Is There a Reservation for Children of Merchant Navy Officers?

Yes. The Government of Maharashtra runs a dedicated Merchant Navy category, listed on the official portal as Children of Seafarers. It allows the children of registered Indian seafarers to apply to professional courses across Maharashtra without sitting the MHT-CET. Admissions are handled through the single-window portal at fn.mahacet.org, the same platform used by Foreign National, NRI, OCI, PIO and CIWGC applicants.

The core condition is straightforward: the parent must be a registered seafarer holding a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) along with a verifiable employment record. The category exists to recognise the unique working life of seafaring families, where a parent is often at sea for long stretches of the year.

Who Qualifies, and Who Does Not

Eligibility rests on the parent's status as a registered merchant seafarer. A common point of confusion is offshore work, so it is worth being clear about the boundary before you register.

This distinction matters. Offshore rig and oil-platform workers do not fall under the Merchant Navy category, even though the work is at sea. If your parent works offshore rather than aboard a merchant vessel, check the other categories on the category checker to find the right pathway.

Documents You Will Need

The Merchant Navy category has its own checklist. Most of it concerns proving your parent's seafarer status, so gather these early to avoid delays during verification.

How to Apply for 2026-27

The process is fully online and mirrors the standard six-step flow used across all international categories. Register at fn.mahacet.org, select the Merchant Navy (Children of Seafarers) category, choose your course, and upload your documents. The total fee is USD $1,200, made up of a USD $50 eligibility fee and a one-time USD $1,150 processing fee, payable online. College tuition is paid separately to the allotted college.

Because international and Merchant Navy candidates are exempt from the MHT-CET, your admission rests on your qualifications and verified documents rather than an entrance exam. Once verified, you receive your eligibility letter and proceed to college allocation. The portal covers more than 50 professional programmes, from BE and B.Tech to MBBS, Pharmacy, Architecture, Law and management courses, across 200 plus colleges in Maharashtra.

A quick tip: the most common reason an application stalls is an incomplete seafarer record. Confirm that the INDOS number on the DG Shipping service record and the RPSL number on the employment letter both match your parent's CDC before you submit, and keep clear scans of every page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my parent need to be currently sailing?

What matters is a valid CDC and a documented employment record through a licensed RPSL agency. Keep the DG Shipping service record with the INDOS number ready, as this is the main proof of seafarer status.

My parent works on an oil rig. Can we still apply?

Not under the Merchant Navy category. Offshore rig and oil-platform workers are specifically excluded. Use the category checker to identify the correct category for your situation.

Do I have to take the MHT-CET?

No. International and Merchant Navy category candidates are exempt from the MHT-CET and are admitted directly through the portal after document verification.

What does the application cost, and which courses can I choose?

The one-time fee is USD $1,200, paid online, and it is not refundable. College tuition is separate and paid to your allotted college. You can apply to engineering, medical, pharmacy, management, law and several other professional programmes through the same single application at fn.mahacet.org.