How to join · India
Merchant Navy after ITI
After ITI you can join the Merchant Navy as a GP rating. Under DGS Order 12 of 2026, a quarter of the seats in every approved GP Rating course are reserved for candidates with technical trades such as welding, fitter, mechanic, electrical, plumbing or computer trades. The age limit is 17½ to 28.
Open with: Class 10 + ITI trade certificate
Deck rating (GP Rating)
- Deck rating (R-NW) via the pre-sea GP rating course · age limit 28
Requires: 10th with English, Mathematics and Science, at least 40% aggregate.
Fees: ₹2.2 lakh – ₹4.86 lakh — GP Rating (General Purpose Rating) course fees
Engine rating (GP Rating)
- Engine rating (REW) via the pre-sea rating course · age limit 28
Requires: 10th with English, Mathematics and Science, at least 40% aggregate.
Fees: ₹2.2 lakh – ₹4.86 lakh — GP Rating (General Purpose Rating) course fees
Possible, with a further condition
- Electro-Technical Rating (ETR)
Eligibility depends on details we cannot verify here: One of three streams: sea service with training; approved pre-sea or special training plus a short sea period; or technical qualifications meeting Table A-III/7. - Becoming a seafarer: the Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) — rules from 1 August 2026
Class 10 is only the base: the CDC also needs one of the DGS Order 12 of 2026 categories (approved pre-sea training, an Agniveer discharge certificate, a hospitality qualification with OCCP, a cook CoC, or another CoC). - Hotel and service staff on passenger (cruise) ships
Eligibility depends on details we cannot verify here: Via a DG-approved cruise recruitment company (CDC restricted to cruise and passenger ships).
Routes and requirements from the DGMA (formerly DG Shipping) training rules, as used by the Marine One Route Finder. Every route also needs a pre-sea medical by a DGMA-approved examiner.