Careers after the Indian Navy

Leaving the Navy, or already out? This guide covers the Navy's placement agency, the route into the Merchant Navy, and the DGR help open to every sailor. Below it are VetNet's articles on the Navy's history and operations.

Facts checked against official sources on 4 Nov 2026

Indian Naval Placement Agency (INPA)

INPA is the Navy's placement agency and portal for naval veterans, widows and dependants. It signs agreements with employers to place Navy veterans; PIB has reported agreements with Flipkart (September 2021) and L&T Shipbuilding (May 2022). To register, look for INPA on the Indian Navy's website or ask your unit.

Source: PIB, Indian Naval Placement Agency, 2018; PIB, INPA and Flipkart MoU, 15 Sep 2021; PIB, INPA and L&T Shipbuilding MoU, 12 May 2022, checked 4 Nov 2026

Moving to the Merchant Navy

DG Shipping Order No. 17 of 20 June 2022 set out 16 schemes, agreed between the Navy and the Directorate General of Shipping, for Navy personnel to move to the Merchant Navy. According to PIB, they include:

  • Executive branch officers: certificates of competency as officer of the watch (500 GT and above), Chief Mate and Master.
  • Engine-room ratings and artificers: a path up to Chief Engineer (near-coastal, under 3000 kW).
  • Electrical branch: Electro-Technical Officer.
  • Radio operators: GMDSS operator.
  • Deck sailors: deck rating.

Source: PIB, Navy to Merchant Navy schemes, 2022, checked 4 Nov 2026

DGR and the Sainik Boards: help for every service

The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) serves all three services. It runs resettlement courses in your last 2 years of service, shares job vacancies, holds job fairs and runs self-employment schemes. Your Zila Sainik Board, where you settle, verifies DGR forms and sponsors JCOs and ORs for job assistance.

Source: DGR, About DGR; DGR, Job assistance, checked 4 Nov 2026

Describe your service in civilian words

Civilian recruiters may not know what your trade, branch or appointment involved. Write down what you were responsible for: people, equipment, budgets, safety, training or logistics. Then search for jobs by that work rather than by rank or trade name.

Indian Navy history on VetNet

Articles on the Indian Navy's history, units and operations. Each one links back to this guide.

All Indian Army, Navy and Air Force articles

Frequently asked questions

What is INPA?

The Indian Naval Placement Agency helps naval veterans, widows and dependants find jobs, through its portal and agreements with employers.

Can I join the Merchant Navy after the Indian Navy?

Yes. DG Shipping Order No. 17 of 2022 set out 16 schemes for Navy personnel to get Merchant Navy certificates, from officer of the watch and Master to Electro-Technical Officer and deck rating. Read the order on dgshipping.gov.in for eligibility.

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