Nautical Science Career Guide: Roles, Salary 2025 & Future Scope

Updated on Aug 2, 2023 04:43 IST

The Nautical Science career focuses on the practical and theoretical aspects of this field. After graduating, students can join Merchant Navy.

The career scope offers a lot of options. options are Deck Officer, Nautical Surveyor, Superintendent, Marine Engineer, etc. The average salary  is around Rs. 2.2 LPA to Rs. 43.5 LPA.

Merchant Navy Jobs

Candidates can see table below for jobs -

Job Profiles

Job Description

Navigation or Deck Officer

This role is responsible for safely navigating a ship and ensuring the safety of the crew, passengers, and cargo on board. The Navigation or Deck Officer is an integral part of the ship's crew, working closely with other officers and crew members to ensure smooth operations.

Engineering Officer

Engineering Officer in the Merchant Navy is a crucial role responsible for the smooth operation and maintenance of the ship's machinery and systems. They are highly trained professionals who ensure the safety and efficiency of the vessel's engineering department.

Electro-Technical Officer

This role requires individuals with a strong technical background and specific knowledge of electrical and electronic systems. The ETO is responsible for the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of all electrical and electronic equipment onboard a ship.

Marine Superintendent

It is a vital position that plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of maritime vessels. This position holds significant responsibility and requires a high level of expertise and knowledge in various aspects of ship management.

Marine Engineer

It is a specialized field that involves the design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of the machinery and systems used in ships and other marine vessels. A marine engineer is responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the ship's propulsion systems, power generation, electrical systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and other mechanical and electrical equipment on board.

Merchant Navy Salary

Candidates can see table below for salary -

Job Profiles

Annual Salary 

Navigation or Deck Officer

INR 2.2 LPA

Engineering Officer

INR 10.7 LPA

Electro-Technical Officer

INR 19.4 LPA

Marine Superintendent

INR 43.5 LPA

Marine Engineer

INR 10.7 LPA

Merchant Navy Salary: Experience Wise

Candidates can see table below for experience wise salary -

Years of Experience

Average Salary 

0 – 5 years

INR 7.50 LPA and above

6 – 10 years

INR 17 LPA and above

11 – 15 years

INR 30 LPA and above

16 – 20 years

INR 54 LPA and above

20 years & above

INR 1 Crore and above

Best Recruiters

Candidates can see table below for recruiters -

Top Recruiters

Boston Putford offshore safety Ltd.

Carisbrooke Shipping

Carnival UK

Foreland Shipping Ltd

Condor Ferries

P&O Cruises

Global Marine

Jubilee Sailing Trust

Saga Cruises

Rio Tinto Marine

Princess Cruises

-

Merchant Navy Jobs in Bangalore

Candidates can see table below -

Company

Average Starting Salary Per Month (INR)

Vision placement services

70,000

Seaspan

60,000

Msc cruises

70,000

R G Technosolutions

1.50 L

Merchant Navy Jobs in Pune

Candidates can see table below -

Company

Average Monthly Salary (INR)

Royal marine services

1.75 L

RCM- marine

3.75 L

Lilly maritime

1.80 L

BSM ship management company

1.80 L

Blue Whale

2 L

Merchant Navy Jobs in Hyderabad

Candidates can see table below -

Company

Average Monthly Salary (INR)

Shri Maritime

80,000

S S placement services

65,000

Dynacons systems and solutions

70,000

MSC ship management

70,000

Ac Mechanical services

1.20 L

Merchant Navy Jobs in Chennai

Candidates can see table below -

Company

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Maritime smart services

4.50 L

Imates Consultants

8 L

Confidential

5 L

Nidhi maritime consultancy

9.50 L

Dhanaj construction

12 L

Merchant Navy Jobs in New Delhi 

Candidates can see table below -

Company

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Fleet management

7.60 L

Anglo-eastern group

4.60 L

Ocean sparkle

9 L

Pacific international lines

17.30 L

Nyk ship management

9 L

Best Colleges for Merchant Navy

Candidates can see table below -

College Name

Total Fees (in INR)

Amity University, Noida

3 Lakh - 3.3 Lakh

Chitkara University, Chandigarh

10.5 Lakh

Tamil Nadu Fisheries University

32,000

IMU Chennai 

2.3 Lakh - 6.8 Lakh

The Neotia University

4.5 Lakh

Indian Maritime University

2.2 Lakh - 6.6 Lakh

Tolani Maritime Institute

5.3 Lakh - 5.4 Lakh

Academy of Maritime Education and Training

10.4 Lakh

IMU Kochi

4.4 Lakh - 6.8 Lakh

Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training

7.7 Lakh

Types of Merchant Navy Officers

Candidates can see table below -

Type

Average Salary

Trainee Cadet

INR 10.20 LPA

Deck Cadet

INR 14 LPA

Chief Officer

INR 72 LPA

Captain

INR 2.4 Crore PA

Engineer

INR 50 LPA

Nautical Science Career FAQs

Q. Is Merchant Navy a good career option?

Merchant Navy is a good choice if you are all about the sea and seek experience. This career gives many benefits that make it a desirable option.
The salaries are good and even tax free income if you spend a specific share of time at sea. It also offers good promotion.

Q. What is the qualification for Merchant Navy?

The requirements for eligibility that you must fulfill to get into a this program are:
Your age should range from 17 years to 25 years at the commencement of the program.
The eyesight of the candidate should be 6/6
You should not suffer from night blindness
You should not suffer from color blindness
You should be physically fit

Q. Is it risky to join the Merchant Navy?

Yes, Merchant Navy jobs are a little risky. Working in the merchant navy involves various occupational hazards that seafarers must be prepared to face such as Accidents and Injuries, Health Risks (physical strain, isolation, mental health issues, and exposure to hazardous substances)
An ongoing concern in the merchant navy is the threat of piracy and maritime security. Seafarers working in the merchant navy must adapt to unpredictable working conditions. 
The merchant navy operates under strict international regulations and legal frameworks. 

Q. Does height matter in the Navy?

Yes, height does matter to join the Merchant Navy. The Merchant Navy is popular for its strict physical prerequisites which often raise questions about the role of height in this branch of the military. 

Q. What is the job of a Merchant Navy?

Following are the job responsibilities-

Working on cargo ships, tankers, container ships, passenger liners, ferries, etc

Ensure the safe transport of cargo.

Navigate the ship

Maintaining the ship machine and tools. 

Look after the loading & unloading of goods

Ensure good storage

Q. Can I join the Merchant Navy without an exam?

Joining this career with no entrance is not possible. You must pass the needed entrances to meet the necessary criteria to be a part of the merchant navy. These exams are made to assure that you develop the required skills and knowledge to work in the Merchant Navy, which involves various duties and challenges. These entrances include  IMUCET, WBJEE, GATE, JEE Main, TNEA, and CUET.
This career is highly rewarding once you get a hold of it. It is a reputable career.

Q. What are the exams for Merchant Navy?

A. The popular exams for joining Merchant Navy after completing Class 12 are given as follows.

Entrance Exams

Details

IMUCET

IMUCET, also known as the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test, is conducted by the Indian Maritime University (IMU) for various UG and PG programs in the field of maritime education and training.

WBJEE

WBJEE, which stands for West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination, is specifically held in the state of West Bengal to select eligible candidates for undergraduate courses

GATE

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a prominent examination to pursue higher education in various Engineering and Science disciplines

JEE Main

Joint Entrance Examination (Main) is a highly competitive Engineering entrance exam conducted to pursue UG programs in Engineering and Architecture at prestigious institutions across the country

TNEA

Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions is an exam conducted for admission to undergraduate engineering courses in colleges and universities across Tamil Nadu

Q. Is Merchant Navy a permanent job?

The Merchant Navy is not exactly a permanent job. Employment is typically based on contracts. Seafarers are hired for a specific duration, depending on the nature of the job. Contracts are renewable.

To ensure smooth operations and well-being of seafarers, the Merchant Navy often follows a rotation system. This means that seafarers work for a certain period, known as a tour of duty,and then get a designated period of leave. This rotation system allows for a balance between work and personal life.

Q. What is the highest post in Merchant Navy?

A. The highest post in the Merchant Navy is that of a Captain. A Captain is responsible for commanding and operating a merchant vessel. They have the ultimate authority and are in charge of ensuring the safety, efficiency, and profitability of the ship and its crew. The average salary of a Captain in India is abpit INR 47.8 LPA.

The role of a Captain in the Merchant Navy is significant and demanding. They are responsible for planning and executing the ship's routes, making decisions regarding cargo handling, and overseeing the maintenance and repair of the vessel. Captains also have the authority to enforce discipline and ensure compliance with maritime regulations.

Q. Does Merchant Navy have scope in future?

A. The Merchant Navy, also known as the commercial shipping industry, plays a vital role in the global transportation of goods. With the increasing demand for international trade, the scope for the Merchant Navy in the future looks promising.

The Merchant Navy is responsible for transporting various types of cargo, including raw materials, consumer goods, and energy resources. As the world's population continues to grow, so does the need for goods and resources. 

Table of contents
  • Popular Nautical Science Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Nautical Science Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Nautical Science UG Courses
  • Popular Nautical Science PG Courses

Popular Nautical Science Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Nautical Science Colleges in India. Learn more about these Nautical Science colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
3 L - 3.28 L

#38 NIRF

Nautical Science Applications open. Apply Now

1 Course
30 K

#29 NIRF

6 LPA
10.5 L
4.8

#78 NIRF

10 L - 22.24 L

#149 NIRF

3 Courses
5.1 L - 12.6 L
3.6 LPA

Popular Private Nautical Science Colleges in India

3 L - 3.28 L

#38 NIRF

Nautical Science Applications open. Apply Now

3 Courses
6.07 L - 6.66 L
4.9
1 Course
3.57 L
2.55 LPA
1 Course
30 K

#29 NIRF

6 LPA
10.5 L
4.8

#78 NIRF

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Nautical Science. Students interested in pursuing a career on Nautical Science, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Mar '26

CUET 2026 Application Process

TENTATIVE

May '26 - Jun '26

CUET 2026 Exam

TENTATIVE

Dec '25

CUET PG Exam Notification

TENTATIVE

Jan '26 - Feb '26

CUET PG 2026 Application Process

TENTATIVE

Nov '25

UPCATET 2025 Physical Counselling Registration UG...

TENTATIVE

Nov '25

UPCATET Campus Counselling 2025 for PhD

TENTATIVE

Mar '26 - Apr '26

IISER Aptitude Test 2026 Registration Window

TENTATIVE

Apr '26

IISER Aptitude Test 2026 Correction Window

TENTATIVE

Popular Nautical Science UG Courses

Following are the most popular Nautical Science UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Nautical Science PG Courses

Following are the most popular Nautical Science PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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