Merchant Navy Deck Officer — Step-by-Step Roadmap
Your journey, phase by phase
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Phase 1 · School years Class 12 PCM PCM average above 60% and English above 50%.
- IMU asks for Class 12 Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with a 60% PCM average for B.Sc Nautical Science.
- At least 50% in English in Class 10 or 12.
- Age limit, unmarried status, passport and DG Shipping medical/eyesight standards apply — check the current IMU notice.
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Phase 2 · Class 12 year IMU CET An online entrance; your rank decides institute and course.
- IMU CET is the common entrance for nautical and marine engineering programmes at IMU and most DG Shipping-approved institutes.
- DNS route: Class 12 PCM (60%), or a B.Sc in a listed science subject, or a B.E./B.Tech, as the IMU notification lists.
- Many cadets join through a shipping-company sponsorship, which helps secure the onboard cadet berth.
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Phase 3 · DNS 1 yr · B.Sc 3 yrs Pre-sea training B.Sc Nautical Science (3 years) or DNS (1 year) at a DG Shipping-approved institute.
- B.Sc Nautical Science is a 3-year degree; DNS is a 1-year diploma — both are deck-officer routes.
- Only train at institutes listed as approved on the DG Shipping website; unapproved courses do not count.
- Register for an INDoS number and get a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) to sail.
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Phase 4 · First sea time Deck Cadet and Second Mate Onboard training with a record book, then the Second Mate Certificate of Competency.
- Deck cadets train onboard with a training record book; the required sea time is set by DG Shipping and a stipend is paid.
- Post-sea courses and DG Shipping written and oral exams lead to the Second Mate CoC.
- Then you sail as Third/Second Officer; pay rises sharply once you hold a CoC.
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Phase 5 · Years at sea Chief Mate and Master More sea time and exams lead to Chief Officer and Master.
- Chief Mate and Master certificates each need their own sea time, post-sea courses and DG Shipping exams.
- Growth path: Deck Cadet → 3rd Officer → 2nd Officer → Chief Officer → Master — it takes many years.
- Ashore later: port operations, marine surveying, ship management, maritime training and DG Shipping roles.
Verify on the official source
Exam dates, fees, paper patterns and eligibility rules are revised by the regulator from time to time. Treat this roadmap as your map, and confirm the current rules on the official site before you register or pay any fee.