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Trishul Defence Academy 
A very common decision facing maritime employment aspirants is choosing between the Merchant Navy and the Indian Navy. Candidates will have similar employment opportunities, but there are many differences in terms of how they live, work, and train for their respective careers. Below is an extensive comparison between both branches to assist candidates in making an educated choice.
Indian Navy vs Merchant Navy – Major Differences Explained
There exist several differences between Indian Navy and Merchant Navy with regard to the area of responsibility, ownership, career paths, and the overall lifestyle of personnel who serve in each of these two naval services. Both navies operate in the marine environment, but each has specific duties related to the types of operations performed by the respective navy.
The Indian Navy is part of the Armed Forces of India and operates under the control of the Indian Ministry of Defence in order to protect India’s sea borders, enhance national security, and safeguard India’s maritime interests. The Indian Navy will normally assist in wartime and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations (e.g. post-earthquake activities). The Merchant Navy is an aggregator of both commercial and governmental vessels. The predominant goal of the Merchant Navy is to facilitate international trade through the transport of goods (including petroleum), freight, and passengers between countries.
Hence, although there are similarities in the overall functions of the merchant navy vs indian navy, one focuses exclusively on defence and the other focuses solely on trade. Furthermore, while Indian Navies operate primarily in the Indian Ocean for the benefit of India’s Armed Forces, the majority of Merchant Navies operate on behalf of several countries and must comply with the international rules and regulations that govern merchant vessels and operations.
Candidates who wish to join the Indian navy entry, are offered positions based on results from Indian Navy Examination including the UPSC NDA, NA, CDS, and SSC. The examinations that allow entry into a Merchant Shipping Career differ from those of the Indian Navy in that Merchant Shipping Career entrants take the IMUCET and merchant navy examinations conducted by Maritime Colleges and Universities.
When comparing merchant navy vs indian navy salary, the Indian Naval salaries are regulated by the Indian Government with defined structures for salary increases according to Rank, Years of Service, and Promotion. Merchant Shipping Career salaries can vary greatly from one company to another, and from one Rank to another. Therefore, while some Merchant Shipping Career Officers do receive high salaries, the salaries are often based on contracts, and there is no fixed salary.
Talking about indian navy benefits, personnel receive Official Accommodation, CSD Canteens, Pension, Medical Care, Travel Allowance and Post-Retirement Benefits. While merchant navy benefits are according to their individual contract, the majority of benefits provided in the Merchant Shipping Career are governed by International Maritime Standards. Some examples of merchant navy benefits are: comprehensive insurance, paid leave, and bonuses. However, benefits provided to Merchant Shipping Career members do not typically include a Pension or Long-Term Government Security.
The Indian Navy training takes place at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Naval Academy and other naval training establishments. The training focuses on discipline, leadership, physical fitness and technical skills. The Merchant Navy training takes place in government-approved maritime institutes and requires candidates to complete training in areas including DNS, Nautical Science, Marine Engineering and GP Rating; the focus is primarily on ship operation and ship-related technical skills.
Regarding Indian Navy eligibility, candidates must meet the educational requirement of passing 10+2 with a science (MN) background in addition to the Indian Navy age limit of being within the specified age bracket for the specific entry scheme being applied for. For merchant navy eligibility, candidates will be expected to meet the same eligibility criteria, passing 10+2 with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) and the merchant navy age limit is usually 17 to 25 years.
When comparing the work schedules of both the Indian Navy and the Merchant Navy, the Indian Navy has a clearly defined system of service and promotion opportunities dictated by service length, performance and examination results. In contrast, career progression in the Merchant Navy is primarily determined by experience in sea-time and successful completion of competency exams that allow individuals to advance in rank.
On the other hand, the Indian Navy has its share of difficulties and lifestyle issues stemming from the high level of responsibility associated with operating within this organisation, such as strict guidelines and operational risk when deployed abroad on operations. Conversely, the Merchant Navy has a very different type of life as it offers exciting opportunities to travel all over the world; however, the life of a sailor can be difficult because they may be away from their families for months at a time.
Join Trishul Defence Academy: Your Gateway to a Career in the Armed Forces
If you want to join the Indian Army, Indian Navy or Indian Air Force and would like to be part of your country’s armed forces, then Trishul Defence Academy is a great place to get started on your journey to becoming an officer in one of these three branches of the Armed Forces. At our academy, we will prepare you to become an officer in any of the three branches of the Armed Forces by training you to be a confident individual with the necessary skills, discipline and motivation to serve our Country as an Officer.
At Trishul Defence Academy, students are prepared for competitive examinations such as NDA, CDS, AFCAT and Indian Navy entry. Trishul Defence Academy provides a holistic approach to preparing students to compete successfully in military academy examinations by providing assistance with preparing for both the written examinations and SSB interviews, as well as developing the leadership qualities, personality traits and communication abilities required to succeed as an officer.
The emphasis placed on physical fitness and military discipline by Trishul Defence Academy is what makes it different from other training institutions. Physical fitness is one of the most important components necessary for a successful military career. All students will have an opportunity to participate in regular physical training and conduct mock physical fitness assessments. These activities help students develop confidence in themselves and increase their fitness level over time.
Trishul Defence Academy provides experienced faculty, systematic study plans, and personalised mentorship assisting students throughout the process of understanding their eligibility and age limits to being ultimately selected as an officer. The goal of the Academy is to train quality officers capable of exhibiting mental strength, physical fitness, and moral integrity.
If you have made a definitive decision to pursue a career within the Defence Forces, consider joining Trishul Defence Academy, where you will begin your journey to wearing the uniform with honour.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between Indian Navy and Merchant Navy?
The Indian Navy is a sector of the Armed Forces designed for the protection of its citizens, while the Merchant Navy manages the business aspect of the shipping industry on a global level, supporting Commerce with its services; there are many differences regarding how they train, pay their employees, and create work schedules.
2. Which has more salary, the Merchant Navy or the Indian Navy?
Merchant Navy vs Indian Navy salary varies: The Merchant Navy offers salary ranges between INR 0.3 lakh (30,000) – 20.8 lakh (2,08,000) annually, depending on rank and sea experience, versus the Indian Navy, which has a fixed salary offered through the Government of India. However, the Indian Navy does provide benefits associated with military service and will pay pensions upon retirement.
3. Merchant Navy or Indian Navy: Which is better?
Both are meaningful and fulfilling careers. Indian Navy entry offers a secure job with a set path for promotion and a chance to serve your country; in contrast, Merchant Navy entry offers high earning potential at a much quicker pace and offers you the chance of working globally. Choosing the best route for yourself should depend on your future career aspirations and preferred lifestyle choices.
4. Is Merchant Navy a part of Indian Navy?
No, the Merchant Navy vs Indian Navy are completely independent; the Indian Navy is a military organization while the Merchant Navy is a commercial organisation regulated by international law.
5. How are Indian Navy and Merchant Navy examinations different?
The Process of applying for the Indian Navy includes exams conducted by UPSC that provide you with defence training and selection into Officer positions. For the Merchant Navy, there are various exams (IMUCET) and other course-specific examinations that you will need to complete to be eligible. These tests offer you knowledge about your maritime responsibilities and the technical skills required to be successful in the global shipping arena.
