After Class 10 or 12
GP Rating
A six-month pre-sea course that trains you to work on deck and in the engine room as part of a ship's crew. It is the quickest way to start sailing.
- Pre-sea training
- 6 months
- Marks needed
- 40% overall and 40% in English
- Age
- 17½ to 25 years
After Class 12 with PCM
DNS Sponsorship
Get selected by a shipping company as a deck cadet, study one year for the Diploma in Nautical Science, then sail for 18 months. The fastest officer route after Class 12.
- Academy training
- 1 year
- Marks needed
- 60% in PCM, 50% in English
- Leads to
- Second Mate certificate
After Class 12 with PCM
BNS Sponsorship
A three-year B.Sc in Nautical Science at an IMU campus or affiliated institute, then 12 months at sea as a deck cadet. Company sponsorship makes the sea time easier to get.
- Academy training
- 3 years
- Marks needed
- 60% in PCM, 50% in English
- Leads to
- Second Mate certificate
Class 12 with PCM
IMU CET Coaching
Coaching for the Indian Maritime University entrance exam, needed for DNS, B.Sc Nautical Science and B.Tech Marine Engineering. All six sections, PYQs and full mock tests.
- Exam
- 3 hours, 200 MCQs
- Sections
- Maths, Physics, English, Chemistry, GK, Aptitude
- Usually held
- May or June
After B.E./B.Tech Mechanical
GME Marine Engineering
A one-year pre-sea course that turns mechanical engineers into marine engineers, leading to the MEO Class IV certificate and the rank of Fourth Engineer.
- Pre-sea training
- About 1 year
- Marks needed
- 50% in the final year
- Age
- Up to 28 years
Compare the routes
Eligibility rules differ between institutes and change from year to year. We check the current notification with you before you apply.
- DNSDiploma in Nautical ScienceClass 12 with PCM1 year at the academy, then about 18 months at seaDeck Cadet, then Second MateCourse details
- B.Sc Nautical ScienceBNS, a three-year degreeClass 12 with PCM3 years at the academy, then 12 months at seaDeck Cadet, then Second MateCourse details
- GP RatingGeneral Purpose RatingClass 10 or 126 months of pre-sea trainingTrainee OS on deck or Trainee Wiper in the engine roomCourse details
- GMEGraduate Marine EngineeringB.E./B.Tech MechanicalAbout 1 year pre-sea, then shipboard trainingTrainee Marine Engineer, then Fourth EngineerCourse details
Where a career at sea leads
Every officer route ends at the same place: command of a ship, or of its engine room. Each step up needs sea time and a DG Shipping certificate of competency (CoC).
- Deck CadetTraining at sea
- Third OfficerSecond Mate CoC
- Second OfficerSecond Mate CoC
- Chief OfficerChief Mate CoC
- MasterMaster CoC
- Engine CadetTrainee Marine Engineer
- Fourth EngineerMEO Class IV
- Third EngineerMEO Class IV
- Second EngineerMEO Class II
- Chief EngineerMEO Class I
DNS and B.Sc Nautical Science lead to the deck ladder. GME leads to the engine ladder. GP Ratings sail as crew: Trainee OS, OS, AB and Bosun on deck, or Wiper, Motorman and Fitter in the engine room. With sea time and further exams, a rating can move up to officer rank.
Not sure which route fits you?
Tell us your marks, age and eyesight. We will tell you honestly which courses you qualify for and what to do next.