The Navy is not a Job; It’s a way of life – An Electrical

Engineer, Indian Navy Submarine

JULY 22, 2018

Insights
1. 42,000 per month as starting salary, free school, free accommodation, everything
else subsidized. On top of all these, an adventurous job!
2. Staying fit, ability to survive in harsh conditions, the risk to life and staying away from
family for long durations are some of the major challenges in this profession.
3. Please remember that candidates who study in foreign universities aren’t eligible to
apply for the Indian Navy.
4. As there are hundreds of professions to choose from, today the selection of
profession is the very first step towards career planning.
 5. A Navy man must mentally prepare himself to be available for service at any time.

Personal Details
Name – Confidential
Profession – Electrical Engineer, Indian Navy Submarine
Age – 38 years
Gender – Male
City – New Delhi
Industry – Indian Navy

Where have you been born and raised?

I was born and brought up at Cement Nagar, Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. I belong to
a middle (service) class family.

Who all had the most influence on you and how?

My father and mother are my mentors. They have groomed me to be a good human being
and supported me in all my endeavors.

Please give us a summary of your career.

I completed my graduation in Engineering in the field of Electronics and Communication
from Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College, Aurangabad in 2003.
I got commissioned in the Indian Navy in 2004 in the Electrical Branch as General Service
Cadre Officer. Post completion of my Specialisation Training, I volunteered for the elite
Submarine Arm of the Indian Navy.

Which institutes are best for the education/training to get into

Indian Navy?
India offers some good universities which provide good training, education, and skill
required for this field.
To work as an Electrical Engineer on a submarine, you are required to undertake a course
called “MARINE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING”. ​Tolani Maritime University​ offers this
particular course.
Some other universities which top the list are ​Vels Academy of Maritime Studies (Chennai)​,
IMU Vizag​, ​Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy (Mumbai)​.
Very good Universities in the world are ​Massachusetts Maritime Academy​, ​California
Maritime Academy​, and ​United States Merchant Marine Academy​.
Please remember that candidates who study in foreign universities aren’t eligible to apply
for the Indian Navy.
The way to enter this profession is by clearing the ​CDS exam​ conducted by UPSC.

What are the costs associated with the education/training of this

profession?
The fee structure of the government institutions and the private institutes vary considerably.
The government institutions charge nearly 2.5 lakh rupees per annum. The cost associated
with the private institutions is around 4.5 lakhs INR per annum.

What are the typical entry-level jobs in Indian Navy?

After completing Marine Electrical Engineering, the person must start his career as an
officer in the rank of Sub Lieutenant. They then undergo Naval Orientation Course at the
Indian Naval Academy followed by some other professional training to improve their cadre.
For entry into Indian Navy as an Electrical Engineer, the candidates must possess at least
60% marks in BE/B Tech from a recognized university in one of the following streams —
Electrical, Electronics, TeleCommunication or any other allied discipline.

What is the range of remuneration one can expect when starting

out in Indian Navy?
Apart from fixed salaries, Defence people enjoy some rare benefits like tax-free goods,
reservation in professional and government colleges and incentives for gallantry awards.
The salary range for an average Navy person:
5 years of experience — 50,000 to 70,000 INR per month
10 years of experience — 90,000 to 1,20,000 INR per month
15 years of experience — 1,50,000 to 2,00,000 INR per month
20+ years of experience — 2,20,000 to 2,50,000 INR per month

Please describe your work.

As it is said “The Navy is not a job, it’s not a career. It’s a way of life”
A far cry from duty ashore, challenges and responsibilities are the hallmark of life at sea. At
sea, the Captain leads his team of officers and sailors. Ships have specialist sensor
operators, guided missiles, homing torpedoes, complex machinery and state-of-the-art
communication networks etc. Work on board ships is divided amongst teams that do
different kinds of jobs. They could be involved in the operation of various equipment, such
as radars, sonars or communications, or firing of weapons such as missiles, guns, or
rockets. Modern ships, submarines, and aircraft of the Indian Navy are highly sophisticated
and technologically advanced platforms. Personnel goes through training in the art of
seamanship, operating weapons and sensors, look-out duties, boat-work, and
man-management. It is, therefore, the duty of the Officers to plan, manage and ensure day
to day activities as well as forecast necessary requirements.

What are some of the positives, which would encourage

someone to consider a career in Indian Navy?
1. Private companies do not offer job security. But the India Navy gives rock solid job
security irrespective of economic swings.
2. You get facilities like free schools, accommodation, and quota in reputed universities
and also in defense examinations.
3. Considering all the benefits, the pay is decent. A fresh graduate gets a pay of 42000
INR per month, which is quite good.
 4. The most important positive is “Respect”. Respect can only be earned and by
dedicating yourself to the armed forces the task becomes easier.

What are some of the challenges that you would want someone
to be aware of when considering a career in Indian Navy?
1. The aspirants who want to join the Indian Navy must be mentally determined to
serve the country at all times irrespective of his personal problems, family issues etc.
2. Staying fit is very important for an aspirant who joins the armed forces. An unfit
person cannot stay offshore for a long period of time.
3. Adaptability: Navy ships and submarines always patrol the Indian Ocean. So the
food supplies will be limited and one should adjust by adapting to those conditions.
4. There’s no life guarantee, serving the country is not a child’s play. Anything can
happen at any time. So the Navy is only for the ones who are brave enough to give
up their life for the country. Hence the person willing to join the Navy must be
lion-hearted.

What are the relevant trends/skills/technologies that are currently

commanding a premium in your job profile?
You must be aware of the latest technologies, types of equipment that the Indian Navy is
deploying. So, whenever you get a chance to get trained on new things, you must focus all
your energies on learning.

What kind of person would be happy in Indian Navy?

As compared to other professions in the civilian world, the Indian Navy has a great deal to
offer to young men and women. A far cry from duty ashore. For one thing, while at sea, you
will be putting all your skills and determination to the actual test. You will be given
responsibility and will be doing an important job for which you have been uniquely trained.
For a person who is willing to take up a challenging task, positive in attitude and never say
die attitude, Navy is probably one of the best professions.
Given another choice, what would you do differently as far as
your professional selections are concerned? Would you pursue
another profession or a passion perhaps?
I had always dreamt of joining the armed forces since my childhood. So the thought of
selecting other profession has never crossed my mind. However, if I were told to select any
other profession, I would have opted for teaching.

What would be your advice to students or professionals who are

just starting their journey on a path similar to yours?
Selection of your choice of profession is the very first step towards career planning. Once
you have decided your choice, you need to break it down into small achievable short-term
goals and then put focused effort for achieving them.
​ ur conversation with an Indian Naval Officer.
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Contributing Writer - ​Vivek Daddala

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