Can Girls Join Merchant Navy? Courses, Scope & Salary 2027

Yes, Girls Join Merchant Navy today. In fact, women can pursue several maritime education and seafaring pathways, including officer and rating programs. However, they must meet the applicable educational and medical requirements for Girls Join Merchant Navy.

Moreover, the maritime industry has historically had fewer women at sea. Nevertheless, participation is increasing because official organizations actively support Girls Join Merchant Navy.

Girls Join Merchant Navy After 12th: Best Officer Courses

Yes, Girls Join Merchant Navy after 12th through officer-oriented courses. For example, popular pathways include:

Popular pathways include:

B.Sc. Nautical Science
Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
B.Tech Marine Engineering

Therefore, IMU’s published information includes eligibility criteria for Girls Join Merchant Navy. Consequently, you should always check the current year’s prospectus for marks and age conditions.

Girls Join Merchant Navy After 10th: GP Rating Scope

Yes, Girls Join Merchant Navy even after 10th. For example, eligible female candidates can enter GP Rating. Moreover, DG Shipping’s GP Rating eligibility includes 10th with specified marks in Science and English. Therefore, Girls Join Merchant Navy after 10th via rating programs.

Medical Requirements for Girls

Female candidates must meet the same seafarer medical standards as male candidates for Girls Join Merchant Navy. For instance, the medical examination covers physical fitness, eyesight, colour vision and hearing. Moreover, a DGS-approved Medical Examiner must issue the certificate. Therefore, complete your medical assessment before paying training fees for Girls Join Merchant Navy.

Merchant Navy Courses for Girls

B.Sc. Nautical Science

This is an officer-oriented program focused on navigation, seamanship, cargo operations and ship safety.

Diploma in Nautical Science

DNS is a one-year pre-sea program followed by structured sea training. It is a popular pathway for candidates targeting deck officer careers.

B.Tech Marine Engineering

Students interested in machinery and engineering can choose B.Tech Marine Engineering and progress towards a marine engineering career.

Rating Courses

Candidates entering after 10th may consider approved rating-level programs such as GP Rating.

Salary for Women in Merchant Navy

There is no separate “female salary” in the Merchant Navy. Salary depends mainly on rank, experience, employer, vessel type, contract and certification.

For example, current DGMA indicative deck salary information lists approximately ₹25,000–₹50,000 per month for Deck Cadets, ₹1.2–₹2 lakh for Third Officers, ₹3.5–₹5.5 lakh for Chief Officers and ₹5–₹8 lakh+ for Masters.

These are indicative figures, not guaranteed salaries.

Career Scope for Women

Women can pursue careers as deck officers, marine engineers, ratings and other maritime professionals. There are also extensive shore-based opportunities in shipping, ports, logistics, maritime training, marine insurance, ship management and maritime administration.

DG Shipping specifically states that recruitment policies should prohibit discrimination based on gender in employment, wages and promotions.

Scholarships for Female Seafarers

An important benefit is the financial support available through the Maritime Training Trust for eligible women undergoing pre-sea courses at DGS-approved Maritime Training Institutes.

DGMA states that the scholarship has been ₹1,00,000 per woman candidate per academic year since 2019–20, subject to the applicable scheme conditions. For 2025–26, 850 women were supported under the program.

Challenges Women May Face

Although opportunities are increasing, women remain underrepresented at sea.

The IMO-WISTA 2024 survey found that women represented only around 1% of the seafarers employed by surveyed organizations.

This shows that women entering the industry may still encounter challenges involving recruitment, accommodation, work-life balance and availability of sea berths.

However, the industry is working to improve gender equality and onboard working conditions.

Is Merchant Navy Safe for Girls?

Ships operate under strict safety procedures, international regulations and company policies. Women should choose reputable training institutes and employers and understand the company’s onboard welfare and grievance procedures.

Always use authorized recruitment channels when looking for employment.

FAQs

Can girls join Merchant Navy after 12th?

Yes. Eligible female candidates can pursue courses such as B.Sc. Nautical Science, DNS and B.Tech Marine Engineering.

Is Merchant Navy salary different for girls?

There should not be a gender-based salary difference. Pay depends on rank, contract, company, vessel and experience.

Can girls become Captains?

Yes. Female seafarers can progress through the required training, sea service, examinations and Certificates of Competency.

Is there a scholarship for female seafarers?

Yes. DGMA’s Maritime Training Trust provides financial support to eligible women pursuing pre-sea courses at DGS-approved institutes.

Is Merchant Navy a good career for girls?

Yes, provided the candidate is comfortable with life at sea, meets medical requirements and chooses an approved training and employment pathway.