What is Sponsorship in Merchant Navy?
Sponsorship means you have been given a job guarantee by a company that, after the completion of your pre-sea course (e.g., DNS), you will be trained on a ship and will be provided placement, where you receive a stipend during your training period.
Once you clear the IMU CET Exam and obtain a sponsorship, it means that your job (on-board training) is guaranteed after you finish your pre-sea training.
What are the eligibility criteria for Sponsorship?
The eligibility criteria for sponsorship in the merchant navy can vary from sponsoring company and the maritime training institute. Here are some common eligibility criteria for sponsorship:
- Candidates need to have completed their 10+2 education with a minimum 60% marks in physics, chemistry and mathematics (PCM).
- Candidates must have secured minimum 50% marks in English in 10th or 12th.
Age Limit
- Below 25 years at the time of commencement of the course.
Medical Standard
- Candidates should be physically fit for sea service with eyesight up to 6/6 with no color blindness.
How to get Sponsorship
The sponsorship test comprises Four Sections:
- Written Test Psychometric Test 3. Interview 4. Medical Test
Written Test
In written test questions will be based on 12th Board Exam, similar to IMU CET Exam. (Math, Physics, Chemistry, English, General Aptitude).
Psychometric Test
The psychometric test is not the same for every company. Each shipping company has its own pattern for the psychometric test. These tests are designed to assess the psychological suitability, cognitive abilities, including numerical, verbal, and abstract reasoning, and personality traits of the candidates required for a maritime career.
Example: i) What would you do if your boss asked you to do something wrong?
- ii) Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?
iii) How do you handle stress and pressure in a work environment?
- iv) You observe a crew member not following safety protocols on board. What
actions would you take in this situation?
With the help of such type of questions they try to understand how you handle real-life situations and what kind of person you are at work.
Interview
In interview you will be asked common questions such as:
- Tell us something about yourself.
- Tell me about your family background.
- Why do you want to join Merchant Navy?
- Tell us about strength and weakness.
They may ask you questions from your subject of exams like, physics, general aptitude, or math.
Medical test (By DG Approved Doctors)
A medical test is conducted to examine your respiratory system, skeletal system, digestive system, etc. But the most important thing is your eyesight. You need to have an eyesight of 6/6 without color blindness.
After successfully passing all the above-mentioned four phases, candidates are ‘SPONSORED’ by the company and are issued a ‘Sponsorship Letter.
To secure the present and future of the candidate, we strongly recommend that every candidate willing to join a Marine/Merchant Navy must obtain sponsorship from a reputable shipping company. Shipping companies rarely hire fresh candidates who have completed the pre-sea course as “NON-SPONSORED’. Therefore, it is very important to obtain sponsorship from an approved shipping company before taking admission to any D.G. approved college for Pre-Sea training.
All the very Best!!