GP Rating Course – Complete Guide 2026: Eligibility, Fees, Salary & Career

What is GP Rating Course? Everything a Student Must Know in 2026

If you have passed your 10th or 12th and dream of a career on cargo ships, oil tankers, or container vessels — the GP Rating Course is the fastest, most affordable way to make that dream real. Every year, thousands of Indian students and their parents search for reliable information about the GP Rating Course, but end up confused by too many options.

This guide covers everything about the GP Rating Course — what it is, who can join, how much it costs, what the salary looks like, and how it compares with other merchant navy courses after 12th like the DNS Course. Read this once and you will have complete clarity.

What Does GP Rating Mean?

GP Rating stands for General Purpose Rating. It is a pre-sea training course introduced by the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Government of India, to produce versatile crew members who can work in both the Deck Department and the Engine Room of a merchant ship.

Before GP Rating was introduced, Deck Rating and Engine Rating were separate courses. The merger created a more employable, multi-skilled seafarer — making GP Rating holders highly valuable to shipping companies worldwide.

A GP Rating Course holder performs tasks like:

• Seamanship and deck maintenance
• Cargo handling and ship operations
• Engine room assistance and machinery maintenance
• Firefighting, safety drills, and lifesaving procedures

GP Rating Course – Quick Overview Table

Eligibility for GP Rating Course

One of the biggest advantages of the GP Rating Course is its simple and inclusive eligibility. You do not need to be a science student from 12th. Even a 10th pass student with basic marks can qualify.

GP Rating Course Eligibility – After 10th

Medically fit as per DG Shipping standards (6/6 eyesight, no colour blindness)

Passed Class 10th from a recognized board

Minimum 40% marks in Science, Mathematics and English

Age between 17.5 and 25 years at the time of course commencement

Indian citizen and unmarried

GP Rating Course Eligibility – After 12th

Yes, you can also join the GP Rating Course after 12th in any stream. The eligibility criteria remain the same — 40% in Maths, Science and English from Class 10th. Students who have completed 12th from NIOS (Open Board) or distance learning are generally not eligible for the GP Rating Course at most institutes.

Important: Some institutes like NUSI Goa set a minimum age of 18, while most others accept candidates from 17.5 years. Always confirm the age criteria with your chosen institute.

GP Rating Course – Step-by-Step Admission Process

Getting into a GP Rating Course is straightforward if you follow the right steps. Here is the complete process:

Step 1 – Choose a DG Shipping Approved Institute Only apply to institutes approved by the DG Shipping, Government of India. You can verify the institute list at dgshipping.gov.in. Never pay money to agents or unverified coaching centres.

Step 2 – Submit Application Fill the application form online or offline for your chosen institute. Attach Class 10th marksheet, age proof, passport-size photographs and medical fitness certificate from a DG Shipping approved doctor.

Step 3 – Appear for Entrance Test Most institutes conduct a written test covering Class 10th level English Grammar, Mathematics, Science and General Knowledge, followed by an oral interview.

Step 4 – Medical Examination Clear a medical exam by a DG Shipping approved doctor. The test checks eyesight (6/6 unaided), colour vision, hearing, and general physical fitness. This step is non-negotiable.

Step 5 – 6-Month Pre-Sea Training Once selected, you undergo six months of residential training. The GP Rating Course syllabus covers Ship Types & General Knowledge, Seamanship, Cargo Handling, Marine Engineering Basics, Firefighting, Personal Survival Techniques, First Aid, and Safety Procedures (STCW).

Step 6 – BES Exit Examination After training, all candidates must appear for the BES (Board of Examinations for Seafarers) Exit Exam conducted by DG Shipping. Passing this exam is mandatory to receive your CDC.

Step 7 – Receive CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) Your CDC is your official seafarer identity document. Without CDC, you cannot legally work on any merchant ship in India or abroad.

Step 8 – Join a Ship With your CDC in hand, you join a ship as an Ordinary Seaman (Deck) or Trainee Fitter/Wiper (Engine), usually through placement assistance from your institute.

GP Rating Course Fees in India 2026

The GP Rating Course fees are one of the most affordable among all merchant navy courses. Here is a realistic fee range:

These fees generally include tuition, boarding, lodging, textbooks, examination fees and STCW short courses. Some institutes like GEIMS Goa offer education loan facilities for eligible candidates — making the GP Rating Course accessible even for students from economically weaker backgrounds.

GP Rating Course Salary – What to Expect

Salary is the most exciting part for students and parents. Here is a realistic salary breakdown for GP Rating Course pass-outs in 2026:

A major benefit is that Indian seafarers working on foreign-going ships earn tax-free income if they qualify as Non-Resident Indians (NRI) under the Income Tax Act for that financial year. This makes the real take-home salary significantly higher than what it looks on paper.

Career Growth After GP Rating Course

Many students worry — “Will I always be a Rating? Can I become an officer?” The answer is YES. The GP Rating Course is just the starting point, not the ceiling.

Here is the clear career growth path:

Trainee GP Rating → Ordinary Seaman → Able Seaman → Petty Officer → Bosun (Deck) / Motorman (Engine)

After completing 36 months of sea time, a GP Rating holder becomes eligible to appear for DG Shipping Certificate of Competency (COC) exams and upgrade to officer-level roles:

Bosun / Motorman → (COC Exam) → Junior Officer → 3rd Officer / 4th Engineer → 2nd Officer / 3rd Engineer → Chief Officer / 2nd Engineer → Captain / Chief Engineer

The journey to Captain or Chief Engineer takes around 10–15 years of dedication, sea time and examinations — but the financial and lifestyle rewards are exceptional.

GP Rating Course vs DNS Course vs Merchant Navy Courses After 12th

Many students ask: “Should I do GP Rating Course or DNS Course?” Here is a clear, honest comparison:

Key Takeaway: If you have passed 10th and want to start earning quickly, the GP Rating Course is your best entry. If you have passed 12th with PCM and want to become an officer faster, the DNS Course or B.Tech Marine Engineering is the better long-term choice. For expert guidance on choosing the right path, check out Skills Station by Amrinder Singh — one of the best merchant navy coaching institutes in Dehradun — which offers personalised counselling for students across North India.

Merchant Navy After 10th vs After 12th – Which is Better?

There is no wrong answer. The right choice depends on your current qualification, financial situation and long-term goals. If you are in 12th right now, it is strongly recommended to complete 12th with PCM and then aim for officer-level courses for a much stronger career trajectory.

Top DG Shipping Approved Institutes for GP Rating Course

Always verify approval status at dgshipping.gov.in before paying any fees or signing any documents.

Important Warning – Beware of Maritime Fraud

The Government of India introduced Open CDC to protect students from fraudulent institutes — but unfortunately, fraud still exists in the maritime training space. Here is how to stay safe:

• Never pay money to unknown agents promising direct ship placements
• Always verify your institute on the official DG Shipping website
• Do not trust institutes that do not have a physical campus or proper facilities
• Ask for the institute’s DG Shipping approval number before enrolling

If you need trusted guidance on which institute to choose, how to prepare for the entrance test, and how to avoid scams, the best merchant navy institute in Dehradun — Skills Station by Amrinder Singh — provides honest, student-first counselling specifically for North Indian students.

Frequently Asked Question’s

Final Thoughts

The GP Rating Course is one of the most practical, affordable and fastest ways to start a career in the merchant navy — whether you have passed 10th or 12th. It gives you real sea experience, a solid salary from day one on the ship, and a clear path to officer-level roles with time and dedication.

If you are a student or parent from North India looking for honest guidance — which course to choose, how to prepare, which institute to trust — start your journey with expert support rather than guesswork. Make an informed decision and take that first step toward the sea today.