How Females Can Join Merchant Navy ?

The Merchant Navy, like most other fields, including law, firefighting, etc, has historically been a male-dominated industry; however, times have changed. Now, more and more women are entering this arena of work as officers and bringing the much-needed gender equity in this sector.

However, how can women enter the Merchant Navy, and what courses can they take up? These are some of the questions we will answer through this article.

In India, women can join the deck department of a vessel after completing two courses.

Diploma in Nautical Science

This is a one-year pre-sea program, and after completing it, a woman can go on a ship as a deck cadet. After spending atleast 18 months at sea, a woman can appear for the 2nd mate’s Certificate of Competency or CoC exam.

Eligibility

Academic Qualification	At the 10+2 level, minimum of 60% in aggregate ( min 70% in AEMA and 65% aggregate) in PCM subjects.
	[OR]
	B.Sc. in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, or Electronics with Physics as a separate subject in one of the years, with atleast 55% marks in the final year.
	[OR]
	B.E./B.Tech Degree from IIT or a college recognized by AICTE with atleast 50% marks in the final year.
Relaxation for SC/ST Candidates	5% relaxation in eligibility marks of PCM-Average; however, it will not apply to English Marks. Relaxation of 5% in English marks will apply to candidates who are natives of the Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands and belong to their Scheduled Tribes and who & both of whose parents were born in those islands & belong to the Scheduled Tribes of that island.
Age	Minimum age: 17years
	Maximum age: General-27 years, OBC(NCL)-30 years, SC/ST-32 years
English	Atleast 50% marks in English as a separate subject, in either 10th or 12th standard or in the Degree course. No relaxation for SC/ST candidates.
Physical fitness and Medical Criteria	Candidates should be physically fit with 6/6 eyesight without visual aids and no color blindness or night blindness, as specified by DG Shipping.

BSc in Nautical Science

This is a 3-year degree course, and upon completion, one obtains a BSc in Nautical Science and can join a ship as a deck cadet. Unlike the Diploma in Nautical Science, this course requires only 12 months of sea time.

Eligibility

Academic Qualification	10+2/equivalent (PCM – a minimum of 60% aggregate).
English	Minimum of 50% marks in English as a separate subject, in either 10th [OR] 12th standard.
Relaxation for SC/ST candidates	5% relaxation in eligibility marks of PCM; however, it will not apply to English Marks.
	AND
	Relaxation of 5% in English marks will apply to candidates who are native of the Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands and belongs to their Scheduled Tribes and who & both of whose parents were born in those islands & belong to the Scheduled Tribes of those islands.
Medical	The candidate should be physically fit with 6/6 eyesight without visual aids and no color blindness or night blindness, as specified by DG Shipping
Age	Minimum age: 17years
	Maximum age: General-27 years, OBC(NCL)-30 years, SC/ST-32 years
	The reference date for the calculation of the age will be from the date of commencement of the Academic Session.

Women can also join the engine side of the ship as marine engineers. The following courses can be done for the same.

B.Tech Marine Engineering

This is a 4-year degree course in the stream of Engineering that prepares students for a career in marine engineering. A bachelor’s degree in B.Tech Marine Engineering is great for those wanting to join the engine department of a vessel.

Eligibility

Age	Minimum age: 17 years
	Maximum age: General-27 years, OBC (NCL) – 30 years, SC/ST-32 years.
Academic	10+2 in science stream from a recognized Board with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics compulsorily and a minimum overall aggregate of 60%. OR
	Those with 3-year diploma with 60% marks are eligible through a lateral entry scheme.
English	Minimum of 50% in the 10th [OR] 12th exam in the subject of English is compulsory.
Medical	Physically fit and should meet the medical requirements as specified by Director General of Shipping, eyesight 6/12 in each eye without visual aids, and no color blindness.

Graduate Marine Engineering

This 1-year postgraduate diploma program is ideal for those who want to become marine engineers. The graduates of this course can work on ships as junior engineers.

After completing 6 months of sea time training, they become eligible for the class IV MEO exam. After passing this exam, they receive a CoC or Certificate of Competency from the Mercantile Marine department of the Government of India and are promoted to the position of 4th engineer.

Those students with a bachelor’s degree in either naval architecture or mechanical engineering prefer this course.

Eligibility

Age	Not more than 28 years on the day of the start of training.
Education	A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical engineering or Naval Architecture with a minimum of 50% in aggregate.
English	Atleast 50% in English in 10th [OR] 12th exam.
Medical	Minimum of 6/12 vision and perfect hearing is necessary. No night blindness or color blindness.

Electro Technical Officer

An ETO is a part of the ship’s engine department and is responsible for the efficient operation of all onboard equipment, such as the engine room control systems, radars on the bridge, electronic charts, etc. An ETO also oversees other vital systems, including the proper functioning of lifts, reefers and so on. Their scope of work depends on the type of ship, and they are also engaged in cargo operations.

Eligibility

Age	For general category, maximum age is 37 years as of the commencement of the course. For Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates, the maximum age relaxation of 5 years is applicable, and a maximum of 3 years relaxation applies to OBC (NCL) candidates.
Course Duration	For achieving the certificate as an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO), pre-sea Training for ETO on merchant ships of 17 weeks is mandatory along with 8 months of onboard training.
Education	Passed in 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English with a minimum of 50% marks in class 10th [OR] 12th in English.
	After passing 3 years Diploma with 60% marks or 4- year Degree including lateral entry, with 50% marks in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, or Electronics and Instrumentation Electronics and Telecommunication, Communication Engineering, or equivalent courses.
	Candidates who were admitted in the Diploma course based on the Matriculation only and went to complete their B.E./ B. Tech degree course as a lateral entry in the 2nd year of the degree based on the Diploma, and have secured the degree in the disciplines mentioned at (II) of the above, are also permitted to be admitted in the ETO course.
	Diploma in (EE/ ECE/ EEE/EIE) with 60% or B-Tech in (EE/ ECE/ EEE/EIE) with 55%. The diploma or the degree courses should be recognized by any State or Central Government or the AICTE.
Medical	As per existing MS Medical Rules 2000/MLC 2006 applicable to seafarers, a candidate must have good health and be fit for sea service. SCI empaneled DG-approved Doctors to do the medical fitness check.

You might also like to read-

Disclaimer :
The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.

About Author

Zahra is an SEO-Strategist & a Technical Writer with over 5 years of experience crafting top-tier content for the shipping world. From news, articles, ebooks, blogs and marketing pieces to industry white papers, she has written it all and now brings that experience to her role as Senior Editor. She makes complex maritime stories clear, sharp, and engaging.

Read More Articles By This Author >