Merchant Navy Salary In India, Check Rank-Wise Pay

Merchant Navy Salary In India: Salary is an important criterion for candidates applying for a particular job role. The  Merchant Navy Salary Structure depends on the post and work experience. Candidates should know that the salary range is from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 per month for officials serving in the Merchant Navy. Indian Merchant Navy provides perks and allowances to the officials, added to the salary. The perks vary from post-wise and rank of the officials serving in Navy.

Merchant Navy Salary & Job Profile

There are various profiles in the Merchant Navy based on the educational qualifications of a candidate. The posts range from Cadets to Officers, and hence, the Merchant Navy salary ranges from 25,000 per month to as high as 20 lakhs per month. Check out the Merchant Navy Salary Merchant Navy based on the various profiles.

Merchant Navy Salary

Typically, the starting pay scale in the Merchant Navy ranges from INR 4.80 to 6 LPA, equivalent to INR 40,000 to 50,000 per month. As for an experienced merchant navy officer with over 10 years of relevant experience, the average monthly salary stands at INR 1.64 lakh.

Merchant Navy Salary in India

The Merchant Navy in India provides alluring salary packages, which differ depending on one's rank, experience, and the type of vessel they serve on. The competitive salary structure in the Merchant Navy makes it an exciting career choice for individuals seeking adventure, international exposure, and significant financial benefits. Let's look into the specifics of the Merchant Navy Salary in India and the opportunities it presents for those venturing into a career at sea.

Merchant Navy Job Profile

Merchant Navy Authorities conduct a recruitment drive to get qualified professionals like Desk Cadet, Chief Officers, Captains, Maritime Engineers, and Hospitality Crew hired. A detailed job description is provided post-wise in the table. It can help candidates to know the responsibilities of a particular job profile in Merchant Navy. 

Merchant Navy Courses: Entrance Exam 2025

After exploring the salary range in the merchant navy, let's now focus on the various pathways to join this esteemed profession.

Merchant Navy Entrance Exams:

Aspiring candidates are encouraged to prepare for entrance exams alongside their 12th board examinations to secure admission to reputable Merchant Navy colleges. Some of the common entrance exams for this purpose include:

• IMU CET
• JEE Advanced
• MERI Entrance Exams
• TMI SAT

Admission through Sponsorship-Based Entry in the Merchant Navy:

Candidates have the option to apply for sponsorship from well-known maritime institutes for various maritime programs.

Admission through Lateral Entry LE) into the Second Year of Marine Engineering:

For this pathway, candidates can directly seek admission into the second year of marine engineering programs that are approved by the Directorate General of Shipping. To secure LE seats, candidates must meet either of the following criteria:

• Completion of the first year of engineering with electrical or mechanical specialisation, with a minimum aggregate mark of 60%.
• Possession of a Diploma in electrical, mechanical, marine, or ship-building engineering with a minimum mark of 60%.
• These multiple avenues provide diverse opportunities for individuals aspiring to pursue a career in the Merchant Navy.

Courses Available for the Merchant Navy

Candidates aspiring to join the Merchant Navy have several course options available to them, including:

• Merchant Navy Entrance Exams: Candidates can prepare for entrance exams like IMU CET, JEE Advanced, MERI Entrance Exams, and TMI SAT to secure admission to reputed Merchant Navy colleges.
• Sponsorship-Based Entry: Candidates can apply for sponsorship from popular maritime institutes to pursue various maritime programs.
• Lateral Entry (L.E.): Candidates can directly seek admission into the second year of marine engineering programs approved by the Directorate General of Shipping. They can achieve this by meeting specific academic criteria related to engineering or possessing a relevant diploma with minimum required marks.