Merchant Navy - Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)
Last updated · Confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website before you apply.
Fast-track route to merchant navy deck officer roles. Sea-going pay is high and tax-advantaged for qualifying NRI seafarers, though the career involves extended periods away from home.
- Duration
- 1–1.5 years
- Entry after
- Class 12
- Indicative fee
- ₹150,000 – ₹1,500,000total, varies by institution
- Entrance exam
- IMU CET
- Study mode
- OnCampus
- Licence
- Certificate of Competency (CoC) from DG Shipping plus a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate and STCW certificates
Course overview
Fast-track route to merchant navy deck officer roles. Sea-going pay is high and tax-advantaged for qualifying NRI seafarers, though the career involves extended periods away from home.
Eligibility and admission
Who can apply. 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry, Maths, minimum 60%; medical and eyesight standards; age limits apply.
How you get in. IMU CET, Institute entrance, Shipping company sponsorship.
How it is studied. Full-time residential training; distance mode not applicable.
Licence to practise. Certificate of Competency (CoC) from DG Shipping plus a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate and STCW certificates.
Admission rules change every year. Confirm eligibility, the entrance test and the calendar against the current official notification.
Where this can lead
Where people work.
- International and Indian shipping companies
- Oil tanker and LNG operators
- Container shipping lines
- Offshore support vessels
- Port and marine services
What you can study next.
- Certificate of Competency examinations
- B.Sc Nautical Science
- MBA Shipping
- Marine surveying
Cost, duration and indicative earnings
Indicative total course fee. About 1,50,000 - 15,00,000 total depending on programme; company-sponsored candidates may pay substantially less.
Indicative starting salary. 60,000 - 200,000 (at sea) per month.
Typical duration. 1 year + 18 months sea training.
Fees and salaries here are indicative ranges, not quotes. Confirm the current fee with the institution and treat the salary as a starting range that varies by employer and location.
Who can apply
1 route into this course.
| Qualification | Stream | Minimum | Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 12 | Science - PCM | — | Physics, Chemistry, Maths, minimum 60% |
Percentages are indicative. Individual universities set their own cut-offs, and reserved-category relaxations differ by state and institution.
Entrance exams for this course
An exam mapping does not mean every college accepts that exam. Check the current institution and examination notification before you apply.
Careers this course leads to
1 route mapped from this qualification.
A course supports eligibility and preparation. It never guarantees a particular job.
Before and after this course
What you can study next
Common questions
Who can apply for Merchant Navy - Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)?
12th pass with Physics, Chemistry, Maths, minimum 60%; medical and eyesight standards; age limits apply. Admission is through IMU CET, Institute entrance, Shipping company sponsorship.
How long does Merchant Navy - Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) take?
1 year + 18 months sea training. Full-time residential training; distance mode not applicable.
What does Merchant Navy - Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) cost?
About 1,50,000 - 15,00,000 total depending on programme; company-sponsored candidates may pay substantially less. These are indicative ranges, not quotes. Confirm the current fee with the institution.
What can I study after Merchant Navy - Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)?
Certificate of Competency examinations, B.Sc Nautical Science, MBA Shipping, Marine surveying.
Does Merchant Navy - Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) need a licence or registration to practise?
Certificate of Competency (CoC) from DG Shipping plus a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate and STCW certificates.
Turn this into a decision you can defend
Compare the route, follow where it actually leads, and keep one alternative in view before you apply.