Courses open to you
DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science)
You become: Deck officer
- You need
- Class 12 PCM with at least 60% average in PCM, and 50% in English.
- Age
- Up to 25 on the day the course starts
- Length
- 1 year at an institute, then about 18 months of sea training
- Fees
- ₹2.5–7 lakh for the whole course
SC and ST candidates get 5 more years, OBC (non-creamy layer) 3 more, and women a further 2.
B.Sc. Nautical Science
You become: Deck officer
- You need
- Class 12 PCM with at least 60% average in PCM, and 50% in English.
- Age
- Up to 25 on the day the course starts
- Length
- 3 years at an institute, then sea training
SC and ST candidates get 5 more years, OBC (non-creamy layer) 3 more, and women a further 2.
B.Tech Marine Engineering
You become: Marine engineer
- You need
- Class 12 PCM with at least 60% average in PCM, and 50% in English.
- Age
- Up to 25 on the day the course starts
- Length
- 4 years at an institute, with workshop and sea training
- Fees
- about ₹27 lakh at the one institute that publishes a full figure for the whole course
SC and ST candidates get 5 more years, OBC (non-creamy layer) 3 more, and women a further 2.
GP Rating course
You become: Deck or engine rating
- You need
- Class 10 terms apply (40% overall and in English).
- Age
- 17½ to 28
- Length
- 6 months
- Fees
- ₹2.2–4.9 lakh for the whole course
Not open from here
- The ETO (electro-technical officer) course also needs an electrical or electronics diploma or degree.
Before you pay any fees
- Check the institute is on the DG Shipping list of approved institutes.
- Get your eyesight and colour vision checked. See eyesight rules.
- Ask which shipping companies take the institute's students for sea training.
- Never pay an agent for a job or a seat. See warning signs of a fake agent.
Common questions
Do I need IMU-CET?
IMU-CET is the entrance test of the Indian Maritime University. It is needed for its degree courses and for DNS at most institutes. Shipping companies that sponsor cadets also run their own test and interview.
DNS or B.Sc. Nautical Science: which is better?
Both lead to the same first officer certificate. DNS is 1 year ashore, so you reach sea sooner and pay less. The B.Sc. gives a full degree after 3 years. Many families choose DNS with a company sponsorship.
What is a sponsorship?
A shipping company selects you before or during the course and promises you a training berth on its ships. Without one, finding your first ship can be hard. Ask every institute which companies sponsor its cadets.
Sources (checked 31 October 2026)
- DG Shipping Training Circular 12 of 2020 (pre-sea courses, entry rules and age relaxations) and DGS Order 12 of 2026
- Course fees: each institute's own website or prospectus. See course fees by institute.
This page is general guidance. The institute, the company and the approved doctor make the final decisions.