Frequently Asked Medical Questions
Eye / Eyesight
Eyesight Requirement (Deck Side)
 For deck officers, vision should be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other without glasses. Glasses or contact lenses are not allowed.
Eyesight Requirement (Engine Side)
Engine cadets can have up to ±2.5D refractive error in both eyes and can wear glasses.
Eyesight Requirement (ETO - Electro-Technical Officer)
ETO candidates must have at least 6/12 in both eyes with or without glasses. Color blindness is not allowed.
Eyesight Requirement (Galley / GP Rating)
 GP Rating, Catering, and Galley staff require at least 6/18 in both eyes, with or without glasses.
Color Blindness
Color blindness is a strict disqualification for deck and engine side jobs. However, some catering and galley roles may allow mild cases.
Specs or Glasses
 It depends on the role:
Deck Side: No glasses allowed.
Engine Side & ETO: Glasses allowed up to ±2.5D.
GP Rating/Galley: Glasses allowed within the vision limit.
LASIK or ICL Surgery
 Some companies accept LASIK if done at least 6 months before the medical test and with stable vision. However, some strict medical boards do not allow it.
-2.5 Eyesight
For engine side and ETO roles, as long as you wear glasses. Deck side candidates are not eligible.
Cataract in Eye
 Cataracts disqualify you unless successfully treated with no vision impairment.
Squint Eye
 A mild, non-disruptive squint may be accepted, but severe cases leading to vision problems can disqualify you.
Height & Weight
Height & Weight
The height requirement varies:
Others (Male): 157 cm
Others (Female): 152 cm
Hilly/North East (Male): 152 cm
Hilly/North East (Female): 147 cm
Acceptable BMI for Merchant Navy
A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered ideal.
Ears / Teeth / Tongue
Hearing Eligibility
 Candidates must have normal hearing ability, meaning they should be able to hear a whisper from a distance of at least 6 meters in both ears.
Hearing Aid
The use of hearing aids is not allowed. Candidates must have natural hearing without assistance.
Stuttering or Lisp
Mild cases might be accepted, but severe speech impediments that affect communication may lead to disqualification. Clear verbal communication is essential.
Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip
If fully treated and without speech impairment, candidates may be considered fit. However, severe cases affecting speech and eating may be a concern.
Chipped Teeth
A small chipped tooth does not disqualify you unless it affects chewing or speech.
Incomplete Set of Teeth
You must have at least 14 natural and properly aligned teeth. Missing front teeth or a weak bite may cause issues.
Braces on Teeth
Candidates with fixed braces are not eligible. However, once braces are removed and teeth are stable, you may qualify.
Deep Bite in Teeth
A mild deep bite is acceptable, but a severe deep bite affecting chewing may lead to rejection.
Capping in Teeth
Dental capping is allowed as long as you meet the 14 teeth eligibility criteria.
RCT Score
Your total teeth score (including RCT and normal teeth) must be at least 14. If you meet this requirement, RCT is not a problem.
Skin
skin diseases
Severe conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or vitiligo may lead to disqualification.
Sweaty Palms
You can join the Merchant Navy with hyperhidrosis if there’s no functional limitation. It is not a disqualifying condition.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is allowed in the Merchant Navy unless it is an extensive case of vitiligo as in this case, you may be rejected in the medical.
Eczema on Skin
If you have eczema, then you may have to face rejection in the medical.
It depends on the condition of the skin. If there is severe itchiness or redness on the skin, then you need to get it treated.
Fungal Infection
Fungal infections must be completely treated before joining the Merchant Navy.
Self-Harm Scars
Scars that are completely healed doesn’t pose any problem but you should be mentally fit to be eligible for the Merchant Navy.
Ephelides Marks
You can join the Merchant Navy with marks. They are not a disqualifying factor
Psoriasis
You need to get it treated only then you will be eligible to join the Merchant Navy.
Bone / Fracture / Deformity
Bone Fracture
If there is any kind of fracture that hampers your physical capability then you are unfit to join the Merchant Navy.
You have to wait for it to heal and then you can join the Merchant Navy.
Stomach & Liver
If fully healed and does not require medication.
Kidneys & Stones
History of kidney stones may disqualify.
Private Parts (Testicles, Breasts)
Undescended testicles are a disqualifying factor.
Legs & Foot
Flat feet can be a disqualifying factor.
Other Common Issues
Type 1 and uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes can be disqualifying.