A day in this work
You navigate or run the engines of cargo ships crossing the world. Months at sea, then long breaks at home, with pay that reflects it.
Ways in
- BSc Nautical Science (3 years) or B.Tech Marine Engineering (4 years)
- Diploma in Nautical Science (1 year), then sea time
- Sponsorship from a shipping company helps a great deal
After Class 10
Science with Maths (PCM)
Entrance exams to know
- IMU-CET
- Company sponsorship tests
- Medical and eyesight standards
Years, cost and pay
- Years of study
- 1 to 4
- Whole-course cost, government or aided
- ₹2 to 8 lakh
- Whole-course cost, private
- ₹8 to 25 lakh
- Typical starting pay
- ₹6 to 12 lakh a year
Indicative bands from the pilot dataset (0.1 (pilot), 19 September 2026). Real fees and pay vary a lot by college, city and year. Check the official sites below.
No college, coaching institute, lender or study-abroad agent pays to appear on these pages. Pathways takes no money from them.
Outlook, and how AI is changing this work
Outlook: Steady. AI changes little of the daily work.
Long stretches away from family are the real test. Talk to someone who has sailed.
Try this week
Find a relative or alumni who has sailed and ask what the fourth month at sea feels like.
Check the facts yourself
These are official sites. Exam names, dates, fees and rules change every year, so confirm them there. Each link opens in a new tab.
Careers close to this one
See how well this fits you
Discovery in the app takes about eight minutes and gives each of these 52 careers a fit score from your own answers. It is free during the pilot, and nobody is asked for an email address or a phone number. Students under 18 need a parent or guardian to agree first, and children under 13 cannot join yet.