GP Rating means General purpose Rating. GP Rating candidates are those who have been trained in both Deck and Engine Room tasks. Such ratings may be employed either in deck department or Engine department according to the needs of the company. They perform tasks related to Seamanship, Cargo handling, Maintenance work on deck, Operation and maintenance of Machinery. This Course ensured higher employability of the Indian seafarers in world market.
GP Rating is a six months residential course approved by D.G Shipping (Govt of India). GP Rating syllabus includes combined study of Deck and Engineering subjects. This course will cover all aspects of the seafaring profession (Deck and Engine), which also include swimming, physical drills, workshop training, rope and mast climbing, lifesaving appliances usage, fire fighting exercises and ship visits etc. After the training, external examinations is conducted by Board of Examination of Seafarers (BES) under D.G Shipping (Govt of India).
Students who successfully pass the examination (BES) are issued INDIAN CDC and are eligible for ship jobs around the world. The students can join ship as trainee OS (Ordinary Seaman) / trainee fitter / trainee oiler / trainee engine room cadet (for Diploma holders). The G.P.Rating candidate will be able to work in all seamanship activities on-board at deck side & as well as at Engine side. With further Sea-service, they will be promoted as, Able-Bodied Seamen / Engine Fitter, Bosun, etc.
They can also be promoted to officer Level with certain sea service (36 months) and qualification requirements. There are wide job opportunities for Indian Seamen all over the world.
Those candidates who want to pursue career in Merchant Navy as soon as passing 10 th Standard can join GP Rating course Or NCV Deck cadet Course. These courses help the candidates to pursue career in Merchant Navy and help in financial growth after 6 months of Pre-sea training.
There is no Common Entrance Test for GP Rating. But some institutes conduct their own test to select the candidates.
Eligibility (As per DGS Norms)
Educational qualifications:
10th Standard pass from government recognized board with subjects English, Mathematics and Science with 40% aggregate. English 40% in 10th / 12th.
or
or
Pass in 2 year ITI Course (Fitter / Machinist / Mechanic / Welder / Turner) approved by DVET / NCVT with minimum 40% aggregate marks in final year of ITI & minimum 40% in English in 10th / 12th.
Passport is mandatory.
Age limit:
Between 17 1/2 and 25 years (on commencement of course). Relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit over and above the age limit for admission to the pre-sea maritime course for the candidates belonging to SC/ST.
Note: 1. The maximum age limit for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) Category shall be relaxed by 5 years.
Medical Examination :
Selected candidates undergo a stringent medical examination with DG Approved Doctor.
Eyesight/Vision:
Use of corrective lenses for eyesight is permitted but the maximum permissible limits, at entry, are 6/6 in each eye . Color blindness is not permitted.
Mode of selection:
Written /Interview/ Medical examination.
GP Rating Salary:
In training period as an Ordinary seaman gets 200-300$(Rs 12000-18000), after 12 months of sea service as an Ordinary seaman candidate gets Watch keeping certificate then candidate gets promoted as Able bodied seaman(AB), salary 1100-1400$ .Further experience makes him Bosun, Salary(2000-2500$) and also Officer (3000-3500$) if candidate has required qualifications.