The eligibility for joining merchant navy is finishing class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates have to be unmarried Indian citizens (male or female). Normal vision is required but glasses up to plus or minus 2.5 may be allowed.

In Merchant Navy , the salary can range from anywhere between Rs. 12000 to Rs. 8 lakhs per month though the pay structure differ from company to company, city to city, the export-import needs, seniority etc.