Can Arts Students Join the GP Rating After 12th?
For many Arts students, choosing a career after Class 12 can feel confusing, especially if they are interested in the Merchant Navy but have heard that only Science students can enter the industry. That assumption is not completely correct.
Arts students can be eligible for GP Rating after Class 12, but eligibility depends on more than simply passing Class 12 Arts. The candidate must satisfy the applicable educational, age, and medical requirements.
The key thing to understand is the difference between GP Rating eligibility and officer-course eligibility. Courses such as DNS and B.Sc. Nautical Science have specific academic requirements, while GP Rating has a different entry pathway.
What Is GP Rating?
GP Rating means General Purpose Rating. It is a pre-sea maritime training programme for candidates who want to begin a career in the Merchant Navy as a rating.
The training prepares candidates for practical shipboard responsibilities in areas such as:
- Deck operations
- Engine-room assistance
- Seamanship
- Cargo handling
- Ship maintenance
- Safety procedures
- Basic engineering work
The current DGMA career guidance describes GP Rating as an entry-level pathway available to candidates who have completed Class 10 or Class 12, followed by pre-sea training and the required sea service.
Can an Arts Student Join GP Rating?
Yes, an Arts student can potentially join GP Rating after Class 12. The important word is “potentially” because your Class 12 stream alone does not determine eligibility.
The detailed DGS GP Rating guideline specifically provides an entry route for candidates who have passed Class 12 in any stream, but it also requires English, Mathematics, and Science at Class 10 for that route. Therefore, an Arts student should first look at their Class 10 marksheet.
Table of Contents
GP Rating Eligibility for Arts Students
The eligibility requirements can be divided into four main areas.
1. Educational Qualification
The relevant DGS guideline allows:
- Class 10 candidates meeting the specified subject and marks requirements
- Class 12 candidates from any stream meeting the specified requirements
- Certain approved ITI routes
For the Class 12 route, the guideline specifies 40% aggregate and 40% English, with English, Mathematics, and Science at Class 10.
2. English Marks
English is an important part of GP Rating eligibility. The detailed DGS guideline specifies the required English marks at Class 10 or Class 12. This matters because communication is an essential part of working onboard a vessel.
3. GP Rating Age Limit
The applicable age limit must be checked before admission. The detailed guideline specifies 17½ years as the minimum and 28 years as the maximum at course commencement, with applicable relaxations.
GP Rating Medical Requirement
To enroll in the GP Rating Course, you need to be physically and mentally stable, as you need to work on ships. The following are the medical requirements that you need to fulfill.
GP Rating Eyesight Requirement
- Candidates should have 6/6 unaided vision in both eyes.
- Eyesight is checked during the DG Shipping medical examination.
- Poor vision may lead to rejection during the medical test.
GP Rating: Colour Blindness
- Candidates must not be colour blind.
- Normal colour vision is mandatory for identifying navigation lights and safety signals onboard.
- Colour blindness is one of the most common reasons for medical rejection.
GP Rating BMI Requirement
- The recommended Body Mass Index (BMI) should generally be between 18.5 and 25.
- Candidates should maintain a healthy body weight according to their height.
- Extremely low or high BMI may affect medical fitness.
GP Rating Height Requirement
- The minimum height is generally 157 cm for boys and 152 cm for girls.
- Some colleges or shipping companies may prescribe slightly different standards.
- Height requirements should always be verified before applying.
GP Rating Hearing Requirement
- Candidates must have normal hearing in both ears.
- Hearing impairment can affect communication and onboard safety.
- A hearing test is conducted during the medical examination.
GP Rating Physical Fitness
- Candidates should be physically fit for sea service.
- There should be no medical condition that prevents working onboard ships.
- Overall health and stamina are assessed during the medical examination.
GP Rating Tattoo Policy
- Small tattoos are generally accepted if they are not on the face, neck, or hands.
- Offensive or inappropriate tattoos are not permitted.
- Acceptance of tattoos may vary depending on the shipping company.
Can I Wear Spectacles in GP Rating?
- Candidates requiring spectacles or contact lenses are generally not eligible, as 6/6 unaided vision is required.
- Vision standards may vary slightly for some institutes, but DG Shipping medical requirements must always be met.
- Candidates should undergo a medical examination before applying if they are unsure about their eyesight.
GP Rating Eligibility Calculator
Honestly, all these criteria seem a bit confusing and overwhelming. To make it easier, we have designed a GP Rating Course Eligibility Calculator, which will tell you which colleges you should aim for and also tell you how to prepare for the GP Rating online test for these colleges. Check you eligibility here: Eligibility Calculator
Join GP Rating With SMVD Marine Academy
To give a kick-start to your career and solidify your preparation for GP Rating, you need guidance. Here at SMVD Marine Academy, we identify the weak points of each candidate and work on them, be it English Speaking, aptitude, general knowledge, or confidence building. We aim to guide students who are really motivated to join the GP Rating. If you are serious about joining the Merchant Navy, then connect with us through SMVD Marine Academy or apply now.
To learn about which GP Rating Colleges you are eligible for, download our free Merchant Navy Decoded App that will guide you from your eligibility to the point of your selection in the Merchant Navy. Don’t just read; start preparing to make your dreams a reality.
How Is GP Rating Different From Officer Courses?
This distinction is particularly important for Arts students. Officer-entry programmes have more restrictive academic requirements. For example, the current DGMA career guidance lists 12th PCM with 60% aggregate and 50% English for B.Sc. Nautical Science, while the GP Rating route has a lower and different academic entry requirement.
So if you did not study PCM, an officer-entry course may not be available through the same route.
GP Rating is different because it provides an entry-level rating pathway. That does not mean it is an “easy Merchant Navy course.” It simply means the academic entry requirements are different.
What Is the GP Rating Training Like?
The course is designed around practical shipboard skills rather than only classroom learning.
Students are introduced to:
- Seamanship
Basic deck work, rope handling, knots and other practical skills.
- Ship Maintenance
Cleaning, upkeep, maintenance activities, and assisting senior crew.
- Cargo Operations
Basic knowledge of cargo handling and safe working practices.
- Safety
Emergency response, safety procedures, and precautions required onboard.
- Engine Support
Basic engineering knowledge and practical assistance in the Engine Department.
The aim is to prepare trainees for the realities of working on a vessel rather than simply completing an academic qualification.
What Happens After the Course?
Completing the pre-sea course does not mean you automatically become a senior seafarer. The next stage involves the applicable shipboard training or sea service and certification requirements.
With experience and further qualifications, a GP Rating candidate can progress through rating positions.
Possible career roles include:
- Ordinary Seaman
- Able-Bodied Seaman
- Deck Fitter
- Bosun
The actual progression depends on sea service, certification, company requirements, and the applicable regulatory framework.
Is GP Rating a Good Career for an Arts Student?
That depends on the student’s interests.
GP Rating can make sense if you:
- Want to work onboard ships
- Prefer practical work to a purely academic career
- Are comfortable living away from home
- Can work as part of a disciplined team
- Are physically and medically fit for sea service
- Are willing to build your career gradually through sea experience
It may not be the right choice if you are attracted only by the idea of travelling or earning money but have not considered the realities of shipboard life.
How to Apply for GP Rating?
The admission process varies between institutes and company-linked programmes, but candidates commonly need to go through several stages.
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Check your Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets, age, and medical requirements.
Step 2: Choose an Approved Institute
Always verify the institute’s current DGS approval status before paying fees.
Step 3: Apply
Complete the application according to the institute’s admission schedule.
Step 4: Entrance Test or Selection
Some institutes and companies conduct online tests, interviews or other selection stages.
Step 5: Medical Examination
Complete the required medical assessment.
Step 6: Admission and Training
After clearing the applicable selection requirements, complete admission formalities and begin the pre-sea course.
What Should Arts Students Check Before Paying Fees?
Do not choose a GP Rating college simply because someone promises a job.
Before paying the course fee, check:
- Course duration
- Actual training facilities
- Hostel arrangements
- Medical requirements
- Admission conditions
- Placement or shipboard-training record
- Company tie-ups, if claimed
- Refund and fee policies
- Written terms of sponsorship, if applicable
A short course does not mean the college-selection decision is unimportant.
GP Rating FAQ
Yes. The DGS guideline provides a Class 12 any-stream route, subject to the prescribed eligibility requirements.
No. Class 12 can be from any stream under the relevant route. However, the required Class 10 subjects, including Mathematics and Science, must be checked.
GP Rating is primarily a rating entry pathway. Progression to officer certification requires additional sea service, training, examinations and applicable eligibility requirements. The route should not be confused with direct officer-entry courses.
The detailed DGS guideline specifies 17½ to 25 years at course commencement, subject to applicable relaxations. Always verify the current admission notification.
Yes. Candidates entering seafaring training must satisfy the applicable medical fitness requirements for sea service.
The pre-sea GP Rating training is six months. The complete pathway can involve additional shipboard service and certification requirements.