Start a career in the Merchant Navy 2025 with high salary, global travel, and tax-free income. Open to 12th PCM students, pathways include DNS, BSc Nautical Science, and B.Tech Marine Engineering. Verified as per IMU-CET and DG Shipping norms. Trusted by 5,000+ cadets. Your journey to becoming a Navigating or Engineering Officer begins here with imumate.in.
This guide is curated by imumate.in , a trusted IMU-CET coaching platform with 1,000+ cadets trained. All eligibility, course details, and career paths are cross-checked with official sources to ensure accuracy for 2025 and 2026 admissions.
Navigating Officer
Navigating Officers or Deck Officers are responsible for safe navigation of the vessel, safety of life & cargo and prevention of marine pollution.
There are two applicable courses to join as a Navigating Officer:
- Diploma in Nautical Science leading to BSc. Nautical Science is a one-year degree course before joining the vessel of 18 months followed by a few courses and oral examination to be awarded with a degree of Bachelors in Applied Nautical Science. Further, the cadet can join a vessel as a 3rd Officer.
- Bachelors in Nautical Science is a three-years degree course after which a degree of Bachelors in Nautical Science is awarded. Once the course is complete, the cadet has to complete a sea-time of 12 months. Furthermore, he must appear for some exams and orals to join a vessel as a 3rd Officer.
Comparison Table: DNS vs BSc Nautical Science: Which is Better?
| Feature | DNS | BSc Nautical Science |
|---|---|---|
| Duration to 3rd Officer | ~5 years | ~5 years |
| Sea Time | 18 months | 12 months |
| Academic Load | 1 year | 3 years |
| Early Practical Exposure | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Preferred By Recruiters | ✅ Yes | ❌ Less |
Both DNS and BSc. NS. courses lead to 3rd officer in/around 5-5.5 years. DNS is preferable over BSc. Nautical Science for various reasons.
To be eligible in DNS/BSc. Nautical Science, the minimum qualification is same as the qualification of IMU-CET. IMU-CET is mandatory for admission in both the course s. If any institutes promise for admission without IMU-CET, one must recheck the authenticity of the institute as they may spoil their carrier before even it starts.
Pro Tip: DNS is preferred by 78% of cadets in 2025 due to early sea time and lower academic load [web:58][web:64]. Always choose DG Shipping-approved institutes only.
Navigating Officer Minimum Eligibility 2025
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 12th PCM | ≥60% |
| English (10th or 12th) | ≥50% |
| Age | ≥17 years before course starts |
| Passport | Valid passport in hand |
| Vision | 6/6 (20/20) in both eyes, without aids |
| LASIK/Contura | Allowed (6+ months before medical) |
| Colour Vision | No colour blindness |
| IMU-CET | Mandatory |
P.S. If 12th result is obtained after improvement examination, the board should be same as of the 1st time.
Engineering Officers
Engineering Officers are responsible for ensure that the vessel’s engine, complex machineries, and power supply is in good condition for the voyage.
The following are the ways to join as an Engineering officer:
B.Tech. Marine Engineering: B.Tech. ME is a under graduate course offered by Indian Maritime University and other Maritime university like AMET which is a four-year engineering course to join as a Trainer Marine Engineer (TME).
There are a few companies like ESM, MSC, MAERSK, V-Ships, etc. which gives sponsorship and thus is preferable. If one joins any institute without sponsorship, he/she should ensure that the placement rate of the institute is good. Without sponsorship, one must prefer colleges like, Tolani Maritime Institute, International Maritime Institute & IMU Kolkata.
Engineering Officers Minimum Eligibility 2025
- IMU-CET QUALIFIED
- 12th PCM % >= 60
- 10th or 12th English % >= 50
- Age before commencement of course >= 17
- Valid Passport in-hand before course commencement
- Vision Should be 6/6 without aids. Vision correction methods like Contura Vision and LASIK is allowed. Colour Blindness is not permitted.
P.S. If 12th result is obtained after improvement examination, the board should be same as of the 1st time.
B.Tech. Marine Engineering (Lateral Entry in 2nd Year):
While doing B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from any recognized engineering college, if anyone feels to change the stream to B.Tech. Marine, they can easily do so without appearing for IMU-CET. Colleges like Tolani Maritime Institute, International Maritime Institute & IMU Kolkata releases their application for the same. It is same as B.Tech. in Marine Engineering and can be considered as a wild card entry.
Graduate in Marine Engineering (GME):
GME is a one-year pre sea training course approved by DG of Shipping. The course consists of an 8-month long class room (pre-sea) training and a 4 month long onboard training where the cadet is entitled to stipend, free boarding, and lodging. For being eligible for GME course, a candidate must complete his b.tech. in Mechanical Engineering from a UGC recognised university.
Colleges like Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy, Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies, Seven Islands Institute of Maritime Studies, etc. which provides pre-sea training in their institute and sends the candidate for onboard training in their company vessel. Some college like International Maritime Academy, Tolani Maritime Institute does not have their own company and thus invites company for placements during the pre-sea training.
Avoid Fraud Institutes: Any college promising admission without IMU-CET is fake. Verify all claims at imu.ac.in or call DG Shipping Helpline: 011-24364300.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: No. IMU-CET is mandatory for DNS, BSc NS, and B.Tech ME courses in 2025 [web:59][web:64].
A: Yes, LASIK and Contura Vision are accepted if done 6+ months before medical exams and with full recovery [web:59][web:63].
A: DNS is better due to early sea exposure, lower cost, and faster career start [web:58][web:64].
A: Yes, via GME course or lateral entry into B.Tech Marine Engineering [web:64][web:65].
