HIMT Chennai DNS Course Fees
Students looking for HIMT Chennai DNS course fees should look beyond the headline fee and check what is actually included in the course cost, what has to be paid separately, and whether the information applies to the 2027–28 admission cycle.
HIMT College currently publishes a DNS fee structure for its one-year residential Diploma in Nautical Science program. However, a separate 2027–28 fee has not been published on the current official HIMT DNS page. Therefore, the latest officially published fee is used below as a reference and should not be presented as the confirmed 2027–28 fee.
HIMT Chennai DNS Course Fees
For the latest DNS fee structure currently published by HIMT, the institute lists the following:
Fee Component | Amount |
Application Fee | ₹999 |
Total Fees | ₹4,95,000 |
Refundable Caution Deposit | ₹20,000 |
HIMT states that the ₹4,95,000 total fee includes course fees, accommodation, food, workshops, laboratory, library, and uniform. The ₹20,000 caution deposit is refundable at the end of the course, subject to applicable adjustments such as laundry charges or damages or breakages.
The institute also states that examination fees and yearly IMU program fees are additional and have to be paid by the candidate directly to Indian Maritime University.
Important Note on the 2027 Fee
The ₹4,95,000 figure is the latest fee published on HIMT’s current DNS page. It should not be described as the confirmed 2027–28 fee unless HIMT publishes a new fee structure for that admission cycle.
Students planning for 2027 should therefore confirm the final fee with HIMT before making any payment.
What is included in the HIMT DNS fee?
The total fee of ₹4,95,000 currently published by HIMT covers several major components of the residential DNS program.
According to the institute, the fee includes:
- Course fees
- Accommodation
- Food
- Workshops
- Laboratory facilities
- Library
- Uniform
The ₹20,000 caution deposit is separate from the ₹4,95,000 total fee and is refundable subject to the institute’s applicable conditions. Students should also remember that the IMU program fee and examination fees are additional.
Is HIMT Chennai approved by DGMA and affiliated with IMU?
Yes. HIMT’s current DNS page states that the course is approved by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), Government of India, with approval number TR/A/02/2023. The same page states that the DNS program is affiliated with Indian Maritime University (IMU).
IMU’s current affiliated-institute records also list HIMT College, Chennai, for the Diploma in Nautical Science. The current IMU listing gives DNS intake of 120 for the August batch and 40 for the February batch, with the relevant affiliation records shown for HIMT.
The IMU 2026–27 prospectus also lists HIMT College, Chennai, as an affiliated institute offering DNS, with 120 seats for the August batch and 40 seats for the February batch.
HIMT DNS Course Duration
The HIMT DNS program is a one-year residential diploma course in nautical science.
HIMT’s current DNS page specifies the course duration as 1 year. The program covers subjects and practical training related to navigation, seamanship, ship construction and stability, cargo handling, watchkeeping, meteorology, maritime communication, and other areas required for deck training.
The broader official DGMA career guidance describes the DNS pathway as one year of pre-sea training followed by 18 months of sea time as part of the route towards officer certification.
HIMT DNS Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is one of the most important things to check before applying for DNS. HIMT currently publishes the following eligibility routes on its official DNS page.
Academic Qualification
For the 10+2 route, HIMT requires:
- 10+2 or equivalent with a minimum 60% average in PCM
- Minimum 50% marks in English in the 10th or 12th examination
HIMT also lists alternative qualification routes for eligible candidates:
- B.Sc. in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, or Electronics, with Physics as an individual subject in one of the years and an average of at least 55% in the final year.
- B.E./B.Tech. from an IIT or an AICTE-recognized college, with an average of at least 50% in the final year.
- English requirement of at least 50% in the 10th, 12th, or degree examination, as applicable.
Age Limit
For the eligibility information currently published by HIMT, the maximum age is:
Category | Maximum Age |
Male – General | 25 years |
Male – OBC (NCL) | 28 years |
Male – SC/ST | 30 years |
Female – General | 27 years |
Female – OBC (NCL) | 30 years |
Female – SC/ST | 32 years |
HIMT states that the reference date for calculating age for the published eligibility is 20 January 2026. These age figures should therefore not automatically be treated as the 2027–28 age criteria until HIMT publishes the applicable 2027 admission requirements.
You can check your educational eligibility on the eligibility calculator available on the Merchant Navy Decoded app.
Marital Status
HIMT’s current DNS eligibility information specifies that candidates must be unmarried.
Table of Contents
HIMT DNS Medical and Eyesight Requirements
Candidates must also satisfy the medical standards applicable to seafarers.
HIMT currently specifies:
- Unaided vision of 6/6 in the better eye
- Unaided vision of 6/9 in the other eye
- No eye conditions affecting the required standard
- Full eye movement
- Normal pupil response
- Good binocular vision
- No color blindness, tested using the Ishihara test
- Medical fitness, including eyesight and hearing, according to the applicable merchant shipping medical requirements
- A medical fitness certificate issued by a DGMA-approved doctor
IMU also states that candidates entering marine programs must meet the applicable DG Shipping medical fitness standards and submit the required physical fitness certificate from a doctor approved by DG Shipping/DGMA.
Because medical standards can be updated, candidates should always check the latest applicable medical requirements before joining.
Is IMU-CET required for HIMT DNS?
Yes, HIMT’s current DNS admission information identifies IMU-CET as the entrance test and states that candidates should apply for both HIMT and IMU-CET and hold an IMU-CET rank for admission.
The current IMU 2026–27 prospectus further states that for admission to DGS-approved programs, including DNS at affiliated institutes, an IMU-CET rank is compulsory.
Therefore, students targeting HIMT DNS should prepare for both the institute’s admission process and IMU-CET.
For students preparing specifically for IMU-CET, the Crack IMUCET Book can be used as a dedicated preparation resource for concept revision and question practice. The test series can also help students practice under exam-like conditions, improve speed, and identify topics that need more revision.
Is sponsorship required for HIMT DNS?
Yes, HIMT’s current DNS information states that a sponsorship letter from an RPSL company is mandatory for the course.
This is consistent with IMU’s current admission framework. IMU states that admissions to DNS programs at affiliated institutes are open only to sponsored candidates, meaning candidates sponsored by ship-owning or ship-managing companies who also qualify in the IMU-CET.
Therefore, students should not treat sponsorship as an optional part of the HIMT DNS admission process.
HIMT DNS Admission Process
The current HIMT DNS admission page describes the following broad process:
- Registration
- Payment of the application fee
- Online written examination
- Online interview for candidates who clear the written examination
- Medical examination and completion of admission formalities
- Submission of documents and applicable fees
- Commencement of the course
The exact process can vary depending on the sponsorship route and the sponsoring company. Candidates should therefore follow the instructions issued for their specific intake.
Why IMU-CET and Sponsorship Preparation Matter
For a student targeting HIMT DNS, clearing IMU-CET alone is not the complete admission pathway.
The candidate also needs to satisfy the sponsorship requirement and the institute’s admission conditions. IMU’s current framework specifically connects DNS admission at affiliated institutes with both sponsorship and the required IMU-CET qualification.
This makes it important to prepare for the academic entrance examination while also developing the skills required for company selection processes.
Students who want structured preparation for both IMU-CET and sponsorship examinations can consider JMDI Academy. Its preparation support covers areas such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, English, aptitude, regular testing, mock interviews, communication skills, and sponsorship-focused guidance. This can help students prepare for the entrance examination while also working on the interview and selection skills required by sponsoring companies.
JMDI Academy also provides preparation resources such as the IMU-CET Preparation Book and Test Series, which can be useful for students who want regular MCQ practice, mock tests, and exam-oriented preparation alongside their main study plan.
Merchant Navy Decoded for IMU-CET and Sponsorship Guidance
Students preparing for Merchant Navy admissions also need to keep track of eligibility, colleges, application forms, entrance examinations, sponsorship opportunities, and other admission-related information.
Merchant Navy Decoded App provides digital resources and guidance for students going through this process. Its platform includes IMU-CET and sponsorship guidance, college information, expert counseling, medical fitness guidance, the latest forms, and other Merchant Navy-related resources.
Students who are unsure whether they meet the basic eligibility requirements can use the Merchant Navy Decoded Eligibility Calculator to enter their academic and basic details and get an initial eligibility check for relevant maritime courses.
The platform can also help students track admission-related updates and prepare for the entrance process through resources such as the Test Series and Crack IMUCET Book. Regular practice can help students become more familiar with the exam pattern, improve speed, and identify areas that require additional preparation.
HIMT Chennai DNS Fees 2027 – Quick Summary
Particular | Latest Officially Published Information |
Course | Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) |
Duration | 1 year |
Total course fee | ₹4,95,000 |
Refundable caution deposit | ₹20,000 |
Application fee | ₹999 |
Accommodation | Included in the total fee |
Food | Included in the total fee |
Workshops & laboratory | Included in the total fee |
Library | Included in the total fee |
Uniform | Included in the total fee |
IMU program fees | Additional |
Examination fees | Additional |
2027–28 fee | Not separately published on the current HIMT DNS page |
The ₹4,95,000 amount is therefore the latest officially published HIMT DNS fee, not a confirmed 2027–28 fee.
FAQ’s (Frequently asked Questions)
HIMT lists ₹4,95,000 as the total fee, along with a ₹20,000 refundable caution deposit and a ₹999 application fee.
No. It is the latest fee currently published by HIMT. A separate 2027–28 fee has not been published on the current DNS page, so the amount should not be presented as a confirmed 2027 fee.
HIMT states that the ₹4,95,000 total fee includes course fees, accommodation, food, workshops, laboratory, library and uniform.
No. HIMT lists the ₹20,000 refundable caution deposit separately from the ₹4,95,000 total fee.
Yes. HIMT identifies IMU-CET as the entrance test for the DNS program, and IMU’s current framework requires an IMU-CET rank for admission to DNS at affiliated institutes.
For the 10+2 route, HIMT currently specifies a 60% average in PCM and 50% in English. It also publishes alternative eligibility routes for certain B.Sc. and B.E./B.Tech. graduates.
For the currently published HIMT eligibility, the maximum age is 25 years for general-category male candidates and 27 years for general-category female candidates, with category-based limits listed separately by HIMT.
HIMT currently specifies unaided vision of 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the other eye, along with the required eye health and normal color vision. Candidates must also obtain the required medical fitness certification from a DGMA-approved doctor.
Yes. HIMT’s current DNS page states that the program is affiliated with Indian Maritime University, and IMU’s current affiliated-institute records list HIMT College, Chennai for DNS.
Yes. HIMT lists the DNS course duration as 1 year. The official DGMA career pathway describes DNS as one year of pre-sea training followed by 18 months of sea time in the deck-cadet pathway.
Before making any payment, verify the fee applicable to your exact batch, current HIMT admission notice, IMU-CET requirement, sponsorship status, medical fitness, applicable IMU fees, examination fees, and refund/withdrawal conditions from the latest official documents.