A Career in Indian Navy
A career in Indian Navy is adventurous as well as engaging for aspirants who dream of getting inducted into the navy section of the Indian defence mechanism.
Indian Navy not only provides opportunities to safeguard our nation from outside threats through water but also facilitates working along with a dynamic team whose life is inevitably linked with ships and seas.
Let us probe in detail the career prospects put forward by the Indian Navy for youngsters of India.
Career roles of Indian Navy can be broadly divided in to two sections. The details of them are given below

- Officer
- Sailor
Job Role | Selection | Type of Entry |
Entry of an Officer in Indian Navy | Permanent Commission, Short Service Commission | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Entries Direct Entry: Permanent Commission For Undergraduate Level Entry Direct Entry: Permanent Commission For Graduate Level Entries Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET): Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission for Graduate Level Entries |
Entry of a sailor in Indian Navy | Written Examination, Physical Test, Entry Level Medical Test and Final Enrolment Medicals | 1-Senior Secondary Recruit (SSR) 2- Matric Recruit (MR) (Chef / Steward / Sanitary Hygienist) 3- Musician (MUS) 4- Sports Entry 5- Artificer Apprentices (AA) |
Indian Navy Entrance Examinations
Name of the Entrance Examination | Particulars of Examination |
NDA (Only for Men) | Written Examination Conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) SSB Interview Medical Examination |
Indian Navy direct entry exam (MER exam) (Sailor) | Direct Recruitment by Indian Navy Written Examination Physical Fitness Test |
Indian Navy Law and Logistics Cadre exam | Merit List based on Written Exam SSB Interview No written exam for permanent commission |
Indian Navy direct entry Artificer Exam | Written Examination Physical Fitness Test Medical Examination |
Indian Navy SSC Technical Exam | Written exam SSB Group Discussion Interview Medical Fitness Test |
University Entry Scheme | Campus Interview Medical Test |
Special Naval Architect Entry Scheme | Campus Interview Medical Test |
Read more about Careers
Major Career streams in Indian Navy
Major Career streams in Indian Navy can be stratified in to five sections.
They are Executive Stream, Engineering Stream, Electrical Stream, Medical Stream, and Education Stream. Further details of the same are given below
Career Streams | Career Roles Performed | Designations |
Executive Stream | Focus on the smooth functioning of the ship by ensuring effective navigation communication, aviation, and Logistics details In Short, the Executive stream controls naval onboard Operations | Pilot Officer General Service Officer Observer Officer Law Officer Hydrographic Officer Diver Officer Provost Officer Logistic Officer Submarine Officer |
Engineering Stream | Focus on keeping the navy machinery free from any type of malfunctioning Design, construct, and keep up with effective quality control and repairing of the naval vessels associated with the Indian Navy | General Services Engineers Naval Construction related Engineers Submarine Engineers |
Electrical Stream | This stream caters to the electrical requirements of the warships thereby providing adequate electrical support to the Indian Navy | Electrical engineers maintain radar and radio communication. They also manage missile systems and computer-controlled machineries |
Medical Stream | Due consideration is given to the health requirements of the servicemen who join the Indian Navy | Medical Practitioners |
Education Stream | Giving necessary training to officers and sailors who join Indian Navy | Specialized Officers |
Salary and other benefits of Personnel who join Indian Navy
A career in the Navy is associated with numerous perks and emoluments that will never fail to fascinate the ambitious youth targeting the Indian Navy to pursue their dream career.
Let us have a look at the salary and other benefits enjoyed by Navy Personnel in India.
Rank of the Officials | Salary |
Admiral | INR 30,0000 |
Vice Chief of Naval Staff | INR 26,0000 |
Vice Admiral | INR 24,000-INR 24,5000 |
Rear Admiral | INR 18,400-INR 22,4000 |
Captain | INR 17,100-INR 20,4500 |
Commander | INR 15,100-INR 18,7000 |
Lieutenant Commander | INR 12,800-INR 16,0500 |
Lieutenant | INR 10,000-INR 11,8000 |
Sub-lieutenant | INR 8,2500-INR 10,0500 |
General Allowances for Navy Personnel
- Submarine Allowance
- Diving Allowance
- Expatriation Allowance
- Uniform Allowance
Specific Allowances for Navy Personnel
Allowance | Target Officials | Rate Per Month (in INR) |
Flying | Qualified Pilot / Observer | 25000 Per Month |
Submarine | Qualified Submariner | 25000 Per Month |
Marcos | Qualified as MARCOs | 25000 Per Month |
Diving Qualified | Ship Diver | 900 Per Month |
Sea Going | All Naval Officers serving Onboard Ships (Sailing only) | 10500 Per Month |
Technical | Technical Officers | 3000 – 4500 per Month |
Hard Area | All Officers posted in Hard Area as declared by Govt. | 20% of Basic Pay |
House Rent | To Officers not provide Govt. Accommodation | 24%, 16%, 8% of Basic Pay |
Transport | All Officers | 7200 or 3600 Plus Dearness Allowance |
Career for Women in Indian Navy
Indian Navy started giving career opportunities for women as Short Service Commissioned Officers in specific branches of the Navy from the year 1992.
Following streams of Indian Navy are open for woman candidates who dream of a career in Indian Navy.
- Air Traffic Control (ATC)
- Law
- Pilot (Maritime Reconnaissance Stream only)
- Education
- Naval Architecture
- Logistics
- Observers in Aviation
- Naval Armament Inspectorate