Promotions in Merchant Navy: Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India, takes care of the training needs and conducts competency exam through the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). 'Certificates of Competency' awarded by the DGS, is needed for promotion to the various respective classes.

Deck Department: A candidate joining as Deck cadet after finishing his bachelors in Nautical Science or through direct entry, is eligible to appear for his Second Officer/ Second Mate FG - Foreign Going Examination after 36 months of sailing. Lal Bahadur Shastry Nautical College, Mumbai which gives training for Second Officers Exam has made college attendance of 6 months compulsory to appear for the exam. Besides physics and Mathematics a student is tested in Ship stability and Construction, Meteorology, Principles and Practical navigation, Chart work; written as well as oral and the cadets knowledge of seamanship.

After completing 18 months of sailing time the third officer can appear for the Chief Officer/ First Mate Foreign Going Examination. Here again the candidate is required to attend 6 months classes in Lal Bahadur Shastry Nautical College, Mumbai. A further period of 18 months sailing time is required before a candidate can appear for Masters foreign Going Exam. The process of rising from a deck cadet to the master of a ship will take a minimum of at least 12 years.

Engineering Department: A candidate joining as Engine cadet/ Fifth Engineer officer/ Junior Engineer after finishing Bachelors in Marine Engineering is eligible to appear for class IV examination for promotion to the fourth Engineer or in some cases as Third Engineer. After completing further 18 months of sea time of which minimum 12 months is propelling time the candidate can appear for class II examination for promotion to Third Engineer or Second Engineer. Again on completion of 18 months sailing time candidate can appear for Class I examination for promotion to chief Engineer officer.