GP rating or General Purpose rating course is a 6-month pre-sea residential program that provides the path to get a job in the merchant navy ships. The course trains students to evolve into competent and qualified professionals to efficiently deal with tasks related to Cargo Handling, Seamanship, Operation & Maintenance of Machinery, and Maintenance work on deck. The aspiring students can pursue this training course after completing 10th/12th Standard with Science, Mathematics, and English as the compulsory subjects.
This Pre-Sea training course inculcates both theoretical and practical study of marine engineering and generalship knowledge that helps build successful trainees in merchant shipping. After completing the training program, students can join the maritime ships as a Trainee Fitter, Trainee Engine, Trainee Oiler, to name a few. After completing the training period in merchant ships, they can be promoted to Able-bodied, Bosun and Deck Officer/Captain after qualifying entrance exam conducted by the Board of Examination of Seafarers (BES) under Director General of Shipping (Govt. of India). The professional who works under the Deck and Engine Department get considerable pay according to their experiences & qualifications.
What is GP rating Full Form?
The full form of GP rating is General Purpose Rating. This course is a half-year pre-sea training program encompassing several significant aspects of Deck and Engineering departments in the seafaring profession. The course trains the individuals to make a career in the merchant navy ships.
G.P Rating Course Details
GP rating course, a six-month training programme builds students into energetic, competent and well qualified to deal with the task provided under the marine ships. It is a Pre-Sea training program approved by the DG Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Govt. of India. The training course combines the theoretical and practical study of generalship knowledge & marine engineering knowledge, which helps students evolve into professional trainees. Under the program, students deal with several aspects of the seafaring profession, including appliances usage, physical drills, lifesaving fire fighting exercises, workshop training, rope and mast climbing, swimming, ship visits etc. The participants also learn about dealing with problems that arise during the operations of the marine devices.
Students aspiring to pursue a career in the maritime industry can apply for this 6-month training course. They are required to pass the 10th or 12th standard with science, mathematics and English as the compulsory subjects. This course is conducted twice a year, with batches commencing January and July each year. After successfully completing the course, students can join the merchant shipping in the Engine or Deck departments as Ordinary Seaman (OS) (trainee of GP rating). The working professional will be promoted to a higher rank when they complete the necessary qualifications and entrance exams.
Short Details of GP rating Course
Degree- It is a 6 months training course certificate.
Eligibility Criteria: Class 10th/12th certificate OR ITI Degree holders
GP rating Course Fees- Average Fee for the course could be 2.5lacs
Average Salary- 200$- 3500$ per month
Job Profiles- Students can be Trainee OS (Ordinary Seaman), trainee fitter, Able-bodied man, trainee oiler, trainee engine room cadet (for Diploma holders), Bosun, and Deck Officer /captain.
GP Rating Course Eligibility
General Purpose rating course is a six-month pre-sea training course that trains individuals to work in the Deck and Engine departments of merchant ships. The GP rating is a job-oriented programme. Students aspiring to pursue a career in the maritime industry must meet the standard eligibility requirements demanded by the universities and institutions for which they are applying. It is also required to clear the entrance exam if they are motivated to take admission in the renowned institutions and study this merchant navy course. Some of the essential eligibility requirements for the gp rating course are as-
Minimum Qualifications- (a) Aspirants are required to pass 10th or 12th Standard from a recognized institute with English, Science and Mathematics as the compulsory subjects. They must have been rewarded 40% aggregate marks in matriculation/intermediate examination and also 40% marks in the English Language. OR
(b) If Students have obtained a 2-year ITI degree with Fitter / Machinist / Mechanic / Welder / Turner from Govt. Approved Institute with at least 50% aggregate marks in final, they also can apply for this training course. Besides, students must obtain 40% marks in English at matriculation/intermediate examination.
Age Limit- (a) GP Rating Course Age Limit should be 17 and 1/2 to 25 years of age during the course commencement.
(b) Students having obtained a Diploma and Degree will not exceed 27 years of age.
(c) Participants from SC/ST category will have 30 years maximum age limit.
Medical Standards for the Course–
Fitness Certificate: The must be mentally and physically fit and capable of taking up maritime activities. They have to meet the norms laid by the Director-General of Shipping.
EyeSight & Hearing: The participants are required to be free from any eye disease, colour or night blindness problems; otherwise, they will be barred from pursuing this 6-month pre-sea training course. They also have to qualify for a full eyesight test conducted by the Director-General of Shipping approved medical doctor before being selected for the training course. More so, they must possess normal hearing & eyesight.
Admission Process to the GP Rating Program
Admission to the general-purpose rating program depends on the university’s entry procedures. The participants would have to be eligible first for the training course before admission. When the students meet all the basic education qualifications (intermediate/matriculation certificate with 40% aggregate marks), they can proceed further. One can pursue the course only after qualifying in the entrance exams they are applying for. In India, there are several universities/colleges that offer entry to the training course based on the valid rank or score in the entrance exams. In the written exam, questions are mostly asked from English, Science, Mathematics, and General Studies. There is no common entrance, but institutes conduct their entrance test to provide the training program.
To be able to get admission into the universities and institutions to pursue the pre-sea training course, one would have to clear the four phases of Exams. Details are being drawn below:-
(a) Phase I: In this phase, aspirants must obtain a valid rank or score set by the universities/colleges.
(b) Phase II: After clearing the entrance exam, aspirants will have appeared for Officer Intelligence Rating Test, Picture Perception and Discussion Test.
(c) Phase III: Many students are screened out in the above-mentioned phase, and those who qualify for phase II are eligible to go to appear for Phase III. In this phase, the students will have to certain test that includes Psychological Test, Personal Interview and Group Discussion.
(d) Phase IV: After completing phase III, students will have to appear for Stage IV. There will be a Special Medical Examination conducted by the Director-General of Shipping in this stage. If students make it in this phase will become eligible to pursue a training course.
Documents Mandatory during the Admission to the Course
(a) Passport
1) It is compulsory at the time of application.
2) Passport should have validation upto at least two years after completing the course.
3) Passport should have a surname and given name.
4) Passport should not bear “ECR REQUIRED” Endorsement.
5) Date of Birth and Name on passport and mark sheet should be matched.
(b) Final certificate of Covid-19 vaccination at the time of joining (The second dose must be taken one-month prior to commencement of course).
GP Rating Course Syllabus
The pre-sea training course is a 6-month programme that trains the students to deal with the task related to marine ships effectively. The course is a career-oriented job that entails several aspects of the seafaring profession, including appliances usage, physical drills, lifesaving fire fighting exercises, workshop training, rope and mast climbing, swimming, ship visits etc. During the course, the students stay in the colleges or universities they have to get admission. It lays a path to obtain a job in the exciting merchant maritime industry. As it is a training course, it provides students combined study of theoretical and practical aspects of generalship knowledge and marine engineering knowledge. The pre-sea training course syllabus is formulated in such a way to build a successful trainee to grab an opportunity in the Deck or Engineering Department. Some of the vital topics taught in the course frame are listed below:
(a) Students are taught an idea of the theory and practice of a ship’s compass & hints on steering.
(b) The participants are provided knowledge regarding tools, equipment & instruments commonly found on board ships during the training period.
(c) Under the course, they make aware of Handling of Ropes, Blocks, Tackles, and Rigging.
(d) Students are also given practical workshop training in Machine shop, Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, and Diesel Maintenance Shop & Hot work.
(e) A basic grounding in the ship’s routine, its operation, legislation and their related duties.
(f) The course syllabus builds a strong foundation in the principles of Accident Prevention, Pollution at Sea, Fire Fighting, Safety, and First Aid.
(g) Students are practically learning about handling a lifeboat and starting its diesel engine.
(h) Students also learn about basic engineering knowledge, maintenance and safe working practices in the training period.
Also, all Ratings must complete the following mandatory courses during the training period:
(a) Personal Survival Techniques, (PST)
(b) Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities. (PSSR)
(c) Oil Tanker Familiarisation (OTFC)
(d) Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting, (FPFF)
(e) Security Training for Seafarers with designated security duties
(f) Proficiency in Elementary First Aid, (EFA)
Physical training, parade and sports are part of the curriculum and are mandatory.
General Purpose Rating Course Fees
In India, there are numerous institutions and universities that provide a chance to pursue the pre-sea training course to the students. Since every institute has set up different criteria to provide access to the General Purpose course, they will have different fee structures. Several other factors are also considered on the fees to the programme. Some of them are the infrastructure of the institutions, location of the institutions, faculty provided by the universities/colleges, to mention a few. So, the candidates will pay the fee for the course according to the demand of the respective colleges. Although, the average fees structure of the GP Rating course ranges from Rs. 50k to 3Lacs for the entire course.
General Purpose Rating Jobs and Career prospects
Since it is a job-oriented course, the students can avail themselves of the job right after the completion of a 6-month training programme. The marine industry requires trained, qualified and competent individuals who can smoothly work in the Deck and Eng9neering departments. More so, the Course opens the door to grab an opportunity in both govt. and private enterprises such as Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Engine Production Firms, Shipping Companies, Turbo Mot India Pvt. Ltd., to name a few. This Course has been designed in such a way that provides enough skills and practical knowledge to work as a trainee fitter, trainee oiler, OS (Ordinary Seaman) etc. Moreover, the individuals will be responsible for several tasks related to Seamanship, Maintenance work on deck, Cargo handling, Operation and maintenance of Machinery. This Course ensured higher employability of the Indian mariners in the world market. Some of the jobs for the GP Rating course degree holders are:
(a) Trainee Fitter
(b) Ordinary Seaman
(c) Trainee Oiler
(d) Able-bodied man
(e) Trainee Engine Room Cadet (for Diploma Holders),
(f) Bosun,
(g) Deck Officer /captain.
GP Rating Course Salary
The students who have done the General Purpose Ratings training course will get a considerable salary package annually, depending upon the qualifications and skill set of the individuals. The Ordinary Seaman can earn 200$- 300$ (Rs 12000-18000) in the training period. After completing nine months as an Ordinary seaman, the participants will get Watch Keeping Certificate. It will improve the individuals rank to Able-bodied Seaman (AB), and they can earn 1000-1500$ salary per month. As they get experience and clear some entrance exams, they can hold the positions of Bosun and Officer. Their salary could be 2000-2500$ and 3000-3500$ per month accordingly.
General Purpose Rating Course Colleges in India
(1) Commander Ali’s Academy of M’ Navy (Hyderabad) Telangana
(2) Tamilnadu Maritime Academy (Thoothukudi) Tamil Nadu
(3) Sri Chakara Maritime College (Pondicherry) P’cherry
(4) Marine Training Academy (MTA) (Daman) Daman.
(5) Asha International Institute of Marine Technology – (Varanasi) Uttar Pradesh
(6) Trident College of Marine Technology – (near Kolkata) West Bengal.
(7) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Govt. Polytechnic, (Port Blair) (Andaman & Nicobar)
(8) Indus Seafarers Training Academy (Chennai) Tamil Nadu
(9) International Maritime Academy (Chennai) Tamil Nadu
(10) Arya Marine Academy (Raigard Dist, Mum- Pune Rd.) Maharashtra
(11) T Ship Rahaman Academy (N’Sheva, Raigarh Distt.) Maharashtra
(12) Marine Medical Clinic, Mumbai (Khardi) (Mum-Nashik Rd.) Maharashtra