🚢 Merchant Navy
PUC Science · after SSLC (Class 10)
Duration
DNS 1 Year · B.Tech Marine Engineering 4 Years
Entrance Exam
IMU CET
Degree
DNS / B.Sc Nautical Science / B.Tech Marine Engineering
Job Roles
6 mapped
Who can apply
Passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Maths, usually 60% in PCM and 50% in English. You must also pass a DG Shipping approved medical — including 6/6 eyesight and no colour blindness, which disqualifies some candidates regardless of marks.
The journey, step by step
SSLC through to leadership.
Your route
- Class 10SSLC
- PUC Science2 years
- DNS / B.Sc Nautical Science / B.Tech Marine EngineeringDNS 1 Year · B.Tech Marine Engineering 4 Years
- Deck Cadet to Third Officerfirst job
- 1Foundation · 1 Year🎓 SSLC — Class 10Finish Class 10. Your marks decide which colleges and subject combinations are open to you next.
- 2Stream Selection · 2 Years🔬 PUC — ScienceTwo years of pre-university study in the Science stream. This is where you prepare for the entrance exam.
- 3Entrance Exam · Exam year📝 IMU CETEntry to DNS / B.Sc Nautical Science / B.Tech Marine Engineering is through IMU CET. IMU CET is run by Indian Maritime University and leads to DNS, B.Sc Nautical Science and B.Tech Marine Engineering. Dates change every year — always confirm on the conducting authority's official portal.
- 4Degree · DNS 1 Year · B.Tech Marine Engineering 4 Years📘 DNS / B.Sc Nautical Science / B.Tech Marine EngineeringMerchant Navy: DNS 1 Year · B.Tech Marine Engineering 4 Years. You can specialise in Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Harbour & Logistics and more.
- 5First Job · After graduating💼 Deck Cadet to Third OfficerCommon starting roles include Deck Cadet to Third Officer, Marine Engineer, Chief Officer.
- 6Higher Studies · Optional🎯 Certificate of Competency examinationsYou can continue with Certificate of Competency examinations, M.Tech Marine Engineering, MBA Shipping & Logistics.
- 7Research · 3–5 Years for a PhD🔬 Naval architecture researchNaval architecture research · M.Tech and PhD in marine engineering · Maritime safety studies
- 8Government Route · Exam-based🏛️ Directorate General of Shipping postsDirectorate General of Shipping posts · Shipping Corporation of India · Port trust and maritime board roles · Indian Coast Guard technical entry
- 9Entrepreneurship · Any time🚀 Ship management or crewing agencyShip management or crewing agency · Marine surveying practice · Logistics business
- 10Leadership · Long term⭐ Captain of a vesselCaptain of a vessel · Chief Engineer · Fleet Manager · Port Director
Entrance exams & admission
IMU CET
Sit IMU CET at imu.edu.in, conducted by Indian Maritime University, covering Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English, general knowledge and aptitude. DNS is the fastest route to becoming a deck officer; B.Tech Marine Engineering is the engine-side route. Verify the college and course are approved by DG Shipping (dgshipping.gov.in) before paying any fee.
Check exam details and official portals →What it costs to get there
Indicative total tuition for the whole course in Karnataka
Government seat
₹6–9L
about ₹7.5L a year
Private / management seat
₹8–18L
about ₹13L a year
Tuition for the full course at IMU or a DG Shipping-approved academy — roughly ₹1.7–3L a year at IMU and more at private academies. Sponsorship by a shipping company can cover much of this.
Fees change every year and differ by college — confirm with the college before paying. Scholarships can cover much of this.
Job roles and salary ranges
Salary figures are indicative annual ranges, not guarantees.
What you can do next
- Certificate of Competency examinations
- M.Tech Marine Engineering
- MBA Shipping & Logistics
Any graduate can also go for: Defence Services via CDS · Chartered Accountancy · Banking & Finance · Cost & Management Accountancy (CMA) · Civil Services (IAS/IPS) · Law (LLB) · Teaching — B.Ed and D.El.Ed · Physical Education & Sports (BPES / B.P.Ed)
Research routes
- ›Naval architecture research
- ›M.Tech and PhD in marine engineering
- ›Maritime safety studies
Government jobs
- ›Directorate General of Shipping posts
- ›Shipping Corporation of India
- ›Port trust and maritime board roles
- ›Indian Coast Guard technical entry
Start your own
- ›Ship management or crewing agency
- ›Marine surveying practice
- ›Logistics business
Senior roles later
- ›Captain of a vessel
- ›Chief Engineer
- ›Fleet Manager
- ›Port Director
Specialisations
- ›Nautical Science
- ›Marine Engineering
- ›Naval Architecture
- ›Harbour & Logistics
Where it is taught
- ›Indian Maritime University Chennai
- ›IMU Kolkata
- ›Tolani Maritime Institute
- ›AMET University
Where these facts come from
Indian Maritime University conducts IMU CET; sea-going eligibility and medical standards are set by the Directorate General of Shipping
Find a college for this course
Explore the directory, then confirm eligibility, fees and available seats with the college.
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