 60% aggregate marks.
- Physical Fitness: Pass a strict medical test that checks for eyesight, hearing, color vision, etc.
- Age Limit: Candidates should be between 17 and 25 years old, but this may vary depending on the course and institute.
Step 3. Pass the entrance exams:
Candidates who want to join the merchant navy must prepare for the entrance exams alongside their board exams. Some of the common entrance exams are:
- IMU CET: Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (compulsory for government training institutes).
- AIMNET: All India Merchant Navy Entrance Test (well-accepted by various private institutes).
- Shipping company-sponsored exams: Some companies conduct their own entrance exams for direct cadet recruitment and offer sponsorships to bright students.
Step 4. Undertake pre-sea Training:
Undergoing pre-sea training will help you acquire skills necessary for sailing on ships and prepare you for navigation and safety practices on ships.
- Take admission to a DG Shipping-approved Maritime Training Institute (MTI) for a 1 year pre-ea training program.
- This course will give you both theoretical knowledge and practical training in navigation, machinery, technicalities, safety procedures, etc.
- It also teaches STCW ((Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) certificates which are compulsory for seafaring.
Step 5. Acquire Seafaring Experience:
- Join a shipping company as a cadet and obtain practical experience at sea under the guidance of senior officers.
- Depending on your chosen profile, you will advance through ranks such as Deck Cadet, Officer Trainee, Third Officer, and Second Officer.
- Each rank involves passing ability exams conducted by DG Shipping.
Step 6: Further Your Education:
While a BE/BTech/BSc degree will get you a job in an entry-level position, to progress to a higher rank and earn a higher salary, you must complete your MTech/ME courses. A master’s degree can help you obtain a specialization in a specific field, such as naval architecture, dredging and harbor engineering, marine engineering, and more.
Merchant Navy Course
Although there are various courses to join the merchant navy, here are some of the notable undergraduate courses that can open the doors of the merchant navy for you:
| Course | Duration | Minimum Age Limit |
| BE Marine Engineering | 4 Years | 17 years |
| BSc in Nautical Science | 3 Years | 17 years |
| BTech Marine Engineering | 4 Years | 17 years |
| BTech in Ship Building | 4 Years | 17 years |
| BTech in Naval Architecture | 4 Years | 17 years |
| B.E. Petroleum Engineering | 4 Years | 17 years |
| B.E. in Harbour & Ocean Engineering | 4 Years | 17 years |
| B.Sc. Marine Catering | 3 Years | 17 years |
Here is the list of diploma programs and other specialized courses for the Merchant Navy.
| Diploma Programs | Other Specialized Programs |
| Diploma in Marine Engineering (DME) | G.P Rating (General Purpose Rating) |
| Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) | Marine Engineering under Alternate Training Scheme |
| Postgraduate Programs | Higher National Diploma (Nautical Science) |
| MBA in Shipping & Logistics Management | Higher National Diploma (Marine Engineering) |
| MBA in Shipping Finance | B.B.A. in Logistics & Supply Chain Management |
| Diploma in Nautical Science | Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) |
| Certificate Course Maritime Catering |
Merchant Navy Syllabus
The five subjects for the Common Entrance Exam (CET) for the Merchant Navy are: English, General Aptitude, Science, Mathematics, and General Knowledge. The syllabus is designed depending on the course structure of the Merchant Navy:
1) English
| Parts of Speech |
| Synonyms and Antonyms |
| Meaning of words/phrases |
| Tenses |
| Phrasal verbs |
| Idioms |
2) General Aptitude
| Critical Reasoning | Clocks |
| Word Groups | Stocks |
| Instructions | Time & Distance |
| Structural Analysis | Height & Distance |
| Syllogism (Logic) | Quantitative Aptitude |
| Syllogism (Logic-based questions) | Analytical Reasoning |
| Fill in / Completion of series based on Pattern / Logic | Logic Reasoning |
| Data Sufficiency | Fault Diagnosis |
| Data Interpretation | Abstract Reasoning |
| Pipes & Cisterns | Mechanical Reasoning |
| Odd Man Out | Mixture & Allegation |
| Boat & Streams | Ratio |
| Numerical Computation | Numerical Reasoning |
| Numerical Estimation | Calendar |
| Time & Work |
3) Science
| Nature of Matter | Work, Energy and Power |
| Universe (Planets/ Earth/ Satellites/ Sun) | Heat, Temperature, metals and Non- Metals, |
| Electricity and its applications | Carbon and its Compounds |
| Force and Gravitation | Measurements in Science |
| Newton’s Laws Of Motion | Sound & Wave Motion |
4) Mathematics
| Mathematical Simplification | Geometry |
| Ratio and Proportion | Measures of Central Tendency |
| Algebraic Identities | Interest |
| Linear Equations and Polynomials | Profit |
| Simultaneous Equations | Loss and Percentage |
| Basic Trigonometry | Work, Time, Speed and Distance |
| Simple Mensuration |
5) General Knowledge
| Geography: Soil, Rivers, Mountains, Ports, Inland, Harbors. |
| Current Affairs: Common Names, Full Forms, Abbreviations, Languages, Capitals and Currencies. |
| History: Awards and Authors, Discoveries, Defense, Wars, Neighbors, Diseases and Nutrition. |
| Eminent Personalities, National: Bird/Animal/Sport/Flower/Anthem/ Song/Flag/Monuments. |
| Culture and Religion: Important National Facts about India, Freedom Movement, Heritage, Arts and Dance. |
Merchant Navy Entrance Exam
Several types of Merchant Navy entrance exams are available in India for Merchant Navy job profiles. They are:
- IMU CET (Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test): Widely accepted national-level exam, particularly mandatory for admission to government training institutes.
- AIMNET (All India Merchant Navy Entrance Test): Another important entrance exam, especially for those who want to join private institutes or are having trouble getting admission to government institutes can take AIMNET, which is widely accepted by many private institutions.
- Company-Specific Exams: Some shipping companies conduct their exams to recruit deck cadets and officers, and provide scholarships to them as well.
- JEE Advance: Aspiring candidates can also take a JEE advance entrance test with which they can enroll in the Maritime Engineering program at an India Institute of Technology (IIT).
Conclusion
Merchant Navy officers’ salaries range according to their role, experience, rank, etc. As part of their daily work, they explore the world, control cargo, learn the course, repair and smooth the delivery, gain experience, and many more benefits. The merchant navy officer oversees the transportation of products and monitors the junior officers. It is your responsibility as an officer in the merchant navy to ensure the secure transport of all individuals and loads carried by the ships you command. The Merchant Navy Salary presents a range of job profiles that are primarily based on an applicant’s educational qualification, experience, skills, etc.
FAQ’s:-
1) What is the salary of the Merchant Navy in India per month?
The starting salary for the merchant navy lies between INR 4.80 to 6 LPA which is equivalent to INR 40,000 to 50,000 per month. Also, an experienced merchant navy officer who has approximately experience of up to 10 years with an average monthly salary of INR 1.64 lakh.
2) What is the maximum salary offered in the Merchant Navy?
The maximum salary offered in the Merchant Navy can vary significantly depending on several factors such as rank, experience, employer, and the type of vessel. The starting salary in the merchant navy in India is 0.3 lakhs per year and the highest is Rs 18.0 lakhs per year.
3) Does the Merchant Navy offer permanent employment?
In the merchant navy, individuals typically work under a contractual agreement. The nature of work can be either contractual or permanent, it depends upon whether one is getting a salary for a specific contract or a year-round salary.
4) Which Merchant Navy position has the highest salary?
The position of captain in the merchant navy has the highest salary which starts from RS.8,65,000 to 2,00,0000 per month. Whereas most individuals in the merchant navy work on contractual terms.
5) What are the qualifications required to join the Merchant Navy?
The candidate must have completed their 10th and 12th grade of education. The age typically lies between 17 to 25 years and the candidate must clear the exam of mental and physical health.
6) What is the salary of the Merchant Navy after the 12th?
After the 12th The starting salary for a merchant navy lies between INR 4.80 to 6 LPA which is equal to 40,000 to 50,000 per month. The salary in the merchant navy mostly depends upon the post and type of work.
7) What does the term “Merchant Navy” refer to?
The term merchant navy(Commercial Navy) refers to the international commercial shipping industry. The merchant navy is made up of many shipping companies that recruit civilians as seafarers.