Merchant Navy Salary in India 2026: Deck Cadet to Captain & Marine Engineer

Introduction

If you are planning a career at sea, Merchant Navy Salary is one of the first things you will want to understand. Unlike a regular government job, there is no single fixed pay scale for Merchant Navy officers. Salary depends on the rank, shipping company, vessel type, flag state, experience, contract and additional allowances.

In 2026, the official Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) career information gives indicative salary ranges for the deck-officer route, starting from Deck Cadet and progressing to Master Mariner. Engineering officers follow a separate career path from Engine Cadet to Chief Engineer.

Merchant Navy Salary in India 2026

The table below gives a practical overview of the salary progression. The deck figures are based on the current DGMA career information, while engineering figures should be treated as indicative industry ranges because marine-engineering pay varies considerably between employers and vessel types.

*Engineering figures are indicative industry estimates, not a government-prescribed pay scale. Actual contracts can be substantially different depending on vessel, company and flag state.

Deck Cadet Salary in Merchant Navy

A Deck Cadet is normally at the training stage of the deck-officer career. DGMA currently lists an indicative stipend of ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 per month. Cadets complete structured shipboard training and maintain the required training records before progressing towards the officer-level Certificate of Competency.

The cadet stage is therefore different from a regular permanent officer salary. The amount can vary according to the shipping company and contract.

Merchant Navy Officer Salary: Third Officer to Chief Officer

After completing the required sea service and examinations, a cadet can progress into officer ranks.

According to DGMA’s current career roadmap:

• Third Officer: ₹1.2–₹2 lakh per month
• Second Officer: ₹2–₹3.5 lakh per month
• Chief Officer: ₹3.5–₹5.5 lakh per month

A Third Officer performs navigation watch duties and other operational responsibilities. The Second Officer takes on additional responsibilities such as passage planning, while the Chief Officer is the ship’s second-in-command and handles areas including cargo operations, stability and crew safety.

Merchant Navy Captain Salary in India

The senior-most deck position is the Master Mariner, commonly referred to as the Captain.

DGMA currently gives an indicative salary range of ₹5 lakh to ₹8 lakh or more per month for a Master. Its published information also shows a higher indicative range for Senior Masters, reaching ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh+ per month.

However, candidates should not treat these numbers as guaranteed salaries. DGMA specifically notes that salary varies according to the company, vessel type and flag state.

Marine Engineer Salary in Merchant Navy

The engineering department has its own career progression:

Engine Cadet → Fourth Engineer → Third Engineer → Second Engineer → Chief Engineer

Marine engineers are responsible for the ship’s propulsion system, engines, generators, pumps and other machinery.

Current industry estimates commonly place Fourth Engineer salaries around ₹1.5–₹3.5 lakh per month, while experienced Second Engineers may earn around ₹4–₹8 lakh. Chief Engineer compensation can reach ₹6–₹12 lakh or more per month on some contracts, particularly on specialised vessels. These figures are industry estimates rather than a uniform government salary scale.

How to Join the Merchant Navy in 2026

There are different entry routes depending on whether you want to enter the deck or engineering department.

For the deck side, DGMA lists routes including Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) and B.Sc. Nautical Science. The current DGMA information lists 60% aggregate in PCM and 50% in English for these officer-entry routes, along with medical and eyesight requirements.

For Marine Engineering, DG Shipping information includes a four-year Marine Engineering degree route for eligible 10+2 PCM candidates.

The Indian Maritime University (IMU) also offers programmes such as B.Sc. Nautical Science, B.Tech Marine Engineering and Diploma in Nautical Science. Its 2026–27 admission information includes current notices, counselling information and programme details.

Official Merchant Navy Portals

For admission or training, candidates should verify information through official sources rather than relying only on private coaching websites.

DGMA / DG Shipping: Directorate General of Maritime Administration

Indian Maritime University: Indian Maritime University

IMU Admissions 2026–27: IMU Admissions 2026–27

What Affects Merchant Navy Salary?

Several factors can change the actual amount received by a seafarer:

• Rank and Certificate of Competency
• Number of years of sea service
• Shipping company
• Type and size of vessel
• International or domestic operation
• Flag state
• Tanker, LNG, offshore or specialised vessel experience
• Contract terms and allowances
• Overtime and other contractual payments

This is why two seafarers holding the same rank may receive different salaries.

Merchant Navy Salary: Key Points

Merchant Navy Salary in India 2026 can range from a training stipend at the cadet level to several lakh rupees per month for experienced officers. DGMA currently lists ₹25,000–₹50,000 for Deck Cadets, ₹3.5–₹5.5 lakh for Chief Officers, and ₹5–₹8 lakh+ for Master Mariners.

For Marine Engineers, salary progression generally follows the rank structure from Engine Cadet to Chief Engineer, with actual pay depending heavily on the employer, vessel and contract.

Candidates should therefore compare the course, eligibility, medical requirements, sponsorship, training institute and employment contract, rather than choosing a Merchant Navy course based only on a quoted salary figure.