Tolani Maritime Institute DNS Fees
If you have decided to join the merchant navy through the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) path, training costs are likely one of your first concerns. Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI) of Pune is amongst those institutions that provide a one-year residential DNS program approved by the Indian Maritime University (IMU).
TMI has released the fee structure for the August 2026 DNS batch. This structure not only provides information on the fee but also on the admission and eligibility criteria as well. When you compare DNS colleges, it is always advisable to go beyond the stated figure. The stated figure of TMI includes the tuition fee, campus establishment charge, and other charges.
TMI DNS Fees 2026 at a Glance
Particular | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
Payable to TMI | ₹6,38,000 | ₹5,33,465 |
IMU Registration | ₹40,000 | ₹40,000 |
Total TMI + IMU | ₹6,78,000 | ₹5,73,465 |
Course duration | 1 year | 1 year |
Programme type | Residential | Residential |
These figures are for the DNS batch commencing August 2026. The IMU registration fee is paid directly to IMU through its portal. TMI also states that examination fees are separate.
TMI DNS Fees for Male Candidates
In the case of the August 2026 batch, the fee payable to TMI from a male candidate amounts to ₹6,38,000. An additional amount of ₹40,000 is payable to IMU, making it a total of ₹6,78,000. In the 2026 prospectus of TMI, the one-year DNS program fee for a male candidate is ₹6.78 lakh.
The fee structure of TMI consists of several components rather than a single tuition fee.
The student-services component includes mess, laundry, uniforms, and books, according to TMI’s published fee structure.
TMI DNS Fees for Female Candidates
Female candidates do not pay the same tuition fee as male candidates. As per TMI’s DNS prospectus for 2026, female candidates qualify for 50% relaxation in the tuition fee.
As per TMI’s detailed fee schedule for 2026, a female candidate has to pay ₹5,33,465 to TMI and ₹40,000 to IMU, which is a total of ₹5,73,465. The reduction is applied to the tuition component. TMI’s published table shows the other major components separately.
What Is Included in TMI DNS Fees?
Students can be misled with regard to the DNS fees charged by TMI because the fees do not only include the tuition fee.
Some of the fees are:
- Admission and Orientation Fees
- Tuition Fees
- Campus & Establishment Fees
- Student Services
- DGS Cess
- Refundable Caution Deposit
- IMU Registration Fee
In the student services, the fees include mess, laundry, uniforms, and books. The prospectus for TMI in 2026 states that the total male fees include some of the following: IMU registration fees, tuition fees, boarding/lodging fees, and uniform fees.
Therefore, when comparing TMI with the DNS institutes, always ensure you know what has been included in the quoted fees.
Are a hostel and food included in TMI DNS fees?
The DNS course offered by TMI is a one-year residential course, and the prospectus for the year 2026 shows that the cost of the program mentioned in the publication takes into consideration boarding and lodging costs. The detailed fees page includes such items as mess, laundry, uniforms, and books as student services.
In other words, one cannot assume that the figure of ₹6.78 lakh pertains only to the tuition.
Table of Contents
Additional Expenses to Keep in Mind
It does not include all the expenses that a student may incur while studying through TMI.
IMU Examination Fees
As per TMI, the examination fees need to be paid to IMU, and they do not form a part of the fee shown above. As per its 2026 prospectus, the approximate semester examination fee is ₹10,000.
Excursion & Visit Fee
TMI informs that there will be a separate charge for excursions and visits at actual cost.
Medical Expenses
The medical expenses that are not covered under insurance may also be separately recovered at actual cost.
Refundable Caution Deposit
The amount of ₹10,000 for the caution deposit is included in the fee of TMI. It mentions that this is an interest-free refundable deposit with ₹1,000 deducted from the same towards TMI Alumni Association membership after completion of the program.
Thus, it would be advisable for students to keep some money aside rather than plan their budget around exactly ₹6.78 lakh or ₹5.73 lakh.
TMI DNS Fee Payment: Semester-Wise
TMI also divides the payment between the two semesters.
For male candidates:
- First semester payable to TMI: ₹3,61,030
- Second semester payable to TMI: ₹2,76,970
- Total payable to TMI: ₹6,38,000
- IMU registration: ₹40,000
- Total TMI + IMU: ₹6,78,000
For female candidates:
- First semester payable to TMI: ₹3,08,762
- Second semester payable to TMI: ₹2,24,703
- Total payable to TMI: ₹5,33,465
- IMU registration: ₹40,000
- Total TMI + IMU: ₹5,73,465
The ₹40,000 IMU registration fee is paid directly to IMU through its portal.
Tolani Maritime Institute DNS Eligibility Criteria
However, before considering the cost of application, one must be eligible for TMI’s admission requirements. The minimum eligibility criteria for TMI’s 2026 DNS admission batch are listed in the prospectus as follows.
Educational Qualification
Candidates need to have obtained Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent with a minimum of 60% marks in PCM.
Further, candidates require a minimum of 50% marks in English in Class 10 or 12.
This implies that for a recent Class 12 PCM passout student, the important academic marks required are 60% in PCM and 50% in English.
Nationality
As per the TMI admission requirements of the 2026 DNS batch, candidates need to be of Indian nationality to apply for this program.
Age Limit
The age requirement should be considered in conjunction with the TMI’s admission cycle relevant document. TMI’s June 2026 DNS prospectus states the following age requirements:
Boys – less than 21 years of age
Girls – less than 23 years of age
Moreover, the other official DNS material of TMI has shown varied age requirements within the overall DG Shipping and IMU eligibility requirements. Thus, candidates should consider the latest TMI prospectus relevant to their admission cycle instead of the online, outdated age requirement.
Marital Status
The 2026 DNS prospectus of TMI has a clause saying that candidates must be unmarried.
Medical Fitness
Medical fitness is a critical criterion for entry into DNS because the job entails sailing the seas.
According to TMI, the candidate must be mentally and physically fit and should not have any deficiency that would affect his/her ability to carry out his/her duties efficiently. The criteria of medical fitness should be evaluated in line with the prevailing Directorate General of Shipping standards.
Regarding the criteria in the 2026 TMI prospectus, the requirement for eyesight is 6/6 vision in both eyes without the help of glasses, and color blindness is also not allowed. Moreover, according to the prospectus, the medical fitness certificate must be provided by a DGCA-approved doctor.
In view of the importance of the medical standard, it is always better to undergo a medical checkup from an approved medical examiner than to assume anything about eyesight and general medical fitness.
Requirement of Passport
The 2026 prospectus of TMI says that the candidate should have an Indian passport valid at the time of admission. In case of the 2026 cycle, TMI asked the candidates to make sure that they had a valid passport in May 2026.
IMU-CET
IMU-CET is an absolute requirement for admission into the TMI DNS program. TMI mentions in its admission details that candidates have to take part in IMU-CET.
Sponsorship
Company-sponsored candidates can be admitted to the TMI DNS program. TMI says that it arranges sponsorship with the shipping companies and then selects the candidates via the test, interview, and medical procedures from the sponsoring companies.
This is a very important issue for students to remember: fulfillment of the requirements of Class 12 eligibility does not automatically assure admission to TMI DNS.
TMI DNS Selection Process 2026
The admission process comprises more than just filling out the application form.
The TMI prospectus of 2026 provides the general admission process flow as follows:
Step 1: TMI application and screening test
The candidates need to fill up the application form and sit for the online screening test of TMI. Those candidates who qualify for the screening are called for an interview.
Step 2: Shipping Company sponsorship
The shortlisted candidates are referred to the shipping companies. They appear for the test and interview of the sponsoring company. The candidates also need to pass the necessary medical examination.
Step 3: IMU-CET
The candidates must qualify in IMU-CET. As per TMI, IMU-CET is mandatory for admission to the DNS program.
Step 4: Admission and joining
The sponsored candidates who qualify for all the required conditions are issued the letter of admission and joining instructions. They then pay the necessary fee and join the DNS program at TMI.
What Is the TMI DNS Screening Test Pattern?
TMI’s 2026 prospectus gives the following pattern for its online screening test:
Subject | Questions |
Physics | 35 |
Mathematics | 35 |
Analytical | 10 |
Logical | 10 |
General Aptitude | 10 |
Total | 100 |
The examination follows the standard of the Plus 2 level and has a duration of 60 minutes. As mentioned in the 2026 prospectus of TMI, there is no penalty marking for incorrect answers. The merit list has been prepared taking into account 50% weightage of the TMI screening test and 50% weightage of the PCM percentage of class 12.
Thus, preparation is essential even for those candidates who possess a high percentage of Class 12. Academic percentage cannot substitute performance in the selection process.
TMI DNS Sponsorship: What Students Should Know
TMI’s information explicitly shows that the DNS program is meant for sponsored candidates from companies. TMI states that it helps candidates get sponsorship while shipping companies do their own testing and interviewing. It is also noted in the 2026 prospectus of TMI that shortlisted candidates are referred to shipping companies for sponsorship.
Hence, the candidates are advised not to be cheated by any person who guarantees admission in TMI for payment alone. The most reliable way would be to go through the admission procedure of TMI.
Get the Right Guidance with JMDI Academy
Those applying for TMI DNS and other merchant navy entrance or sponsorship tests can consider JMDI Academy for proper preparation and guidance. The institute provides courses in IMU-CET and sponsorship preparation, apart from offline preparation and test series. In addition, the method used by the institute pays attention to mentoring, whereby students get a proper idea of all the phases involved in the admissions or sponsorship, instead of just getting themselves prepared for the entrance exam.
For those who want to prepare for TMI DNS, such proper preparation will be helpful as it includes the following factors: academics, entrance test scores, interviews, sponsorship, and medicals. Proper preparation early on in the preparation period helps candidates improve their subject knowledge and gain practice in aptitude and reasoning. Students can also visit JMDI Academy’s Our Results page to learn more about the results shared by the academy.
Prepare Smarter with Merchant Navy Decoded
Besides, students may also use Merchant Navy Decoded as a platform for learning and practicing in order to appear for examinations relevant to their careers in the merchant navy. As per the official site of Merchant Navy Decoded, the current platforms that exist include IMUCET and sponsorship courses, IMUCET test series, and preparation books. Or The Merchant Navy Decoded app is helpful for students who wish to prepare for the entrance and sponsorship exams for the Merchant Navy since one can use it to practice through mock tests.
In case of entrance examinations like the TMI screening test, mock-test practices may prove highly useful for the students. It will enable the students to get accustomed to the pattern of the examination through practice within a stipulated time and find out the areas wherein they require further practice.
FAQ’s (Frequently asked Questions)
The total fee for the August 2026 batch is ₹6,78,000 for male candidates, including the ₹40,000 IMU registration fee.
₹5,73,465, including the IMU registration fee is the total TMI fee for the August 2026 batch. The female candidate will get a 50% relaxation on tuition fees.
Yes. The 2026 DNS prospectus of TMI has specified that the female candidates get 50% relaxation on tuition fees.
TMI’s DNS course is a residential program, and according to TMI’s 2026 prospectus, the program fee includes boarding and lodging facilities. The detailed fee page also includes other student services.
Yes, mess is included under student services in the published fee structure.
Yes, the IMU fee is a part of the total fee structure, but it is to be paid separately to IMU through its online portal.
No. According to TMI, the examination fees are to be paid independently to IMU. The 2026 prospectus states that the approximate examination fee is ₹10,000.
The candidates must secure a minimum of 60% marks in physics, chemistry, and mathematics in class 12 and at least 50% marks in English in class 10 or class 12.
According to the TMI June 2026 DNS prospectus, the age criterion for boys should be less than 21 years and for girls less than 23 years. However, since TMI official DNS admission literature has had varying criteria regarding the age criterion, applicants are advised to check the most recent DNS prospectus relevant to their admission session.
Yes. According to TMI, they accept sponsored applicants for the DNS program.
Yes. According to TMI, IMU-CET is mandatory to get into their DNS program.
Yes. The candidates must satisfy DG Shipping medical requirements, and as per the TMI Prospectus 2026, candidates need to undergo a DGMA-approved doctor’s medical fitness certification.