How to Join GP Rating in Merchant Navy

If you are interested in joining the Merchant Navy but do not wish to spend three or four years in college, GP Rating can be one of the fastest ways to begin your career at sea. The course is ideal for students who have passed Class 10th, Class 12th, or ITI in specific disciplines and wish to serve onboard merchant ships.

However, it is pertinent to understand that joining GP Rating is not as simple as paying the course fees and registering yourself in a college. There are a series of steps that one must complete before one can begin the training. One must first ensure that he/she meets the eligibility criteria and clears the admission test. One must also pass the medical test and pick a training institute that has been approved by the DG Shipping. This article aims to discuss the entire procedure in detail.

What Is GP Rating?

GP Rating – General Purpose Rating. Is a pre-sea training course that prepares a candidate for working on board a merchant ship.

It includes topics such as:

  • Seamanship
  • Maintenance
  • Cargo handling
  • Safety procedures
  • Basic marine engineering knowledge
  • Safe working practices at sea.

A GP Rating candidate who has completed the course can work in either the Deck Department or the Engine Department of a merchant ship. The course usually takes 6 months, enabling students to get to start working in the maritime industry much earlier compared to a traditional three- or four-year degree course.

Who Can Join GP Rating?

How to Join GP Rating

One of the main advantages of GP Rating is that you do not necessarily need to have PCM in Class 12th. Depending on your educational background and the institute’s admission rules, you may be eligible after:

  • Class 10th
  • Class 12th
  • A qualifying 2-year ITI course

For Class 10th candidates, Science, English, and Mathematics are important subjects. Students from Commerce or Arts in Class 12th may also be eligible through the applicable GP Rating route, provided they satisfy the required Class 10th/12th subject and marks criteria.

ITI candidates are advised to make sure that their trade is accepted for GP Rating admission.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Eligibility calculator

Before filling out any application form, check whether you meet the basic eligibility requirements. 

For the common class 10th route, you should fulfill the following:

  • Aggregate of 40% marks in class 10th
  • 40% Marks in English
  • Science and Math as a subject combination
  • Class 10th from a recognized board

To check your eligibility for GP Rating in the Merchant Navy, check out our GP Rating Eligibility Calculator. 

Step 2: Check Your Age and Medical Fitness

Education is one part of the eligibility criteria. You also need to meet the age and medical requirements that apply to the course and the institute. The DG Shipping mentions the age range starting around 17.5 years, with the upper limit being 28 years. Since age rules and institute-specific conditions can change, candidates should check the requirements before applying. 

Medical fitness is particularly important for a Merchant Navy career because you will be working and living at sea.

The medical examination generally checks:

  • Eyesight
  • Colour vision
  • Hearing
  • Physical fitness
  • General health
  • Other medical parameters required for sea service

The candidates should have 6/6 unaided vision and should not have colour blindness. The examination must be conducted according to the applicable DG Shipping medical requirements.

Step 3: Shortlist the Right GP Rating College

Once you know that you are eligible, the next decision is where to apply. This is one of the most important parts of the entire process. Do not select a college only because its fees are low or because someone promises you a job after the course. Check:

  • Whether the institute has the required DG Shipping approval
  • Course duration
  • Training facilities
  • Hostel and campus facilities
  • Practical training
  • Onboard training opportunities
  • Admission procedure
  • Shipping-company connections
  • Placement or onboard training record
  • Total fees and what is included

You may come across institutes offering GP Rating in different parts of India. Always verify the institute’s current approval and admission conditions before paying any money.

Step 4: Fill Out the Application Form

After shortlisting suitable colleges, apply through their official admission process. Keep your basic documents ready because you may need them while completing the application.

Commonly required documents can include:

  • Class 10th marksheet and certificate
  • Class 12th marksheet, if applicable
  • ITI certificate and marksheets, if applicable
  • Birth certificate
  • Passport
  • Aadhaar or other identity proof
  • Passport-size photographs
  • Medical fitness certificate
  • Other documents requested by the institute

Always use the official college admission channel. Avoid giving money to agents who claim that they can guarantee admission or a job.

Step 5: Prepare for the GP Rating Entrance Test

Many GP Rating institutes conduct an entrance test before selecting candidates. The test generally checks basic knowledge rather than advanced college-level subjects.

Questions can come from areas such as:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • General Knowledge
  • Reasoning
  • Aptitude

You should therefore concentrate on reinforcing your fundamental skills.

  • For Mathematics, topics include percentages, averages, ratios, number systems, elementary algebra, profit and loss, time and work, speed, distance and time, and other basic arithmetic topics.
  • For English, attention should be paid to grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, comprehension, and basic writing skills.
  • For GK, knowledge of the seas, ports, oceans, countries, states and their capitals, as well as that relating to sports and other general knowledge topics, can be of use.

If you are serious about GP Rating, you should not leave any stone unturned in your preparation. To get the best guidance, connect with SMVD Marine Academy.  

Step 6: Clear the Interview

When you have completed the written or online test, you move on to the interview stage; the interview is not merely to test your academic knowledge, but also whether you understand what a career in the Merchant Navy really involves. 

You should be prepared for questions such as:

  • Why do you want to join the Merchant Navy?
  • Why did you choose GP Rating?
  • What do you know about the course?
  • What are the duties of a GP Rating?
  • Are you comfortable staying away from home for long periods?
  • What is the difference between the Deck and Engine departments?
  • Why should we select you?

Speak clearly and answer honestly. You do not need to use complicated English. The important thing is to show that you understand the career you are choosing.

Step 7: Complete the Medical and Other Tests

After the entrance test and interview, selected candidates may be asked to take further tests, depending on the institute or company. These can include a psychometric test and the final medical check.

Do not treat the medical stage as a formality. Candidates must be medically fit for sea service before commencing a Merchant Navy career. After clearing the mandatory tests, you can go ahead with the documentation and admission formalities.

Step 8: Take Admission and Start the 6-Month Training

Once the selection is done, the last step is to complete the admission process and join the training institute. GP Rating course is usually 6 months of pre-sea training where you receive the practical and basic technical skills you need onboard a ship during the course.

Training can include:

  • Seamanship
  • Deck work
  • Engine-room basics
  • Cargo handling
  • Ship maintenance
  • Safety procedures
  • Fire prevention and firefighting
  • Personal survival techniques
  • Basic onboard operations

The purpose of this training is to prepare you for the working environment you will face onboard.

Step 9: Complete the Required Onboard Training and Join a Ship

Completing the six-month course does not make you an immediate senior seafarer. The next step is to get the required onboard opportunity and start your sea career as a trainee/rating depending on the applicable route and company. 

This is the reason why the institute’s onboard training and company connections matter while choosing a college.

Some institutes have formal arrangements with shipping companies. Some institutes have different processes for placement or onboard training.

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 which GP Rating Colleges you are eligible for, download our free Merchant Navy Decoded App, which will guide you from your eligibility to your selection in the Merchant Navy. Don’t just read; start preparing to make your dreams a reality.

How Long Does It Take to Join the Merchant Navy Through GP Rating?

The pre-sea GP Rating course itself is generally 6 months. However, your complete journey can take longer because you also need to go through:

  1. Eligibility check
  2. College/company application
  3. Entrance examination
  4. Interview
  5. Medical examination
  6. Final selection and documentation
  7. Six-month pre-sea training
  8. Required onboard training/sea service

So, do not think of GP Rating as simply a six-month course followed immediately by a permanent job. The training is the first major step in building your career at sea.

How Much Does the GP Rating Course Cost?

The three source blogs put GP Rating course fees in India broadly around ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh, depending on the institute, facilities, hostel, training, and other factors. The exact fee can change, so candidates should check the latest fee structure directly with the institute before making a payment. More importantly, compare the complete value of the course, not just the advertised fee.

A cheaper college is not necessarily the better option if it does not provide proper training or a clear route to onboard experience.

What Can You Do After GP Rating?

What Can You Do After GP Rating

After completing GP Rating training and gaining the required experience, you can work in either the Deck or Engine Department.

Your duties can include:

  • Ship maintenance
  • Cleaning and painting
  • Cargo-related work
  • Watchkeeping
  • Assisting senior crew
  • Machinery-related assistance in the Engine Department
  • General safety and operational duties

With experience, additional training and the required examinations, you can progress to higher ratings and take on greater responsibilities. GP Rating can therefore be a starting point rather than the end of your Merchant Navy career.

GP Rating FAQ

Yes. Candidates who meet the required educational, age, and medical criteria can join GP Rating after Class 10th. Science and Mathematics in Class 10th are important for the commonly accepted 10th-pass route.

Yes, the source material indicates that Commerce and Arts students can be eligible for GP Rating after Class 12th if they satisfy the applicable Class 10th/12th marks and subject requirements.

Yes. Candidates with qualifying 2-year ITI training can apply, subject to the accepted trade, marks, and other requirements of the institute.

Many GP Rating institutes conduct an entrance test covering areas such as English, Mathematics, General Knowledge, Reasoning, and Aptitude. The exact selection process depends on the institute or company.

The pre-sea GP Rating course is generally 6 months.

Yes. Candidates need to meet the applicable medical fitness requirements for sea service and undergo examination by a DG Shipping-approved medical practitioner as required.