Merchant Navy Salary in India 2025: Unlock a Bright Future

“The Navy is much more than a job; much more than service to the country. It is a way of life. It gets in your blood.” – Albert F Pratt

The Indian Merchant Navy provides a high-paying career path that offers high salaries and the opportunity to travel the world. However, merchant navy salary in India can vary depending on a number of factors, including their experience, rank, and the type of ship they work on. In this blog post, we will take a look at the average merchant navy salary, merchant navy salary per month, and the factors that affect it.

Advantages of Merchant Navy

There are several advantages for individuals looking to pursue a career in the Merchant Navy:

1. Global Travel: One of the biggest advantages of a career in Merchant Navy is the opportunity to travel around the world.
2. Financial Stability: Careers in the Merchant Navy come with great salaries and benefits for individuals.
3. Career Growth: There are clear paths for career advancement in the Merchant Navy. Starting from entry-level positions, individuals can progress to higher ranks with experience, additional training, and qualifications.
4. Job Security: The demand for Merchant Navy remains steady due to global trade and the need for maritime transportation.
5. Diverse Opportunities: The Merchant Navy offers roles for individuals with a wide range of skills and interests, from engineering and navigation to hospitality and logistics.

Merchant Navy Salary

The starting salary for a merchant navy officer in India is around ₹7.2 LPA, while the highest merchant navy officer salary in India is ₹37 LPA. So, the merchant navy salary per month in India is between ₹60,000 and ₹3,08,000.

Factors that may affect the Indian Merchant Navy Salary:

1. Rank: The salary of merchant navy officer is paid according to his/her rank. The higher the rank, the higher the salary.
2. Experience: The salary of a merchant navy officer increases with experience. The more experience they have, the higher their salary.
3. Type of ship: Indian Merchant Navy officers who work on certain types of ships, such as oil tankers and container ships, are paid more than those who work on other types of ships.
4. Company: The company that a merchant navy officer works for can also affect their salary. Some companies pay more than others.

Merchant Navy Ranks and Salary in India

The Indian Merchant Navy salary in India varies based on rank, experience, and the type of ship you work on. The Merchant Navy pays well, which makes it a great career option for those looking for adventure, international travel, and good money. Let’s look into the details of different positions in the Indian Merchant Navy, their salary range in India, and the opportunities available for those starting a career at sea.

The table below explains the Indian Navy Ranks and Salary in India:

Rank	Minimum Educational Qualification	Salary Range (Annual)
Deck Cadet	Class 12 and Pre-sea Diploma in Nautical Science	1.2 to 7 Lakhs
Captain	Master Certificate of Completion	2.2 to 15 Lakhs
Chief Officer Post	First Mate Certification Completion	9 to 50 lakh
GP Rating Post	Class 10	7.20 Lakhs
2nd & 3rd Officer	Second Mate Certification Completion	3.5 to 8 Lakhs

Note: The Indian Merchant Navy Captain salary per month is between Rs. 72,000 and Rs. 1,66,666. It is one of the highest salaries in India for all positions in the merchant navy.

Salary Source: Ambitionbox

Merchant Navy Salary In India for Fresher

The entry-level pay scale in the Merchant Navy for freshers is around INR 7.2 LPA, which is equivalent to ₹60,000 per month.

While a career as a merchant navy seaman offers substantial earning potential, it’s always a good idea to explore various career options to find the best fit for your interests and skills. For a broader view of high-paying and rewarding professions, check out our detailed guide on the top career options. This resource provides valuable insights into a variety of fields, helping you make an informed decision about your future career path.

Merchant Navy Salary After 10th

Students who have passed the Class 10 board exam with a minimum cumulative score of 45% are eligible to enroll in the GP Rating course by completing an application and showing up for a series of assessments that assess both physical and mental aptitude.

• This six-month General-Purpose Rating pre-sea training primarily prepares cadets for the roles of Engine Rating and Deck Rating.
• The minimum and maximum ages to enroll in the training program are 17 and 25, respectively.
• Candidates can begin working as Engine or Deck crew after completing the GP rating training.

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Merchant Navy Salary After 12th

After completing high school, one can select from a variety of courses that will ensure a respectable merchant navy salary. Those who are interested in joining the Indian Merchant Navy after graduation are trained to perform crucial tasks like daily environmental monitoring, ship maintenance, and upkeep of firefighting and life-saving equipment. In addition to these, they also have other responsibilities at the port.

After passing their Class 12 exams, candidates who want to join the merchant navy must meet the specific qualifying requirements given below:

• Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 60% in the required subjects of Physics, Chemistry, English, and Mathematics.
• Applicants must not be older than 17 to 25 years old when the course officially starts.
• The Pre-Sea Nautical Diploma program prepares students for Trainee Cadet and Deck Cadet roles.
• After obtaining significant years of experience and acquiring new abilities and information, there is a gradual salary increase following the 12th grade.

Below is a list of the courses one can enroll in to become a merchant navy officer, with the data of merchant navy salary after 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

Also Read: Career Options after 12th Non-Medical

Entrance Exam for Merchant Navy

To join the Merchant Navy, you’ll need to pass one of the entrance exams. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU CET)
2. JEE Advanced
3. All India Merchant Navy Entrance Test (AIMNET)
4. TMIS-BITS-EE

These exams assess your proficiency in subjects like English, General Aptitude, Science, Mathematics, and General Knowledge.

Merchant Navy Job Profile

Let’s go through the job profile and the merchant navy seaman salary applicable for each position:

Job Profile	Job Description
Deck Cadet	Maintaining ships, making life-saving essentials available on the ship, driving the ship, etc.
Chief Officer	Cargo loading, cargo unloading, undertaking navigation watch duty, managing other cargo operations, etc.
Captain	A captain is in command of the entire ship and will handle any legal issues that arise during maritime operations.
Maritime engineers	Supervise the maintenance work of the ship and the operational efficiency of the maritime equipment.
Catering and Hospitality Crew	Handle the catering department. Also responsible for taking care of the guests and their food and beverage requirements.

Salary Source: Ambitionbox, Glassdoor

Merchant Navy 2nd Officer Salary

The merchant navy salary for 2nd officers tends to increase as the candidates move up and gain experience. The Merchant Navy salary after 5 years for a seaman is around 36 lakhs. More details regarding the merchant navy salary for a 2nd officer are explained in the following points:

• 2nd officers control the navigation of ships through radar, GPS, and other technologies. Their duties include monitoring daily weather reports and listening to weather broadcasts.
• These officers are also selected for a training program at a college offering nautical courses and gain practical experience.
• After going through these procedures, they are bestowed with an MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) Certificate. Officers with higher education credentials may be exempt from going through these stages of training.

Their average yearly salary for 2^nd officer based on their experience is given in the table below:

Experience	Average Annual Salary (₹)
0 to 4 years	17 Lakhs
5 to 10 years	36 Lakhs

Merchant Navy 3rd Officer Salary

The 3rd officer salary in Merchant Navy varies as per the shipping company and type of ship on which they work. Some important details regarding their salary are explained below.

• Their key duties include taking care of the crew and monitoring whether they fulfil their responsibilities. They also need to take care of the fuel, machinery, and equipment used on the ships, technical operations, etc.
• After completing the training period, they get an MCA certificate. The training mostly happens during their duty.
• Acquiring further MCA qualifications and gaining practical experience can gradually increase their merchant navy officer salary. After acquiring these certifications, they are bestowed with better job opportunities and senior roles.

The average 3rd officer salary in the Merchant Navy, according to experience, is detailed below:

Experience	Average Annual Salary (₹)
0 to 4 years	13 Lakhs
5 to 10 years	21 Lakhs
More than 10 years	36 Lakhs

Company-Wise Salary for Merchant Navy

Numerous renowned merchant navy companies have headquarters in India, and they frequently hire both experienced and recent graduates for a variety of professions. Top merchant navy enterprises in India include ESSAR SHIPPING LTD, ABG SHIPYARD, MERCATOR LTD, and others.

The average salaries in India for different shipping companies operating in India are 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

Salary Source: Ambition Box

Key Takeaways

Merchant Navy seaman are paid differently depending on the work they accomplish. They tour the world, handle cargo, keep an eye on ship direction, fix the ship, clean the ship, discover new cultures, etc. in their everyday routines.

The movement of people or products is managed by the merchant navy, a non-combatant organization. So, as a merchant navy officer, it will be your responsibility to see to it that the people and/or goods aboard the ships you command are delivered safely.

Based on a candidate’s educational background, the Merchant Navy offers a variety of profiles.

Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on career advice.

Frequently Asked Questions