Skip to main content
Ask NavyaAI · 24/7
National Admission Framework for Maritime Aspirants
Section 8 Organization
HBIMS-NAF&SA™ official seal HBIMS-NAF&SA™ National Admission Framework for Maritime Aspirants
Get the App Check Eligibility Apply Now
HBIMS-NAF&SA™

Merchant Navy Medical Fitness Calculator

Check Your Basic Medical Readiness Before DGMA Medical Examination

Every Merchant Navy aspirant must clear medical fitness requirements before pre-sea training and before joining a ship. This page helps you self-check key preparation areas such as height, weight, BMI, eyesight, colour vision, hearing and vaccination readiness before you appear before a DGMA / DG Shipping-approved Medical Examiner.

Through HBIMS-NAF&SA — National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance, candidates can understand their preliminary medical readiness before applying for Merchant Navy courses such as GP Rating, CCMC, DNS, B.Sc. Nautical Science, ETO, GME and B.Tech Marine Engineering.

Important

This calculator is only a preliminary self-check tool. It is not a medical examination, not a medical certificate and not a final fitness decision. Final medical fitness for Merchant Navy training or shipboard joining can be decided only by a DGMA / DG Shipping-approved Medical Examiner.

Open the Self-Check Tools Check Eligibility
Self-Check Tools

Check Height, Weight, BMI, Eyesight and Colour Vision

Use the tools below as screening indicators only. They do not replace an actual medical examination, but they help you identify basic readiness areas before your DGMA / DG Shipping medical.

BMI & Height Self-Check
Tool 1

BMI & Height Self-Check

Check your height, weight and BMI range before your Merchant Navy medical examination. A proportionate build and healthy body condition are important for shipboard duties, training discipline and physical readiness.

What this tool helps you understand:

  • Your current BMI category
  • Whether your weight may require attention
  • Whether you should start fitness correction before intake
  • Whether medical review may be advisable before applying
  • Whether you should discuss your result with the HBIMS-NAF&SA Student Desk
Check BMI Now
Colour Vision Screening
Tool 2

Colour Vision Screening

Colour vision is highly important in Merchant Navy, especially for deck-side and watchkeeping duties. Candidates should screen themselves early with an Ishihara-style colour vision self-check so possible concerns can be identified before the official medical examination.

What this tool helps you understand:

  • Whether you may have difficulty identifying colours
  • Whether deck-side course planning requires extra caution
  • Whether you should consult an approved medical examiner early
  • Whether you should avoid relying on verbal promises about medical clearance

Important note: This screening is not an official colour vision test. Final colour vision fitness can be decided only by an approved medical examiner using the required medical procedure.

Test Colour Vision
Yellow Fever Vaccination Finder
Tool 3

Yellow Fever Vaccination Finder

Some vessel routes, countries, ports or travel situations may require a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. Candidates should confirm requirements before travel, joining or documentation submission.

What this tool helps you understand:

  • Where Yellow Fever vaccination centres may be available
  • Why vaccination certificates may be required for certain routes
  • Why candidates should keep original certificates safe
  • Why vaccination readiness should be checked before joining instructions

Important note: Vaccination requirements may depend on destination, port, travel history, company instruction and current public health rules. Candidates should verify the latest requirement before travel or joining.

Find Centre
Merchant Navy Medical FAQs
Tool 4

Merchant Navy Medical FAQs

Understand common questions about eyesight, spectacles, colour vision, tattoos, BMI, hearing, dental fitness, vaccination, medical certificates and DGMA / DG Shipping-approved medical examination.

Read FAQs

Safe Result Language for Calculator Output

  • Likely suitable for preliminary screening
  • Medical review recommended
  • Weight management may be required before medical
  • Consult a DGMA / DG Shipping-approved Medical Examiner
  • Final fitness subject to approved medical examination

Avoid Do not show “fit” or “unfit” as a final result. The calculator should never say “You can join” or “You cannot join.”

Guidance

HBIMS-NAF&SA™ Medical Readiness Guidance

HBIMS-NAF&SA, also visible as HBIMS-NAF, HBIMS, NAF, NAF&SA, National Admission Framework, National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance, Humble Bee Institute of Marine Studies and Humble Bee Education Foundation, helps Merchant Navy aspirants understand medical readiness before they move forward with DGMA / DG Shipping-approved MTI admission pathways.

Medical fitness is one of the most important stages in the Merchant Navy journey. A candidate may be academically eligible and still require medical review before joining a course or shipboard pathway. That is why HBIMS-NAF&SA encourages every aspirant to check basic readiness early, prepare documents properly and avoid last-minute surprises.

This page is designed for preliminary awareness only. It helps candidates understand what may be checked, what should be reviewed early and when professional medical advice is required.

Why It Matters

Why Medical Fitness Matters in Merchant Navy

Merchant Navy is a professional seafaring career. A seafarer may work far from land, in changing weather, under strict safety procedures, and sometimes in physically demanding conditions. Medical fitness is therefore not a formality. It is a mandatory safety requirement for the candidate, the ship, the crew, the cargo and the marine environment.

  • A seafarer must be physically capable of shipboard duties.
  • Deck, engine, ETO, rating and catering roles may involve different physical demands.
  • Eyesight and colour vision are especially important for navigation and watchkeeping duties.
  • Hearing, balance, blood pressure, general health and stamina can affect shipboard safety.
  • Certain medical conditions may require treatment, monitoring or professional review before joining.
  • A valid medical certificate is required before shipboard engagement.
  • Medical documents must be genuine, current and issued by an approved examiner.

A candidate should not wait until the final admission or reporting stage to discover a medical concern. Early screening gives time for correction, professional advice and realistic planning.

The Examination

What DGMA / DG Shipping Medical Examination Checks

The Merchant Navy medical examination is conducted under the applicable Merchant Shipping medical framework and DGMA / DG Shipping medical standards. Exact requirements may vary by rank, department, course route and current rules. Deck-side roles are generally more sensitive to eyesight and colour vision because of navigation and watchkeeping responsibilities.

Height and Build

A candidate should have a proportionate build and physical readiness for shipboard duties. Height, weight and BMI are usually checked during medical examination. If BMI is high or low, the candidate may require medical review, fitness correction or professional advice.

  • Check height and weight early.
  • Calculate BMI before applying.
  • Start fitness correction before intake if required.
  • Avoid last-minute crash dieting or unsafe fitness methods.
  • Consult a medical professional if your BMI is outside the normal range.

Eyesight

Eyesight is one of the most important medical areas in Merchant Navy. Distance vision, near vision and corrected vision may be tested depending on the course and department. Deck-side candidates such as DNS and B.Sc. Nautical Science aspirants should be especially careful because navigation, watchkeeping and bridge duties require strong visual standards.

  • Get eyesight checked before applying.
  • Do not hide spectacles or previous eye issues.
  • Understand that deck and engine standards may differ.
  • Keep prescription details ready if spectacles are used.
  • Confirm final suitability only through an approved medical examiner.

Colour Vision

Colour vision is critical for many shipboard duties. Navigation lights, signal lights, safety markings, alarms, charts and operational indicators may require accurate colour recognition. Colour vision is commonly checked through Ishihara plates or approved testing methods.

  • Take a preliminary colour vision self-check early.
  • Do not rely on agents claiming colour vision can be “managed.”
  • If doubtful, consult an approved medical examiner before paying major fees.
  • Understand that colour vision issues may affect course selection.

Hearing

A seafarer must be able to hear instructions, alarms, emergency signals and shipboard communication clearly. Hearing may be checked through conversation, whisper test or audiometry where required.

  • Check hearing if you have past ear infections or hearing difficulty.
  • Avoid ignoring repeated ear pain or discharge.
  • Seek treatment before the medical examination.
  • Keep medical records ready if you have a past condition.

General Health

General medical examination may include heart, blood pressure, lungs, blood sugar, hernia, dental fitness, mental health, skin conditions, neurological history and overall physical condition.

  • Keep chronic conditions under medical control.
  • Carry prescription records if you take regular medication.
  • Do not hide past surgery or medical history.
  • Complete professional review early if you have a known condition.

Laboratory and Diagnostic Checks

Depending on age, course, route and examiner requirement, candidates may undergo laboratory and diagnostic checks such as blood test, urine test, chest X-ray, ECG or other investigations.

  • Follow instructions before blood or urine tests.
  • Carry identity documents and previous records.
  • Keep original reports safe.
  • Do not submit fake or altered reports.
Course-Wise

Course-Wise Medical Fitness Importance

CourseWhy Medical Fitness Matters
GP RatingPhysical stamina, BMI, eyesight, colour vision and general shipboard duty fitness are important because the candidate may work in deck or engine support duties.
CCMCGeneral health, hygiene, galley work fitness and shipboard living fitness matter because catering staff work in food preparation and crew-support areas.
DNSDeck-side eyesight and colour vision standards are highly important because DNS leads toward deck cadet and bridge watchkeeping duties.
B.Sc. Nautical ScienceThis is a deck officer pathway, so medical fitness, eyesight and colour vision are critical from the beginning.
ETOElectrical and technical shipboard duties require alertness, eyesight, hearing, physical fitness and safe equipment-handling ability.
GMEEngine-room duties require stamina, machinery-space fitness, heat tolerance, emergency-duty readiness and general health.
B.Tech Marine EngineeringEngineering officer pathway requires physical fitness for engine-room work, shipboard machinery areas and emergency response duties.
GP Rating CourseCCMC CourseDNS CourseB.Sc. Nautical ScienceETO CourseGME CourseB.Tech Marine Engineering
On the Day

What to Expect During Merchant Navy Medical Examination

The medical examination is designed to confirm whether the candidate is fit for sea service and training duties as per the applicable standards. The exact process may vary, but candidates should generally be prepared for the following checks.

  1. 1

    Measurements and General Examination

    The examiner may check height, weight, BMI, blood pressure and general physical condition. A head-to-toe physical review may be conducted to assess basic fitness for shipboard duties.

  2. 2

    Vision and Colour Vision Tests

    Distance vision, near vision and colour vision may be checked. Colour vision is especially important for deck and watchkeeping-related duties. Candidates with spectacles or past eye conditions should be honest and carry relevant details.

  3. 3

    Hearing Check

    The examiner may check whether the candidate can hear ordinary conversation, instructions and emergency signals. Whisper test or audiometry may be used where required.

  4. 4

    Laboratory and Diagnostic Checks

    Blood test, urine test, chest X-ray, ECG or other investigations may be required depending on the candidate’s route, age, medical history and applicable rules.

  5. 5

    Medical Certificate

    If the candidate is found fit, the approved examiner may issue a Medical Certificate of Physical Fitness. Candidates should keep the original certificate safe and ensure the details are accurate. The standard validity of a seafarer medical certificate is generally two years. Different validity may apply for candidates below 18 years or above 65 years, or as per applicable DGMA / DG Shipping rules.

If Review Is Needed

What Happens If You Require Medical Review?

A medical concern does not always mean the career is over. Some issues may be correctable, treatable or reviewable. For example, weight management, dental issues, missing vaccination records, uncontrolled blood pressure or incomplete documentation may sometimes be addressed before final medical clearance, subject to professional advice.

However, some conditions may affect eligibility seriously, especially where safety-sensitive duties are involved.

  • Do not panic.
  • Do not hide the issue.
  • Do not use fake medical documents.
  • Consult the approved medical examiner or qualified doctor.
  • Take treatment or correction where possible.
  • Re-check only through proper medical channels.
  • Inform the HBIMS-NAF&SA Student Desk for admission-timeline guidance.
Advisory

Do Not Trust Fake Medical Promises

Medical-fitness warning

Never trust anyone claiming that Merchant Navy medical fitness can be managed, arranged, guaranteed or bypassed. Medical fitness must be examined independently by a DGMA / DG Shipping-approved Medical Examiner. A false, invalid or manipulated medical certificate can damage the candidate’s admission journey and future seafaring career.

Avoid anyone who says:

  • “Medical ho jayega, tension mat lo.”
  • “Colour blindness manage ho jayega.”
  • “Certificate arrange kar denge.”
  • “Doctor fixed hai.”
  • “Fitness guarantee hai.”
  • “Without medical joining kara denge.”

These are dangerous statements. In Merchant Navy, medical fitness must be genuine, documented and issued only through the approved medical process.

Our Role

HBIMS-NAF&SA™ Medical Facilitation Process

HBIMS-NAF&SA™ supports candidates with medical-readiness guidance as part of the documented admission-support journey. The framework helps candidates understand what to prepare before medical examination and how medical readiness fits into course selection.

  • Preliminary medical awareness
  • BMI and colour vision self-check guidance
  • Course-wise medical requirement explanation
  • Parent counselling on medical importance
  • Document checklist support
  • Guidance on approved medical examination process
  • Timeline planning before intake
  • Medical certificate record guidance
  • Admission decision alignment after medical result

HBIMS-NAF&SA™ does not influence medical results. The final decision always belongs to the approved medical examiner.

Official App

Start Medical Fitness Screening Through the HBIMS Mobile App

Candidates can start their preliminary eligibility journey through the official HBIMS Mobile App — “HBIMS”. The app helps aspirants track their application stage, eligibility screening, counselling, medical guidance and document updates under HBIMS-NAF&SA — National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance.

  • Registration status
  • Eligibility screening
  • Counselling updates
  • Medical-readiness guidance
  • Document checklist
  • Course selection support
  • Seat mapping stage
  • Admission-stage updates
  • Student Desk communication
Get it onGoogle Play Download on theApp Store

Candidates should download only the official HBIMS Mobile App and avoid sharing documents, fees or personal details with unverified numbers.

Student Desk

Not Sure About Your Medical Readiness?

Run the BMI and colour vision self-checks first. Then connect with the HBIMS-NAF&SA™ Student Desk for documented guidance on your next step before applying for a Merchant Navy course.

Medical readiness should be checked early, especially if you are planning for:

GP Rating CourseCCMC CourseDNS CourseB.Sc. Nautical ScienceETO CourseGME CourseB.Tech Marine Engineering
Apply NowCheck EligibilityDownload HBIMS Mobile App
Explore

Related Pages

Merchant Navy Course Eligibility Why Merchant Navy Why HBIMS-NAF&SA DGMA Approved MTI Admission Guidance GP Rating Course CCMC Course DNS Course B.Sc. Nautical Science ETO Course GME Course B.Tech Marine Engineering

Preliminary awareness only

The tools and information on this page are only for preliminary awareness. They are not a medical examination and do not carry official medical standing. Final medical fitness for Merchant Navy training or shipboard joining can be decided only by a DGMA / DG Shipping-approved Medical Examiner. HBIMS-NAF&SA supports candidates with documented medical-readiness guidance but does not influence medical results, does not issue medical certificates and does not guarantee medical fitness.

Your Next Step

Your Merchant Navy medical readiness should be checked before admission pressure begins.

Apply NowCheck EligibilityDownload HBIMS Mobile App