General Purpose Rating
GP Rating

Course Duration

06 Months

Intake

160 students (Jan & July)

Course Fees

₹3,00,000/-

About The Programme

The General Purpose (GP) Rating Programme is one of India’s most sought-after and accessible entry points into the global Merchant Navy. Approved by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, this programme is designed to prepare young Indian candidates for operational roles aboard commercial vessels — both in the Deck Department and the Engine Room Department — making it one of the most versatile pre-sea training courses available in the country.

The GP Rating programme is a six-month residential course that combines the study of both Deck and Engineering subjects, covering all aspects of the seafaring profession — including swimming, physical drills, workshop training, rope and mast climbing, lifesaving appliances usage, firefighting exercises, and ship visits.

At Asha Marine Technical College & Research (AMTCR), Pali, Mumbaii, the GP Rating programme is delivered in strict accordance with IMO conventions and STCW regulations, ensuring that every graduate holds internationally recognised qualifications and is fully prepared to join Indian or foreign shipping companies upon completion. Our campus, situated in the heart of Mumbai — India’s maritime capital — gives our cadets a distinct advantage: they train in a city where the sea is not a concept but a living, breathing reality.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed their 10th Standard (SSC) from a Government-recognised board, with subjects including English, Mathematics, and Science, securing a minimum of 40% aggregate marks and a minimum of 40% marks in English in the 10th or 12th standard. Additionally, the following candidates are also eligible:
– Candidates who have passed 12th Standard (any stream) from a Government-recognised board with 40% aggregate and 40% in English in the 10th or 12th standard, provided they have studied English, Mathematics, and Science at the 10th Standard level. – Candidates who have passed a 2-year ITI Course (Fitter, Machinist, Mechanic, Welder, or Turner) approved by DVET or NCVT, with a minimum of 40% aggregate marks in the final year of ITI and a minimum of 40% in English in the 10th or 12th standard.

Age Requirement

General: 17½to 25years on the date of course commencement
OBC: Up to 28 years (3 years extension)
SC/ST:Upto 30years (5 years extension)

Medical & Physical Fitness

Candidates must be medically fit as per the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2000. A medical fitness certificate issued by a DG Shipping-approved doctor is mandatory, and medical fitness must include eyesight and hearing standards as prescribed.
Specific physical requirements include: – Eyesight of 6/6 in each eye with no colour blindness and no use of visual aids. – Minimum height of 157 cm with weight proportionate to height – No hearing impairments or physical disabilities that would affect the performance of shipboard duties – Good overall physical health with no serious medical conditions Note: All medical examinations must be conducted by a DG Shipping-approved medical practitioner prior to admission.

Required Documents

10thpass original mark sheet
Passport(Pages 1, 2, 3)
Passport-sizephoto (3.5cm x3.5cm) with 75% face coverage, plaincolor shirt, white background
Signature on a white page with Blue ball pen (as per passport)

Programme Structure & Syllabus

The GP Rating programme at Asha Marine Technical College & Research (AMTCR), Pali, Mumbaii is structured to deliver a thorough, practical, and internationally compliant training experience. The programme focuses on training cadets in two main roles of the shipping sector — Deck crew and Engine crew — combining both Deck and Engine Rating aspects into a single comprehensive course.

Module 1 — Maritime English & General Ship Knowledge (GSK)

An essential foundation module covering maritime communication, ship terminology, nautical vocabulary, flag signals, and basic navigation concepts. English is the working language of the international maritime industry, and this module ensures every cadet can communicate effectively and safely aboard any vessel worldwide.

Module 2 — Seamanship & Deck Operations

This module covers ship terminology, navigation basics, steering and helm orders, flag signals, and safety procedures. Cadets also receive hands-on training in knot tying, rope work, mooring equipment, and all practical deck seamanship activities required aboard commercial vessels.

Module 3 — Marine Engineering Knowledge (MEK)

This module covers basic knowledge of marine engines, pumps, and other machinery. Cadets are trained in engine room operations, basic maintenance, machinery handling, and the fundamental engineering principles that underpin safe and efficient ship operations.

Module 4 — Practical Workshop Training

Practical seamanship training covers knot tying, rope work, basic welding and fitting, and working with mooring equipment. Workshop training at AMTCR also includes carpentry, plumbing, hot workshop operations, and hands-on machinery training — ensuring cadets arrive on their first vessel fully prepared for the physical demands of shipboard work.

Module 5 — STCW Basic Safety Certification

Mandatory STCW courses include Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Elementary First Aid, and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities. These internationally recognised certifications are compulsory for joining any merchant vessel worldwide and are fully integrated into the AMTCR GP Rating programme.

Module 6 — Simulator & Navigation Training

Modern GP Rating programmes include simulator training to familiarise students with ship operations, navigation scenarios, and emergencies. Simulators provide a safe environment to practise critical procedures before going to sea, enhancing confidence and operational readiness. At AMTCR Pali Mumbai, cadets have access to Navigation, Radar, ARPA, Steering, and GMDSS simulators throughout their training.

Module 7 — Physical Training, Drills & Ship Visits

The programme includes swimming, physical drills, rope and mast climbing, and lifesaving appliances usage, as well as firefighting exercises and ship visits. These activities are not supplementary — they are central to producing a cadet who is physically capable, safety-aware, and mentally prepared for life at sea.

Scope of the Programme

The GP Rating programme offers one of the broadest and most future-proof scopes of any entry-level maritime course in India. On successful completion of the pre-sea training, candidates are able to join Indian and foreign shipping companies as either Deck Crew or Engine Crew, and are able to work in all seamanship activities aboard at the deck side as well as the engine side.
The global shipping industry employs millions of seafarers and faces a consistent, growing demand for trained and certified personnel. India is one of the world’s largest suppliers of maritime talent, and a DG Shipping-certified GP Rating from a Grade A1-rated institution like AMTCR carries significant weight with employers both domestically and internationally.

Beyond entry-level employment, the scope of the GP Rating is expansive:
The global nature of the Merchant Navy also means that a GP Rating graduate from AMTCR Pali Mumbai has the opportunity to travel the world, experience different cultures, develop international professional networks, and build a career that is genuinely borderless.
For those who qualify as Non-Resident Indians by spending over 183 days at sea in a year, the Merchant Navy salary is tax-free — offering a unique and significant financial advantage over land-based careers in India.
With further sea service, GP Rating graduates are promoted to the positions of Deck Serang, Bosun, Able-Bodied Seaman, or Engine Fitter, and can also be promoted to officer level with the requisite sea service and qualifications.

Certificates Awarded on Completion

Upon successful completion of the GP Rating pre-sea training program and passing all required assessments at AMTCR Pali Mumbai, trainees are awarded:

• GP Rating Course Completion Certificate — issued by AMTCR and approved by DG Shipping, Government of India
• STCW Basic Safety Training Certificates (PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR)
• Security Awareness / Designated Security Duties Certification (as applicable)
• INDOS Registration — Indian National Database of Seafarers
• Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) — the internationally recognised seafarer identity and sea service record document

Upon completion of the course, candidates become eligible for placement opportunities as GP Ratings onboard Merchant Navy vessels, where they gain practical sea-going experience in deck and engine department operations.

Career Growth Path

Stage

On Joining

After 2–3 Years

After Further Sea Service

After COC Examinations

Senior Officer Level

Master Mariner / Chief Engineer

Position

Trainee Ordinary Seaman / Trainee Fitter or Oiler

Able Bodied Seaman / Motorman / Oilman

Bosun / Deck Serang / Engine Fitter

3rd / 2nd Officer or Junior Engineer

Chief Officer / Chief Engineer

Captain of the Ship

Approximate Earnings

USD 300 – USD 600 / month

USD 600 – USD 950 / month

USD 950 – USD 1,450 / month

USD 1,500 – USD 2,500/month

USD 4,000 – USD 8,000/month

USD 5,000 – USD 10,000/month

Placement Opportunities

At Asha Marine Technical College & Research (AMTCR), Pali, Mumbai, we understand that a training programme is only as valuable as the career doors it opens. Our placement support is an integral part of the GP Rating programme — not an afterthought. Direct Industry Access
Our Grade A1 (Outstanding) CIP rating from DG Shipping means that employers recognise and trust the quality of an AMTCR certificate.
Campus Placement Drives — We regularly host campus placement activities where shipping companies and crewing agents visit Asha Marine Technical College & Research (AMTCR), Pali, Mumbai to recruit directly from our graduating batches — giving our cadets first-mover access to employment opportunities before they even complete their training.
Indian CDC & BES Examination Support — After external examinations conducted by the Board of Examination of Seafarers (BES) under DG Shipping, students who successfully pass are issued an Indian Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) and are eligible for ship jobs around the world.
AMTCR provides full guidance and support to cadets through this process.
Crewing Agency Tie-Ups — Asha Marine Technical College & Research (AMTCR), Pali, Mumbai maintains active connections with leading crewing agencies that place seafarers aboard Indian flag and foreign flag vessels — covering tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, offshore vessels, and more.
Educational Loan Assistance — We assist eligible students in obtaining educational loans from nationalised banks, with the institute’s admission and enrollment letters serving as supporting documentation for loan applications. Alumni Network
Our growing network of AIIMT alumni currently serving aboard vessels across the globe is one of our most valuable placement assets. Senior alumni actively support new graduates in finding their first berths and navigating the early stages of their maritime careers. .

General Purpose Rating GP Rating