The Indian Merchant Navy industry is witnessing one of its biggest transformations in recent years — the steady rise of women seafarers. What was once considered a male-dominated profession is now opening its doors wider through government-backed scholarships, policy reforms, workplace safety regulations, recruitment initiatives, and institutional support systems specifically designed to encourage women to join the maritime sector.
Today, women are actively serving as Deck Officers, Marine Engineers, Electro-Technical Officers (ETO), Ratings, and maritime professionals onboard international vessels across the world. To support this growth, the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Government of India, along with Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs), has introduced multiple initiatives focused on gender equality, safety, financial support, and career progression for female candidates.
The increasing participation of women in global shipping is also being recognized internationally. Similar to International Women’s Day celebrated on 8th March, the maritime industry observes 18th May as the International Day for Women in Maritime to celebrate and encourage the growing contribution of women in the shipping sector. The occasion highlights the importance of equal opportunities, leadership development, workplace inclusion, and stronger female representation across navigation, marine engineering, maritime education, and global shipping operations.
For aspiring women seafarers, this is one of the best periods to enter the maritime industry.
Why More Women Are Choosing Merchant Navy Careers in India
The Merchant Navy offers a combination of:
- High-paying global careers
- International exposure
- Faster financial growth
- Equal salary structures
- Technical and leadership opportunities
- Tax benefits for eligible seafarers
- Long-term career stability
Unlike many traditional industries, shipping companies primarily operate on international maritime conventions where rank, competency, and certifications matter more than gender. As a result, women officers today are increasingly gaining equal opportunities onboard ships.
The Indian government has also recognized the need to improve women’s participation in maritime careers and has gradually introduced structured reforms to encourage more female cadets into the industry.
Government Benefits and DG Shipping Support for Women Seafarers in 2026
1. â‚ą1,00,000 MTT Scholarship for Women Seafarers
One of the biggest financial advantages available for female maritime aspirants is the Maritime Training Trust (MTT) Scholarship as per M.S. Notice 07 of 2019.
Under this initiative supported by DG Shipping, eligible Indian women candidates pursuing approved pre-sea maritime courses can receive a financial grant of â‚ą1,00,000 per academic year.
The scholarship applies to major maritime programs such as:
- B.Sc. Nautical Science
- B.Tech Marine Engineering
- Graduate Marine Engineering (GME)
- GP Rating
- Electro Technical Officer (ETO) courses
The scheme was initially introduced during the 2014–15 academic period and the scholarship amount was increased to ₹1,00,000 from FY 2019–20 onward, making maritime education more financially accessible for women candidates.
This initiative has significantly reduced educational barriers and encouraged more female participation in shipping careers.
2. Additional Age Relaxation for Female Candidates
DG Shipping has also introduced age relaxation benefits for women applying to selected pre-sea courses.
As per DG Shipping training circulars, female candidates receive an additional 2-year relaxation in the upper age limit for admissions.
This policy benefits
- Women joining maritime careers after graduation
- Candidates shifting careers later
- Aspirants who may have taken academic breaks
- Women pursuing maritime studies after conventional university education
The relaxation improves accessibility and gives aspiring female seafarers more flexibility while entering the maritime sector.
3. “Sagar Mein Samman” – India’s Maritime Gender Equality Initiative
In 2026, DG Shipping strengthened its focus on gender inclusion through the “Sagar Mein Samman” (SMS) Five-Year Action Plan.
This initiative acts as a long-term roadmap for improving gender equality within the Indian maritime industry.
The program focuses on:
- Better onboard infrastructure for women
- Safer working environments
- Leadership development opportunities
- Improved recruitment of female cadets
- Higher retention of women seafarers
- Mentorship and welfare systems
- Stronger grievance redressal mechanisms
This marks a major shift from merely allowing women into maritime careers to actively supporting their long-term professional growth.
4. Mandatory Gender Sensitization & Safe Workplace Policies
Safety and workplace dignity are among the most important concerns for women entering the Merchant Navy.
To address this, DG Shipping introduced structured gender sensitization frameworks under DGS Order No. 01 of 2023 and subsequent maritime welfare initiatives.
Today, maritime institutes and shipping companies are mandatory to implement:
- Anti-harassment policies
- Gender sensitization training
- Safe grievance reporting systems
- Zero-tolerance workplace misconduct frameworks
- Women welfare measures onboard ships
Pre-sea and post-sea competency programs are also increasingly incorporating gender equity and professional conduct modules.
This has improved awareness and accountability within the maritime ecosystem.
5. Equal Pay and Non-Discriminatory Promotion Policies
One of the strongest advantages of the Merchant Navy profession is its internationally aligned salary structure.
DG Shipping guidelines and international maritime conventions prohibit gender-based discrimination in:
- Salaries
- Promotions
- Employment contracts
- Rank progression
- Welfare benefits
Female officers and engineers are entitled to equal pay scales similar to male officers holding the same rank and competency certifications.
This makes the Merchant Navy one of the few industries where structured pay parity already exists operationally across many global shipping companies.
6. Maternity and Welfare Support for Female Seafarers
The Indian maritime sector has also started expanding welfare support systems for women seafarers.
Recent maritime welfare policies include focus areas such as:
- Maternity leave support
- Rejoining opportunities after maternity breaks
- Medical welfare measures
- Career continuity support
- Seafarer wellbeing initiatives
This is an important development because it helps women maintain long-term maritime careers without being forced to permanently leave the profession after motherhood.
Medical Standards for Women Joining Merchant Navy
Women candidates must satisfy the same professional medical standards applicable to all seafarers.
These standards are regulated under the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2024.
Eyesight Requirements
For Deck Department:
- 6/6 vision in better eye
- 6/9 vision in other eye
- No colour blindness
- Ishihara colour vision test mandatory
For Engine Department:
- Minor refractive errors may be accepted in some cases
- Corrective lenses may be permitted depending on standards
Hearing Standards
Candidates must generally be able to hear a standard whisper from approximately 5 meters without hearing aids.
General Health Standards
Candidates should not suffer from serious:
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Respiratory illnesses
- Severe skeletal deformities
- Hernia complications
- Serious neurological disorders
The medical examination ensures candidates are physically capable of handling shipboard duties safely.
Height and Weight Criteria for Female Candidates
DG Shipping-approved medical standards also specify physical fitness benchmarks.
Height Criteria
Female candidates generally require:
- Minimum height between 145 cm to 152 cm
- Additional relaxation for certain hilly and north-eastern region candidates
Weight Criteria
Typical standards include:
- Minimum weight approximately 39–42 kg
- Weight proportionate to height and BMI standards
The focus is primarily on overall physical fitness rather than appearance-based criteria.
HIMT College Support and Benefits for Female Candidates
Alongside government initiatives, HIMT College has introduced multiple support measures for female maritime aspirants.
These initiatives are designed to reduce financial burden while creating a safe and encouraging learning environment.
1. HIMT Fee Discount for Female Candidates (Pre-Sea)
HIMT College is proud to support and encourage women aspiring to build successful careers in the shipping industry. As part of this initiative, the institute offers a scholarship of â‚ą1,00,000 for female cadets enrolling in B.Tech and B.Sc. maritime programs, and â‚ą25,000 for cadets joining Graduate Marine Engineering (GME), GP Rating, and Electro Technical Officer (ETO) pre-sea courses. This significantly lowers overall educational expenses and improves affordability.
2. HIMT Fee Discount for Female Candidates (Post-Sea)
All female seafarers can avail a flat 5% fee discount on selected D.G. Shipping-approved post-sea courses at HIMT. This benefit is applicable for the Basic STCW Course, Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD), and Passenger Ship Familiarization (PSF) courses.
3. Merit Scholarship for High Academic Performance
HIMT also provides â‚ą20,000 scholarship for candidates scoring above 95% in PCM in Class XII or for students securing Top 100 ranks in IMU CET. This benefit applies to both male and female candidates.
4. Safe and Separate Accommodation Facilities
Safety and comfort remain major priorities for women entering residential maritime training.
HIMT provides:
- Separate accommodation facilities for female cadets
- Secure residential environment
- Structured campus discipline
- Student support systems
This helps parents and students feel more confident about maritime residential training.
5. Holistic Campus Life and Equal Opportunities
Modern maritime education extends beyond classrooms.
HIMT supports students through:
- Wellness centres
- Sports and play areas
- Inter-college competitions
- Extracurricular activities
- Leadership opportunities
- Competitive examination preparation
- Equal participation platforms
- Student Safety & Anti-Harassment Policy
Such exposure helps cadets develop communication skills, confidence, discipline, teamwork, and leadership qualities essential for shipboard careers.
The Future of Women in Merchant Navy
The Indian maritime industry is clearly moving toward greater inclusivity and equality.
Government initiatives, DG Shipping reforms, scholarship schemes, and institutional support systems are creating stronger opportunities for women who aspire to build successful careers at sea.
Today, women are no longer entering the Merchant Navy as exceptions; they are becoming an important part of the future maritime workforce.
With structured financial support, improved safety policies, equal salary systems, professional growth opportunities, and modern maritime education, the Merchant Navy has become one of the most promising global career paths for ambitious women in India.
For aspiring female cadets, the opportunities are stronger, the support systems are better, and the industry is more welcoming than ever before.
The sea is no longer a profession limited by gender. It is a profession driven by skill, discipline, competence, and determination.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can girls join the Merchant Navy in India after 10th or 12th?
Yes, female candidates can join the Merchant Navy after completing their 10th or 12th with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) through courses such as B.Sc. Nautical Science, B.Tech Marine Engineering, DNS, GP Rating, and ETO programs.
2. Is there any scholarship for women in Merchant Navy courses?
Yes. The Government of India provides the MTT Scholarship of â‚ą1,00,000 for eligible women seafarers pursuing approved pre-sea maritime courses. Additionally, Maritime Training institutes (MTI) like HIMT College also offer special scholarships and fee concessions for all eligible female candidates.
3. Are women safe while working onboard ships?
Modern shipping companies follow strict international maritime safety regulations, anti-harassment policies, and gender sensitization guidelines issued by DG Shipping. Many companies also provide separate accommodation and grievance redressal systems for women seafarers.
4. Do female officers get an equal salary in the Merchant Navy?
Yes. Merchant Navy salaries are rank-based and competency-based, not gender-based. Female officers receive the same salary, promotion opportunities, and employment benefits as male officers under international maritime employment standards.
5. What is the minimum height requirement for girls in the Merchant Navy?
The minimum height requirement for male and female candidates generally ranges between 145 cm and 152 cm depending on the course and medical standards. Weight must also be proportionate to height as per DG Shipping medical fitness guidelines.