SCI DNS Course Fees
One of the most famous companies in India’s maritime industry is the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), and it operates the Maritime Training Institute (MTI), Powai, Mumbai, which offers the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) that eventually leads to B.Sc. Nautical Science.
As far as the candidates who are willing to join the merchant navy after completing Class 12, the fees play an important role here. However, there are other aspects such as eligibility, IMU-CET eligibility criteria, medical fitness, duration of the course, and additional expenses as well that should not be overlooked.
In the case of the DNS batch of August 2026, SCI’s admission information shows 40 seats and mentions different course fee amounts for males and females.
SCI DNS Course Fees 2026
According to SCI’s official Maritime Training Institute admission page, the course fee for the August 2026 DNS batch is ₹7,00,000 for male candidates. The page lists the female candidate fee as ₹6,10,000 and notes that it is being revised.
In addition to the course fee, an IMU fee of ₹40,000 is applicable separately as specified in SCI’s official DNS course information.
Candidate | SCI DNS Course Fee |
Male | ₹7,00,000 |
Female | ₹6,10,000* |
IMU Fee | ₹40,000 separately |
Students should always confirm the final payable amount with SCI before making payment, particularly where the institute has marked a fee as subject to revision.
What Does the SCI DNS Fee Cover?
SCI publishes the course fee for its DNS program, but students should distinguish the SCI course fee from charges payable separately, such as the IMU fee.
The ₹40,000 IMU fee should therefore not simply be added to the SCI course fee and described as one single SCI fee.
Before admission, candidates should check the latest official payment instructions to understand which charges are payable to SCI and which are payable separately.
SCI DNS Hostel and Residential Facilities
DNS is a residential maritime training program. SCI’s official FAQ states that the DNS course is compulsorily residential.
SCI’s Maritime Training Institute is located at Powai, Mumbai, and the institute provides residential facilities for students. SCI’s official FAQ also mentions a separate hostel facility for girls.
Students should check the latest hostel-related instructions and charges applicable to their admission batch rather than assuming that accommodation is included in the published course fee.
Additional Expenses for SCI DNS
The published SCI course fee should not automatically be treated as covering every expense that a student may incur during the complete DNS-to-sea-training process.
Candidates may have other expenses related to:
- IMU fees
- Medical examination
- Documentation
- Passport and other personal documents
- Travel
- CDC-related requirements
- Other mandatory maritime requirements, wherever applicable
The exact amount can depend on the student’s circumstances and the applicable admission batch. Students should therefore confirm the current payment instructions with SCI before budgeting for admission.
SCI DNS Eligibility Criteria
Students who want to apply for SCI DNS should first check whether they meet the prescribed academic, age, and medical requirements.
SCI’s official DNS admission information provides specific eligibility requirements for candidates applying to the program.
Educational Qualification
For candidates applying after Class 12, the key academic requirement is:
- Minimum 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) in Class 12
- Minimum 50% marks in English
The English requirement is applicable at the prescribed qualifying level mentioned by SCI.
For students currently completing Class 12 with PCM, these are the most important academic figures to keep in mind while planning for SCI DNS admission.
SC/ST Relaxation
SCI provides relaxation in the educational qualification for eligible SC/ST candidates.
The official admission information specifies a 5% relaxation in educational qualification marks for SC/ST candidates. However, the English requirement does not receive this relaxation.
Candidates belonging to reserved categories should check the current admission notification for the exact conditions applicable to their category.
Age Limit
SCI specifies a maximum age of 25 years on the date of admission for the DNS program.
The official eligibility information also provides age relaxations for eligible categories:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC-NCL: 3 years
- Female candidates: 2 years
Candidates should calculate their age according to the date specified by SCI for the particular admission batch.
Medical Fitness
Medical fitness is a mandatory part of entering a seafaring career.
Candidates must meet the applicable Directorate General of Shipping medical standards and undergo the required medical examination through a DGS-approved medical practitioner.
Students should complete the medical process before committing to the course because meeting the academic criteria alone does not guarantee medical fitness for sea service.
Marital Status
SCI’s DNS eligibility information specifies that candidates applying for the program must be unmarried. Candidates should check the latest admission notification for any changes to this condition.
Table of Contents
Is IMU-CET required for SCI DNS?
Yes. IMU-CET is required for SCI DNS admission.
SCI’s official 2026 DNS admission information states that candidates must be qualified in IMU-CET 2026 for the program. Therefore, students planning to join SCI’s DNS course should prepare for IMU-CET alongside their Class 12 PCM studies.
Is Sponsorship Required for SCI DNS?
Candidates should distinguish between SCI’s DNS admission process and sponsorship-based DNS admissions offered by other maritime institutes.
For the SCI DNS admission information considered here, the key stated requirements include meeting the academic and medical criteria and qualifying in IMU-CET 2026.
Students should follow the current SCI admission notification rather than assuming that the sponsorship rules of another DNS institute automatically apply to SCI.
SCI DNS Admission Process
The admission process requires candidates to meet the prescribed eligibility requirements and complete the application process within the specified dates.
For the August 2026 batch, SCI’s official information specifies the requirement of IMU-CET qualification.
A student should broadly prepare for the following stages:
- Complete Class 12 with the required PCM and English marks.
- Meet the prescribed age criteria.
- Qualify in IMU-CET.
- Complete the SCI application process.
- Meet the required medical standards.
- Submit the required documents.
- Complete the admission and fee formalities.
The exact procedure, dates, and documents can change between admission cycles, so candidates should follow the latest SCI notification.
SCI DNS Course Duration
The DNS program at SCI’s Maritime Training Institute consists of 12 months of pre-sea training, followed by 18 months of shipboard training on SCI vessels as stated in SCI’s official course information.
This makes the program different from simply completing a one-year classroom course. Students also need to complete the required seagoing training and subsequent academic and regulatory requirements to progress in the deck department.
SCI Maritime Training Institute
SCI’s Maritime Training Institute is located in Powai, Mumbai, and operates under the Shipping Corporation of India.
The institute provides maritime training programs and is affiliated with Indian Maritime University (IMU) for the DNS program. SCI’s official information also states that MTI has an A-1 (Outstanding) rating under the Directorate General of Shipping’s Comprehensive Inspection Program.
For students comparing DNS institutes, these affiliation and regulatory details are worth checking alongside the course fee.
Prepare Better for SCI DNS with JMDI Academy
Preparation for the exam for entry into maritime institutes involves more than just knowing the syllabus. There is a need for consistent practice and revision as well as familiarity with the process of admission.
The JMDI Academy can help students who are preparing for IMU-CET as well as other sponsorship exams with its guidance and preparatory material. With a proper plan, the students can brush up on their basic knowledge of PCM and solve questions similar to those asked in the entrance exams.
This early preparation is especially beneficial for Class 12 students since it helps them prepare for both board exams and maritime entrance exams simultaneously.
Prepare with Merchant Navy Decoded App
Merchant Navy Decoded App is a maritime education and preparation platform for students interested in Merchant Navy careers. Its official platform provides resources such as an IMU-CET preparation book, IMU-CET test series, and IMU-CET & Sponsorship Guidance Series.
Students preparing for SCI, DNS, and other maritime entrance examinations can use regular mock-test practice to become more comfortable with timed examinations, identify weaker areas, and improve their preparation routine.
FAQ’s (Frequently asked Questions)
For the August 2026 DNS batch, SCI lists a course fee of ₹7,00,000 for male candidates and ₹6,10,000 for female candidates, with the female fee currently marked as being revised.
No. SCI’s official information lists the ₹40,000 IMU fee separately, so it should not be described as part of the SCI course fee.
Candidates applying through the Class 12 route need at least 60% marks in Physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
Candidates need at least 50% marks in English at the qualifying level specified by SCI.
The maximum age is 25 years on the date of admission, with specified relaxations for eligible SC/ST, OBC-NCL, and female candidates.
Yes. Candidates seeking admission to the 2026 DNS batch must be qualified in IMU-CET 2026.
Yes. SCI’s official FAQ states that DNS is a compulsorily residential course.
Yes. Candidates must meet the applicable DGS medical standards and undergo the required examination through a DGS-approved medical practitioner.
Refer official SCI sources for further queries.