For many students and parents in India, the Merchant Navy represents more than just a job—it represents global exposure, financial independence, discipline, and a respected professional life. Yet, one of the most common challenges is understanding how to enter the Merchant Navy without confusion, high academic pressure, or long study periods. This is exactly where the GP Rating course plays a vital role.
The GP Rating course is often misunderstood, underestimated, or poorly explained online. Some see it as a “basic course,” while others are unsure about eligibility, fees, salary, or long-term growth. This blog is written to remove that confusion completely and present the GP Rating course from scratch to career maturity, in a simple, honest, and structured manner.
The Merchant Navy does not ask where you start. It asks how committed you are to learning at sea.
What is a GP Rating course?
The GP Rating course is a pre-sea training program designed to prepare candidates for entry-level onboard roles in the Merchant Navy. It is unique because it combines both deck and engine department training, unlike other courses that focus on only one stream.
In simple terms, a GP Rating candidate is trained to assist officers in:
- Navigational and deck operations
- Engine room maintenance and machinery handling
This dual exposure makes GP Rating one of the most practical and flexible entry routes into the maritime industry, especially for candidates who want to learn by doing rather than only studying theory.
GP Rating Full Form and Meaning
The GP Rating full form is General Purpose Rating.
“General Purpose” reflects the nature of the job—candidates are trained to perform multiple operational duties onboard ships, supporting both deck and engine departments during their initial sailing period.
Who can do a GP Rating course?
One of the strongest advantages of the GP Rating course is its inclusive eligibility structure, making it a practical choice for students who want a direct and realistic entry into the Merchant Navy. The course is open to candidates who meet the prescribed academic, age, and medical standards laid down by the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Government of India. Below are the revised and precise eligibility criteria, as applicable.
Eligibility for GP Rating course
The GP Rating course eligibility is regulated by the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Government of India, and candidates must strictly satisfy the following conditions.
Academic Qualification
For 10th Standard Pass Candidates:
- Must have secured above 40% aggregate marks in 10th standard.
- Science and Mathematics must be compulsory subjects in 10th standard.
- Must have secured a minimum of 40% marks in English in 10th standard.
- The 10th standard must be passed from a recognized board.
OR
For ITI Course Pass Candidates:
- Must have completed a 2-year ITI course from a Government-approved institute.
- Must have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the final year of ITI.
- Must have secured at least 40% marks in English in 10th standard.
Approved ITI Trades Include:
Fitter, Machinist, Marine Fitter, Motor Mechanic, Turner, Vessel Navigator, Instrument Mechanic, Electronic Mechanic, Electrician, Mechanic Industrial Electronics, Mechanic A/C, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Mechanical Draughtsman, and Welder.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 17.5 years
- Maximum Age: 24 years at the time of commencement of the course
Medical Examination
Eye-Sight Requirements:
- Minimum unaided vision of 6/6.
Eye Health:
- No eye diseases or defects.
- Full and free eye movement with normal pupil response.
- Good binocular vision.
- No color blindness, with color vision tested using the Ishihara Chart.
Physical Fitness:
- Candidates must be medically fit as per the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2000, as amended.
- Medical fitness must include eye sight and hearing standards as prescribed.
- A medical fitness certificate issued by a DG Shipping–approved doctor is mandatory.
GP Rating Course Duration and Training Structure
The GP Rating course duration is 6 months.
During this period, candidates undergo intensive training that balances:
- Classroom learning
- Practical workshops
- Physical conditioning
- Safety drills
- Discipline and routine building
The goal is simple: to make the candidate ship-ready, not just certificate-ready.
What will you learn in the GP Rating course?
The GP Rating syllabus is designed around real shipboard requirements, not academic theory alone.
Deck Department Training Includes:
- Seamanship and rope work
- Cargo handling fundamentals
- Watchkeeping assistance
- Deck maintenance
- Emergency response duties
Engine Department Training Includes:
- Engine room familiarization
- Machinery maintenance basics
- Welding and fitting
- Tool handling
- Lubrication systems
Alongside this, mandatory STCW safety modules are covered, ensuring international compliance.
A GP Rating does not just learn tasks. He or she learns responsibility.
GP Rating Online Exam and BES Exit Exam
As part of the GP Rating training and certification pathway, candidates are required to clear two important assessment stages that evaluate their suitability for maritime training and confirm their eligibility to work onboard merchant vessels. These assessments ensure that only candidates who meet the required academic, aptitude, and regulatory standards are permitted to progress from training to active sea service.
GP Rating Course Online Exam
The GP Rating course online exam is conducted by the training institute as part of the admission and screening process before the commencement of a new batch. Since GP Rating courses attract a very high number of applications—often far exceeding the available seats—the institute conducts an online examination to shortlist only eligible and suitable candidates for admission.
This online exam is designed to assess a candidate’s basic academic knowledge, aptitude, understanding of fundamentals, discipline, and overall suitability for a maritime career. Based on the exam score and the institute’s internal evaluation parameters (often referred to as a trust or suitability score), candidates are ranked, and only those who meet the required standards are offered admission into the GP Rating course. This process ensures that the selected candidates are capable of handling the rigorous training, physical demands, and disciplined lifestyle associated with the Merchant Navy.
BES Exit Exam
The BES Exit Exam is a mandatory and nationally regulated examination conducted by the Board of Examinations for Seafarers (BES). This exit examination must be successfully cleared by all GP Rating course trainees in India. Passing the BES Exit Exam is essential to obtain the Indian Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), which legally authorizes a candidate to work onboard Indian and foreign-flagged merchant ships. Without clearing this exam, a GP Rating trainee cannot sail, irrespective of course completion or placement offers.
Together, the GP Rating online exam and the BES Exit Exam ensure that candidates meet both industry expectations and statutory compliance, confirming that they are professionally trained, safety-aware, and legally qualified to begin their seafaring career.
TAR Book
The TAR Book (Training Assessment Record Book) is an official onboard training document issued to GP Rating students after they join a ship as trainees. It serves as a structured record of the candidate’s practical training, duties performed, skills acquired, and competence developed during sea service. The TAR Book outlines specific tasks related to deck and engine operations that a GP Rating trainee must complete under supervision while sailing. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the trainee gains real shipboard exposure in line with DG Shipping and STCW requirements, rather than learning only through observation.
The TAR Book is usually issued by the training institute or shipping company at the time of joining the vessel. During the sailing period, the trainee performs assigned tasks, which are periodically verified, signed, and stamped by senior officers onboard such as the Chief Officer or Chief Engineer. On successful completion of the required tasks and sea time, the TAR Book acts as documented proof of onboard training, which is essential for career progression, future certifications, and competency upgrades in the Merchant Navy.
Ship Board Certificate
The Ship Board Certificate, also known as the Sea Service Certificate, is an official document that confirms a GP Rating trainee has successfully completed mandatory onboard training on an actual merchant ship, typically for a minimum period of six months. This sea service is a crucial phase where the trainee applies classroom knowledge to real shipboard operations, performs assigned duties under supervision, and gains hands-on experience in deck and engine-related tasks. The certificate serves as formal proof that the trainee has fulfilled the required sea-time component prescribed for GP Rating candidates.
After completion of the onboard training, the shipping vessel company provides detailed completion and service documents confirming the trainee’s period of sailing and duties performed. These documents are then submitted to the training institute where the candidate completed the GP Rating course. The institute critically verifies the authenticity, duration, and compliance of the sea service records, and only after successful verification does it issue the Ship Board Certificate. This certificate is essential for maintaining official sea service records and is required for future certifications, competency upgrades, and long-term career progression in the Merchant Navy.
GP Rating Course Fees in India
The GP Rating course fees vary based on infrastructure, training quality, and accommodation facilities.
On average, GP Rating course fees in India range between:
- ₹2.5 lakhs to ₹4.5 lakhs
This generally includes:
- Tuition and training
- Practical workshops
- Uniforms and safety gear
- Food and Accommodation
Candidates should always confirm what is included before enrolment.
GP Rating Jobs After Course Completion
After completing the course, candidates join ships as Trainee GP Ratings.
Common GP Rating jobs include:
- Deck Rating
- Engine Rating
- Utility Crew
- Maintenance Support Crew
With experience and sea time, candidates move into specialized roles.
Merchant Navy Salary – GP Rating
The Merchant Navy salary for GP Rating professionals typically starts from around ₹25,000 per month and can go up to ₹2,00,000 per month, depending on factors such as the shipping company, type of vessel, trade route, and level of experience. While entry-level GP Ratings begin at the lower end of the pay scale, experienced and well-performing ratings sailing with reputed international shipping companies can earn significantly higher packages over time; moreover, this earnings potential is further enhanced by significant government-provided tax benefits for eligible seafarers, making the actual take-home income considerably more attractive.
Most onboard expenses are covered, allowing strong savings potential.
GP Rating Career Path and Long-Term Growth
The GP Rating career path is progressive and experience-driven.
A typical growth path includes:
- GP Rating (Trainee)
- Able Seaman / Qualified Engine Rating
- Bosun / Fitter
- Advanced competency certifications
- Officer-level pathways (with exams and sea time)
This makes GP Rating a long-term career foundation, not a dead end.
GP Rating Course for Women
The GP Rating course for women is fully supported in today’s Merchant Navy.
Women candidates receive:
- Equal training
- Equal pay
- Safe accommodation
- International exposure
The sea does not differentiate. Skill and discipline define success.
Gender Sensitization in the Merchant Navy
Gender sensitization has become an integral and regulated part of the modern Merchant Navy, driven by international conventions and national maritime authorities. Today, shipping companies and maritime training institutes follow strict zero-tolerance policies toward harassment and discrimination, ensuring a safe, respectful, and professional working environment for all seafarers. Mandatory training on gender sensitization, workplace ethics, and prevention of harassment is now included in pre-sea and onboard familiarization programs, in line with the STCW Convention amendments and company Safety Management Systems (SMS).
In practical terms, women seafarers now serve across deck, engine, and catering departments on merchant vessels worldwide, with equal pay, equal ranks, and equal career progression opportunities. Ships are required to have clear reporting mechanisms, confidential complaint procedures, and designated officers to address grievances promptly. As a result, the Merchant Navy is steadily evolving into a more inclusive, professionally governed, and gender-neutral industry, making courses like GP Rating a viable and safe career option for women aspiring to build a long-term life at sea.
Is GP Rating a DG Shipping approved course?
Yes. The GP Rating course is a DG Shipping approved course, which is mandatory for:
- Indian CDC issuance
- Sailing on Indian and foreign ships
- Global maritime recognition
Never join a non-approved institute.
Where can I do a GP Rating course? | GP Rating course near me
When searching “where can I do GP Rating” or “GP Rating course near me”, always look for:
- DG Shipping approval
- Proven placement support
- Hostel facilities
- Practical training infrastructure
Best GP Rating College in India – HIMT College
HIMT College is widely recognized as one of the Top GP Rating colleges in India.
With over 27 years of experience, HIMT offers:
- DG Shipping approved GP Rating course
- Admission for boys and girls
- On-campus accommodation
- World-class training infrastructure
- Experienced subject matter experts
- Strong industry reputation
- A 95% placement success rate for eligible candidates
HIMT focuses not just on certification, but on career readiness.
Final Conclusion: Is a GP Rating Course the Right Choice?
If you are seeking:
- A practical Merchant Navy entry
- Early earning opportunity
- Global career exposure
- Strong long-term growth
The GP Rating course is one of the most reliable and realistic maritime career options available today.
With the right training institute, discipline, and mindset, GP Rating can transform a beginner into a globally employed seafarer.
FAQs
1. How much is the GP Rating course fees?
The GP Rating course fees in India generally range between ₹2.5 lakhs to ₹4.5 lakhs, depending on the institute’s infrastructure and facilities. At HIMT College, the fees are comprehensive and include training, hostel accommodation, food, workshops, laboratories, library access, uniform, books, and practical exposure, ensuring students receive complete residential and hands-on maritime training under one roof.
2. What is the qualification for GP Rating?
The minimum qualification for GP Rating is 10th pass with Mathematics and Science. ITI candidates and diploma holders are also eligible as per DG Shipping guidelines.
3. How to do GP Rating after 10th?
After completing 10th, candidates must meet medical standards and enroll in a DG Shipping–approved GP Rating course. Institutes like HIMT College provide complete training from basics to ship readiness.
4. What is a GP Rating course salary?
The Merchant Navy salary for GP Rating professionals typically starts from ₹25,000 per month and can go up to ₹2 lakhs per month, varying by shipping company, vessel type, and trade route. Entry-level GP Ratings begin at the lower end, while experienced ratings sailing with reputed international companies earn significantly higher packages over time.
5. What is the age limit and eligibility for a GP Rating course?
The age limit for GP Rating is 17.5 to 25 years. Candidates must be medically fit, have required eyesight, and meet DG Shipping eligibility norms.
6. Is a GP Rating course good for women?
Yes, the GP Rating course is fully suitable for women, offering equal career opportunities and salary. HIMT College encourages women candidates with safe accommodation and inclusive training facilities.
7. Which college is best for GP Rating?
A good GP Rating college must be DG Shipping approved, have strong infrastructure, and experienced faculty. HIMT College is widely regarded as one of the best GP Rating colleges in India with 27+ years of experience.
8. Which college gives 100% placement in the Merchant Navy?
No college can legally guarantee 100% placement, as shipping jobs depend on company selection. HIMT College provides strong placement assistance and industry connections to support candidates. Presently, we have a 95% success rate in placement guidance for eligible candidates.
9. Which course is best for a ship?
The best course depends on career goals—GP Rating is ideal for hands-on ship work, while DNS and GME are officer-entry routes. GP Rating suits those seeking early sea exposure and practical learning.
10. Which is better, GP Rating or DNS or GME?
GP Rating is best for early entry and practical roles, DNS is for deck officer careers, and GME is for mechanical engineering graduates aiming to become marine engineers. The “better” option depends on qualification, budget, and career objective.