• The eligibility requirements for joining merchant navy is completing intermediate with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics from any recognized board with not less than 65% aggregate marks .
• All candidates must be unmarried Indian citizens (male or female).
• Normal vision is required but glasses up to plus or minus 2.5 may be allowed.
• Admission is through an entrance followed by a screening test and a main written examination.
• After clearing the test, there is an interview and a medical test.
• You also need to complete a ship-training course prior to the employment. The course is generally short-term where the candidates are taught basic security concerns of voyaging.

There are some private institutes, which offer training for merchant navy as well. These institutes prepare students for jobs such as deck cadets and marine engineering jobs.

The entrance exam for Merchant navy is conducted by the Indian Maritime University and the exam is called CET - common entrance test which is a test one can take to join any shipping related stream - deck, engine, Naval architecture.

After class 12, you are eligible to study the following merchant navy courses:

• B.Sc. Nautical Science
• B.E. Marine Engineering
• B.E. Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering
• B.E. Petroleum Engineering
• B.E. Mechanical Engineering
• B.E. Harbour & Ocean Engineering
• B.E. Civil Engineering
• B.E. Electrical & Electronics Engineering
• B.Sc. Marine Catering
• Electro Technical Officer Course

Merchant navy courses that you can pursue after 10th include:

• Near Coastal Voyage (NCV)
• Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
• Commercial Diving
• G.P. Rating

Merchant navy job profiles

• Deck officer (navigation officer)
• Electro-technical officer (ETO)
• Engineer
• Ratings - ratings are skilled seafarers who help all the officers with daily tasks
• Catering & hospitality crew (pursers, stewards, chef, housekeeper etc.)

Hope this helps.

Good luck.