Courses open to you
GME (Graduate Marine Engineering)
You become: Marine engineer
- You need
- B.E. or B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering or Naval Architecture, with 50% in the final year.
- Age
- Up to 28
- Length
- 1 year at an institute, then sea training
- Fees
- ₹4–6.4 lakh for the whole course
SC and ST candidates get 5 more years, OBC (non-creamy layer) 3 more, and women a further 2.
ETO course
You become: Electro-technical officer
- You need
- A degree or diploma in Electrical, Electronics, Telecommunication or Instrumentation Engineering.
- Age
- Up to 35
- Length
- 4 months at an institute, then sea training
- Fees
- ₹2.3–4.5 lakh for the whole course
DNS or the graduate deck course
You become: Deck officer
- You need
- B.Sc. in Physics, Maths, Chemistry or Electronics with Physics in at least one year and 55% in the final year. Or a B.E./B.Tech in any branch with 50%. And 50% in English.
- Age
- Up to 25
- Length
- 6 months to 1 year, then sea training
- Fees
- DNS ₹2.5–7 lakh for the whole course
GP Rating, cook or cruise hotel
You become: Rating or hotel staff
- You need
- Open to B.Com, B.A. and other graduates. Class 10 marks apply.
- Age
- 17½ to 28 for GP Rating
- Length
- 6 months or less
Before you pay any fees
- Check the institute is on the DG Shipping list of approved institutes.
- Get your eyesight and colour vision checked. See eyesight rules.
- Ask which shipping companies take the institute's students for sea training.
- Never pay an agent for a job or a seat. See warning signs of a fake agent.
Common questions
Can I join after B.Tech in Computer Science?
Yes, as a deck officer, through DNS or the graduate deck course. You need 50% in the final year and in English, and must be 25 or under. The engineer courses need a mechanical or electrical degree.
I am 27. Is it too late?
Not for every course. GME takes mechanical engineers up to 28 and the ETO course takes electrical engineers up to 35. Deck officer courses stop at 25, with more years for reserved categories and women.
Sources (checked 31 October 2026)
- DG Shipping Training Circular 12 of 2020 (pre-sea courses, entry rules and age relaxations) and DGS Order 12 of 2026
- Course fees: each institute's own website or prospectus. See course fees by institute.
This page is general guidance. The institute, the company and the approved doctor make the final decisions.