Indian Navy Agniveers: transition schemes into the Merchant Navy
Agniveers serving in the Indian Navy can move into Merchant Navy ratings, the Electro-Technical Rating, the near-coastal engineer certificate, the ETO certificate, the cook's certificate or the deck rating certificate, through six schemes that count their Navy sea service and add the courses for the gaps.
Official reference: DGS Order 16/2022 · DGS Order 12/2026 (Agniveer CDC category)
Where this route can take you
Who can apply
Each requirement is summarised from the official publication linked beside it.
Education: Class X or XII with 40% in English
DGS Order 16 of 2022 ↗Class X or XII passed, with at least 40% in English in either.
…and 40% aggregate
DGS Order 16 of 2022 ↗40% aggregate in English, Maths and Science in Class X, or 40% overall in Class XII.
Navy-requested INDoS and CDC
DGS Order 16 of 2022 ↗An INDoS number and CDC, requested by the Indian Navy.
Medically fit when the certificate is issued
DGS Order 16 of 2022 ↗Medically fit when the certificate is issued.
Any Agniveer: CDC category
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗An Agniveer discharge certificate plus the five basic STCW courses.
Sea service per scheme
DGMA publication ↗Step by step
- 1
The six schemes
Six schemes: engine-room ratings, Electro-Technical Rating, near-coastal MEO Class IV, ETO, cook, and deck rating.
DGS Order 16 of 2022 ↗
The rules behind this route
This page summarises the published rules of DGMA (the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, formerly DG Shipping) in plain language. Each requirement links to the official publication for the exact wording. Rules made under the old Merchant Shipping Act 1958 still apply under the Merchant Shipping Act 2025.