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Merchant Navy Course After 12th Admission

Merchant Navy Course After 12th 2025

For students who want to make their career in commercial shipping merchant navy is the best option.

Pooja Gautam
By Pooja Gautam
5 min read
July 15, 2025

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

A Merchant Navy course after the 12th is a highly rewarding field. To make a career in the merchant navy after 10+2 is the right decision. Students can choose to work in the desk and engine department. There are several courses available after 10+2. For those who have completed their 10+2 in the science stream, they can pursue a diploma in nautical science, a BSc in nautical science, and a BTech in marine engineering. There are options available for students who have done 10+2 in the arts and commerce streams. A fee for the course can be between INR 40,000 to INR 8 Lakh, depending on specialization and course duration. 

Merchant Navy Course After 12th Highlight Table:

Courses available

Diploma in nautical science, BSc in Nautical Science, BTech in nautical science

Eligibility

  • 10+2 with subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, having a minimum of 50%-60% marks

  • The age of students should be between 17 and 25 years

  • Students have to pass the physical test

Approved by 

Director General of Shipping

Affiliated by 

Indian Marine University

Fee

Between INR 40,000 to INR 8 Lakhs, depending on the institute and course

Entrance Exam

Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test IMU CET

Job opportunities

Deck Cadet, Chief Officer, Captain, Maritime Engineers, Catering and Hospitality Crew

Merchant Navy Course After 12th

To join the merchant navy, students should have completed 10+2 with subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Commerce and arts students cannot join the merchant navy as officers. Students of the arts and commerce stream can join the merchant navy as ratings or crew members. Students can complete a 6-month training program followed by 9 months of shipboard training. After the training program, students can work as a motorman, oilman, fitter, deck seaman, or bosun. The salary package of crew members can be between INR 3 LPA to INR 8 LPA. 

Merchant Navy Course After 12th Fees

Merchant navy courses after 12th fees can vary significantly in India, based on specific courses and institutions. Typically, fees can range between INR 1,50,000 to 19,00,000 per annum for the merchant navy course. Here is mention detailed breakdown of the fee structure:

  • Diploma in Nautical Science - The fee can range from INR 2 to 6 Lakh per year (depending on the institutions).

  • BSc in Nautical Science - Fee structure can range betwwen INR 1,50,000 to 22,000,00 per year (depending on the institutions).

  • B.Tech in Marine Engineering - Fee can range between INR 9 to 19 LPA (depending on the institutions).

  • GP Rating - The fee structure can range from INR 1.5 to 5 LPA (depending on the institutions).

Diploma in Nautical Sciences: 

A diploma in nautical science is a one-year residential course. The course teaches students the fundamentals of marine navigation, seamanship, and safety management. Students who have completed their 10+2 from subjects including Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with at least a minimum of 50%-60% marks can apply for the diploma course. After completing the course, one can pursue a career as a navigating officer, deck officer, ship surveyor, port manager, or marine safety inspector. Fees of the course can be between INR 2.75 Lakh to INR 5 Lakh, depending on the institutes. Some institutions offer sponsorship, which can cover the fees. Salary after completion of the course can be between INR 4 LPA to INR 12 LPA, depending on the rank, employer, ship type, and experience.

BSc in Nautical Science: 

BSc in nautical science is a 3 three-year undergraduate degree course that prepares students for a maritime career. The course covers topics such as navigation, ship operations, maritime law, and practical skills related to it. It can be done after completion of the intermediate 10+2 from a recognized board with subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Some institutions ask for a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Students can work as deck cadets, third or second officers, chief officers, marine pilots, and others. Fees of the course can be between INR 2.75 Lakh to INR 12 Lakh, depending on the institute. After completion of the course, candidates can expect a salary package of INR 5 LPA to INR 15 LPA, depending on the company, ship, and experience.

BTech in Marine Engineering: 

BTech in marine engineering is a four-year undergraduate program focused on the design, operation, construction, and maintenance of ships. To pursue the course, students should have completed 10+2 in the science stream with the subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Students should have attained a minimum of 60% marks. In addition, students have to pass the IMU CET entrance test. The age of candidates should be between 17 and 25. The course prepares students for job roles, including marine engineer, ship surveyor, marine consultant, marine project manager, marine superintendent, marine educator, and others. The salary package after completion of BTech in marine engineering can be between INR 8 LPA to INR 20 LPA, depending on experience, rank, and ship type.

Top Colleges for Merchant Navy After 12th: 

Many government and private institutes offer merchant navy courses after the 12th. There is a high competition for admission in merchant navy courses. You have to qualify for the IMU CET entrance test to get admission to the courses. The top institutes providing merchant navy courses are the Indian Maritime University, Chennai, and Tolani Maritime Institute. International Maritime Institute, Coimbatore Marine College, Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies, Indian Maritime University Kolkata, Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research.

List of "Top" colleges for pursuing merchant navy courses:

  • Indian Maritime University (IMU)

  • Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI)

  • Marine Engineering & Research Institute (MERI)

  • Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS)

  • International Maritime Institute (IMI)

  • Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training (HIMT)

Merchant Navy Course After 12th: Duration

After the 12th grade, a merchant navy course can typically take 1-4 years in duration. Diploma courses generally take one year to complete the course as a diploma in nautical science.

Can Girls Join the Merchant Navy After the 12th? 

Girls can also join the merchant navy after completing the 12th with subjects in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The courses available for girls to join are a diploma or a BSc in nautical science, or a BTech in marine engineering. Generally, the required marks in the 12th are 60% or higher. The age for pursuing a course in marine engineering is usually between 17 and 25 years. Girls have to pass the entrance examination, IMU CET, to get admission to the courses. In addition, Physical fitness is also required for admission to the courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students who are interested in making their career in the merchant navy after the 12th, will need to complete a degree or a diploma with strong performance in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) in their 12th grade.

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