How do I join merchant navy after 12th in India?

To join the Indian Merchant Navy after the 12th standard, a candidate must qualify through the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU-CET) and undergo mandatory pre-sea training at a maritime training institute approved by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). This process is strictly regulated under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, and adheres to international maritime conventions to ensure the highest standards of safety and professional competence. The primary academic eligibility criterion is the completion of the 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). Candidates must typically secure a minimum aggregate of 60% in PCM and at least 50% marks in English at either the 10th or 12th-grade level. Following the academic qualification, candidates must pass the IMU-CET, which is the centralized entrance examination for various maritime programs in India. There are two main professional streams for 12th-standard graduates: 1. Nautical Stream (Deck Department): Candidates can opt for a 3-year B.Sc. in Nautical Science or a 1-year Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS). This path leads to a career as a Navigating Officer. 2. Engineering Stream (Engine Department): Candidates can pursue a 4-year B.Tech in Marine Engineering to become a Marine Engineer Officer. All pre-sea training programs are designed to comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended. This convention sets the global baseline for the competence of seafarers. Trainees must also complete the mandatory Basic Safety Training (BST) courses, which include Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Elementary First Aid (EFA), and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR). Medical fitness is a non-negotiable requirement. Candidates must be certified fit by a DGS-approved medical practitioner. For the Nautical stream, 6/6 vision in both eyes without aids and the absence of color blindness are mandatory. For the Engineering stream, certain refractive errors may be permissible within specific limits defined by DGS guidelines. Upon successful completion of the pre-sea training, candidates are issued an Indian National Database of Seafarers (INDoS) number and a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC). These documents are essential for employment on board vessels. Furthermore, in accordance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006, candidates should seek recruitment only through agencies holding a valid Recruitment and Placement Services License (RPSL) issued by the DGS. The training curriculum also introduces cadets to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). Understanding these regulations is critical for ensuring vessel integrity, environmental protection, and operational safety during subsequent sea service and throughout a professional maritime career. Only after completing the required sea-time and passing the Certificate of Competency (CoC) examinations conducted by the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) can an individual progress to higher ranks such as Master Mariner or Chief Engineer.