If you have concerns about colour blindness (colour vision deficiency) and your eligibility for the Indian merchant navy, this detailed post explains standards and rules as per Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), IMU, and global conventions.
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**What is Colour Vision Deficiency?**
Colour vision deficiency (CVD, popularly known as colour blindness) is an inability to distinguish certain colours. Shipping careers set strict standards for colour vision for safety and operational reasons.
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**Merchant Navy Medical Standards (India): Official Requirements**
1. **Deck/Nautical Stream (Officers and Ratings):**
- As per DG Shipping Medical Examination Rules [DGS Crew Circular 1 of 2019], NORMAL colour vision is **mandatory** for all deck personnel (Deck Officers, Ratings, GP). The Ishihara test (38 plates, one mistake allowed) is used, and Lantern testing may be prescribed for borderline cases.
- Source: DG Shipping Crew Circular 1, 2019 — [dgshipping.gov.in/WriteReadData/News/201901311157328882010medicalexamrules.pdf](https://www.dgshipping.gov.in/WriteReadData/News/201901311157328882010medicalexamrules.pdf) [section 2, 3]
- **Failing colour vision test results in ineligibility for deck side seafaring careers per Indian and STCW/IMO regulations.**
2. **Engine Stream (Engineers, ETO):**
- DG Shipping and IMU require normal colour vision for all engineering/technical posts (ETO, MEO). No relaxation for partial deficiency.
3. **IMU CET & Course Admission:**
- IMU prospectus: "Candidates must have **normal colour vision** as tested by Ishihara charts."
- Reference: [IMU Prospectus 2024-25, Medical Standards, Page 25](https://www.imu.edu.in/images/IMU%20CET%20Prospectus%202024-25%20Final.pdf)
4. **International/IMO Rule:**
- STCW Code Table A-II/1 and A-III/1 require normal colour vision for all seafarers engaged in watchkeeping or safety duties.
- Official: [IMO STCW requirements, see also DGS Circular](https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/HumanElement/Pages/STCW-Convention.aspx)
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**Summary Table: Colour Vision for Merchant Navy Careers (India)**
| Stream | Required | Rule/Circular |
|--------------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Deck/Nautical | Normal Color Vision | DGS Crew Circular 1/2019, STCW/IMO |
| Engine/ETO | Normal Color Vision | DG Shipping Rule, IMU, STCW/IMO |
| GP Rating | Normal Color Vision | DGS Crew Circular 1/2019, STCW/IMO |
| Saloon/CCMC | Normal Color Vision | DGS Rules, IMU |
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**FAQ**
- Q: *Is there any relaxation for minor or partial colour blindness?*
- A: **No.** Indian and STCW/IMO rules do not allow colour vision relaxation for any merchant navy course or rank, including GP Rating, Deck Officer, ETO, and MEO.
- Q: *What if I want to work in shipping but have colour vision deficiency?*
- A: You may explore shore-based careers in shipping companies, port offices, or marine IT, but not as a seafarer under DGS/IMO medical requirements.
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**Citations:**
1. DG Shipping Crew Circular 1/2019: [dgshipping.gov.in/WriteReadData/News/201901311157328882010medicalexamrules.pdf](https://www.dgshipping.gov.in/WriteReadData/News/201901311157328882010medicalexamrules.pdf)
2. IMU Prospectus 2024-25: [imu.edu.in/images/IMU%20CET%20Prospectus%202024-25%20Final.pdf](https://www.imu.edu.in/images/IMU%20CET%20Prospectus%202024-25%20Final.pdf)
3. IMO STCW Requirements: [imo.org/en/OurWork/HumanElement/Pages/STCW-Convention.aspx](https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/HumanElement/Pages/STCW-Convention.aspx)
*This post contains only official citations for medical eligibility.*
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