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Indian Navy Vs Merchant Navy: Know Differences between Merchant Navy and Indian Navy

Merchant Navy and Indian Navy provide reputable career opportunities in the maritime industry. Opting for a career in Merchant Navy or Indian Navy depends on the interests of the person concerned. The Merchant Navy focuses on commercial shipping activities without the interference of the Government whereas the Indian Navy is the maritime arm of the Armed Forces of the Union of India.

There are differences between the Merchant Navy and the Indian Navy in terms of organisational structure, job profiles, pay scale, shipping activities, eligibility criteria, and prospects to grow. Check Indian Navy Recruitment News here.

Indian Navy Vs Merchant Navy: Highlights

Here are the key facts related to the differences between Merchant Navy and Indian Navy

Particulars Merchant Navy Indian Navy
Kind of ships Ships are owned by the Government of India, primarily to maintain the safety and security of India through territorial waters Ships can be owned either by the Government or private shipping companies and firms
Operations in terms of territory The ships can operate beyond the territorial waters of India The ships should operate within the territorial waters of India unless required.
Rules and regulations for pay The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) frame and execute the rules and regulations relating to pay. The Government of India frames and enforces the rules and regulations

Here are a list of Indian Navy Posts:

Indian Navy Vs Merchant Navy: Job Profile

Here are the differences between the Indian Navy and Merchant Navy in job profile:

Indian Navy Merchant Navy
The Indian Navy is the maritime arm of the Armed Forces of the Union of India The ships and vessels of the Indian Navy are primarily used for the security of India by safeguarding its sea borders. Merchant Navy focuses on the commercial activities of marine services. Such activities primarily include the carriage of goods and passengers by sea from one location to another at the global level.
The Indian Navy is controlled by the Government of India. Unlike the Merchant Navy which is engaged in commercial activities, the Indian Navy is entrusted with carrying out national duties. The rules and regulations framed and executed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) govern the modus operandi of the Merchant Navy. There are no restrictions for the Merchant Navy to operate in a single nation. The ships are owned either by the Government or private firms

Indian Navy Vs Merchant Navy: Salary Structure

Here is the salary difference between Indian Navy and Merchant Navy:

Merchant Navy Salary

  • The pay scale in the Merchant Navy ranges from INR 0.3 lakhs to INR 20.8 lakhs per annum.
  • The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) frame and execute the rules and regulations relating to pay in the Merchant Navy

Indian Navy Salary

In the Indian Navy, the Government of India frames and enforces the rules and regulations. The table below describes the details of the pay scale in the Indian Navy:

Rank Pay (INR)
Seaman (2nd Class) 5200 - 20,200
Seaman (1st Class) 5200 - 20,200
Leading Seaman 5200 - 20,200
Petty Officer 9,300 - 34,800
Chief Petty Officer 9,300 - 34,800
Master Chief Petty Officer (2nd Class) 9,300 - 34,800
Master Chief Petty Officer (1st Class) 9,300 - 34,800
Sub Lieutenant 56,100 - 1,77,500
Lieutenant 61,300 - 1,93,900
Lieutenant Commander 69,400 - 2,07,200
Commander 1,21,200 - 2,12,400
Captain 1,30,600 - 2,15,900
Commodore 1,39,600 - 2,17,600
Rear Admiral 1,44,200 - 2,18,200
Vice Admiral 1,82,200 - 2,25,000
Admiral [Held by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) or the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)] 2,50,000

Merchant Navy and Indian Navy: Benefits

  • The benefits of the Merchant Navy are decided by the ILO and ITF.
  • In the Indian Navy, the benefits include family accommodation, buying products at lower rates in Canteen Stores Depot (CSD) outlets, Travel Allowance, Dearness Allowance and availing medical treatment at military hospitals for free. These kinds of benefits are provided to the personnel of the Indian Navy based on their ranks. After retirement, the personnel of the Indian Navy are also entitled to a monthly pension based on the rank held during retirement.

Get the latest Indian Navy Tradesman News here.

Merchant Navy and Indian Navy: Training and Degree

  • The training period for a cadet in the Merchant Navy is 18 months.
  • After 10 + 2, those who wish to become officers in the Indian Navy are selected for training at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra where they are awarded B.Tech degrees. The cadets complete the fourth year of their B.Tech degree from the Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala.
  • After graduation, those who wish to become officers in the Indian Navy are selected for training at the Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala.

Merchant Navy Vs Indian Navy: Eligibility Criteria with Age Limit

Merchant Navy Indian Navy
  • The minimum eligibility criteria is 10 + 2 with 50%.
  • The main subjects in 10 + 2 should include Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
  • To apply for higher ranks, candidates require a Bachelor’s degree in streams such as Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering, Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Naval Engineering, and Marine Engineering depending on the job profiles.
  • 17 to 25 years is the age range to join the Merchant Navy.
  • For joining the Indian Navy, 10 + 2 with Physics and Mathematics is the basic eligibility criteria for most entities.
  • Some of the entries may waive off the restrictions in terms of subjects opted at the 10 + 2 level.
  • However, graduation in the relevant stream is required for some branches of the Indian Navy.

Check Indian Navy SSR AA Syllabus here.

Indian Navy Vs Merchant Navy: Rank Structure

Here is the rank structure differences between Indian Navy and Merchant Navy:

Indian Navy Vs Merchant Navy: Indian Navy Rankings

The Ranking Structure of the Merchant Navy is described as follows:

Department Rank
Deck Department
  • Deck Cadet
  • Third Officer
  • Second Officer
  • First Officer
Deck Department (Rating)
  • Trainee Ordinary Seaman
  • Ordinary Seaman
  • Able Seaman
  • Welder/Fitter
  • Bosun
Engine Department
  • Engine Cadet
  • Fourth Engineer/Third Assistant Engineer
  • Third Engineer/Second Assistant Engineer
  • Second Engineer/First Assistant Engineer
  • Chief Engineer
Engine Room (Rating)
  • Trainee Fitter/Trainee Wiper
  • Wiper
  • Motorman
  • Fitter
Saloon/Catering Department
  • Steward
  • Trainee Cook
  • Chief Cook

Merchant Navy vs Indian Navy: Ranking Structure of the Indian Navy

  • The Ranking Structure of the Indian Navy is described as follows:
Category Rank
Commissioned Officers
  • Sub Lieutenant
  • Lieutenant
  • Lieutenant Commander
  • Commander
  • Captain
  • Commodore
  • Rear Admiral
  • Vice Admiral
  • Admiral
  • Admiral of the Fleet
Junior Commissioned Officers
  • Chief Petty Officer
  • Master Chief Petty Officer (2nd Class)
  • Master Chief Petty Officer (1st Class)
Non-Commissioned Officers
  • Seaman (2nd Class)
  • Seaman (1st Class)
  • Leading Seaman
  • Petty Officer

Learn about Indian Navy SSR AA Cutoff here.

Indian Navy Vs Merchant Navy: Career growth

  • Sea time durations and competitive exams are the factors determining promotions in the Merchant Navy as far as career growth is concerned
  • In the Indian Navy, promotions regarding career growth are granted either based on time scale or through selection. Competitive exams are also held for some kinds of promotions

Check Indian Navy SSR News here.

Indian Navy Vs Merchant Navy: Work Schedule

  • The average work schedule in the Merchant Navy is eight to nine hours per day
  • In the Indian Navy, the work schedule is on average is eight to twelve hours per day, depending on the nature of work and the operations of the respective Naval Command.

Check details of Indian Navy SSR Salary here.

Conclusion

It can be concluded by stating that the difference between the Merchant Navy and the Indian Navy is justified and appropriate. The job profiles of both the Merchant Navy and the Indian Navy have been discussed and demonstrated.

The salary structures and benefits have also been described and explained in detail. The ranking structure, work schedule, and career prospects have also been taken into consideration. To sum up, the Merchant Navy and the Indian Navy are properly distinguished.

Indian Navy Vs Merchant Navy: FAQs

Ques. What is the major difference between the Merchant Navy and the Indian Navy?

Ans: The Merchant Navy mainly comprises ships for commercial activities such as the carriage of goods and passengers by sea. On the other hand, the Indian Navy consists of ships and submarines primarily deployed to protect the territorial waters of India.

Ques. What is the age limit to join the Merchant Navy?

Ans: The minimum age to join the Merchant Navy is 17 years. The maximum age to join the Merchant Navy is 25 years.

Ques. What is the age limit to join the Indian Navy?

Ans: The minimum age to join the Indian Navy is 16 years. The maximum age to join the Merchant Navy is 20 years. However, the age limits differ amongst entries of the Indian Navy.

Ques. What is the rank of the Chief of Naval Staff?

Ans: The Chief of the Naval Staff holds the rank of Admiral. The rank can also be held by the Chief of Defence Staff, when the Chief of the Army Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff, holding the ranks of General and Air Chief Marshal respectively, are outranked.

Ques. Does the Merchant Navy engage in combat operations?

Ans: No. Unlike the Indian Navy, the Merchant Navy does not engage in combat operations.

Ques. What is the highest rank an officer can hold in the Indian Navy?

Ans: Admiral of the Fleet is the highest rank an officer can hold in the Indian N avy.To date, the rank has not been held by anyone from the Indian Navy. On the other hand, KM Cariappa and SHFJ Manekshaw have held the Indian Army equivalent rank of Field Marshal and Arjan Singh held the Indian Air Force equivalent rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

Ques. Are women eligible to join the Merchant Navy?

Ans: Yes. Women are eligible to join the Merchant Navy. They need to fulfill the eligibility criteria for the role specified accordingly, in addition to the basic eligibility criteria of obtaining 50% at the level of 10 + 2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Ques. Are women eligible to join the Indian Navy?

Ans: Yes. Women are eligible to join the Indian Navy as officers. The cadres of the Indian Navy in which women can join as officers include Education, Law, Logistics, Air Traffic Controller, Observer, Pilot, Naval Architecture, and Naval Armament Inspectorate.

Ques. Is the Merchant Navy controlled by the Government?

Ans: No. Merchant Navy is not controlled by the Government. The rules and regulations to govern the Merchant Navy are framed and enforced by the International Maritime Organisation.

Ques. Can one join the Merchant Navy from the Indian Navy?

Ans: Yes. One can join the Merchant Navy after retiring from Indian Navy. The key thing is to fulfil the eligibility criteria for the Merchant Navy.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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