SIMS DNS Course Fees
For aspiring seafarers who wish to take the marine class via the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) route, the SIMS DNS Course Fees for 2027 is a most relevant subject to look into. Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS) is a marine training institution in Lonavala, Maharashtra, whereas its DNS program is affiliated with Indian Maritime University (IMU), and this program has received DG Shipping approval, according to its 2026 prospectus.
If you are looking at SIMS for the 2027 admission cycle, the first thing to understand is that the official 2027–28 fee has not yet been published in the sources currently available. Therefore, the latest official SIMS 2026 prospectus is used as the fee reference rather than presenting an unconfirmed amount as the 2027 fee.
SIMS DNS Course Fees 2027
The latest official SIMS prospectus gives different fee structures for male and female DNS cadets.
SIMS DNS Fee Structure – 2026 Official Reference
Fee Particular | Boys | Girls |
Gross total including listed course/other charges | ₹9,85,000 | ₹9,85,000 |
Standard waiver | ₹2,00,000 | ₹2,00,000 |
Additional DG-norm waiver | — | ₹1,33,200 |
Net total fees & other charges | ₹7,85,000 | ₹6,51,800 |
IMU Registration Fee | ₹40,000 extra | ₹40,000 extra |
Is ₹7.85 lakh the confirmed SIMS DNS fee for 2027?
Yes, ₹7,85,000 for boys and ₹6,51,800 for girls are the current fee details listed in SIMS’s prospectus for the year 2026.
All official information regarding the actual amounts for the year 2027 will only be available after SIMS announces its fee structure in its official prospectus for the year.
SIMS DNS Fees: What Is Included?
SIMS provides a relatively detailed fee structure instead of giving only one headline amount.
For the 2026 DNS batch, the institute states that the remaining course fee includes:
- Tuition
- Hostel
- Mess
- Uniform
- Books
- Laptop
- Basic STCW courses listed by SIMS
The 2026 prospectus also lists ₹1,200 for INDOS and a ₹15,000 refundable caution deposit, forming a ₹16,200 additional amount within the institute’s stated grand total.
The ₹40,000 IMU registration fee is not included in the SIMS grand total and is payable directly by the candidate to IMU. Semester examination fees and several personal expenses are also outside the stated SIMS fee.
SIMS DNS Fee Payment Schedule
For the 2026 boys’ DNS fee structure, SIMS lists:
Payment | Amount |
Non-refundable joining/advance fee | ₹50,000 |
First-semester course fee | ₹6,37,800 |
Caution deposit + INDOS | ₹16,200 |
Less advance fee already paid | ₹50,000 |
Balance payable for first semester | ₹6,04,000 |
Second-semester course fee | ₹1,31,000 |
Total fees and other charges | ₹7,85,000 |
SIMS states that admission is confirmed only after receipt of the joining fee and that the joining fee is non-refundable, subject to the refund conditions stated in the prospectus.
For girls, the official 2026 structure gives a ₹6,51,800 total, after the additional waiver specified by SIMS.
Additional Costs You Should Know
The SIMS DNS fee should not be confused with the total amount a student may spend during the entire admission and training process.
According to the 2026 prospectus, the following are not included in the SIMS fee:
- ₹40,000 IMU registration fee
- Personal laundry
- Telephone expenses
- Medical expenses
- Semester examination fees
- Exit examination fees
- Passport expenses
- U.S. visa fees
- Travel expenses related to obtaining the visa
SIMS also states that the refundable caution deposit is returned at the end of the one-year course after adjustment for applicable damages or breakages.
SIMS DNS Course: Quick Overview
Particular | Details |
Institute | Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS) |
Pre-Sea Campus | Lonavala, Maharashtra |
Course | Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) |
Duration | 1 year |
Mode | Fully residential |
2026 DNS Intake | 120 in Aug and 40 in Feb, according to IMU’s affiliated-institute listing |
SIMS Prospectus Aug 2026 Seats | 40 seats stated in the institute’s prospectus |
DGS Status | DNS under DG Shipping approval |
IMU Status | Affiliated with IMU |
IMU-CET | Required |
Latest official boys’ fee reference | ₹7,85,000 |
Latest official girls’ fee reference | ₹6,51,800 |
2027–28 fee | Not yet officially published in the sources checked |
Where Is SIMS DNS Located?
The Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies’ pre-sea training campus is located at Takwe-Khurd, Mumbai-Pune Highway (NH-4), Lonavala, District Pune, Maharashtra – 410405.
SIMS describes its Lonavala campus as a fully residential pre-sea training campus. The institute’s prospectus states that the campus covers more than 55 acres and includes maritime training facilities and a ship-in-campus facility.
Table of Contents
Is SIMS DNS approved by DG Shipping?
The official prospectus of SIMS for 2026 confirms that its DNS and B.Tech Marine Engineering programs have received approval by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). The prospectus also states that SIMS is associated with Indian Maritime University, Chennai.
IMU’s current affiliated-college listing also identifies Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies, Pune, as an affiliated institute offering DNS. The listing shows a DNS intake of 120 for the August batch and 40 for the February batch.
Is SIMS Affiliated With IMU?
Yes, the current IMU-affiliated college listing identifies Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies as an affiliated institute and lists DNS among its approved programs.
SIMS’s own 2026 prospectus also explicitly states that its DNS and B.Tech courses are under DGS approval and additionally affiliated with IMU.
SIMS DNS Eligibility 2027
For students applying after Class 12, the latest SIMS prospectus gives specific eligibility conditions.
For the Class XII route, SIMS’s 2026 prospectus specifies:
- Minimum age: 17 years
- Maximum age: 20 years
- Unmarried status
- Results obtained in the first attempt
- Regular board qualification
- Minimum 60% aggregate
- Minimum 60% aggregate in PCM
- Minimum 50% individually in physics and mathematics
- Minimum 60% aggregate in physics and mathematics
- Minimum 50% in English in Class X or XII
- Qualification in the latest applicable IMU-CET
- Valid passport before joining.
SIMS also lists separate eligibility routes for certain B.Sc. and B.E./B.Tech. candidates. For the B.Sc. route, the prospectus specifies a relevant degree with the stated marks requirements and at least 55% in PCM in Class XII.
You can check your educational eligibility on the eligibility calculator available on the Merchant Navy Decoded.
SIMS DNS Age Limit
For the Class XII DNS route, the latest SIMS prospectus specifies:
Minimum age: 17 years
Maximum age: 20 years
The age is calculated as of the date of commencement of the course, according to the SIMS prospectus.
The prospectus separately specifies not more than 22 years for B.Sc. candidates and not more than 25 years for B.E./B.Tech. candidates under the relevant deck-cadet entry routes.
SIMS DNS Medical and Eyesight Requirements
Medical fitness is compulsory before admission.
SIMS’s 2026 prospectus states that selected candidates must undergo a medical examination by a DG Shipping-approved doctor who is also approved by SIMS.
For Deck Cadets, the prospectus specifies:
- No color blindness
- 6/6 vision in the better eye
- Maximum permissible 6/9 in the other eye
- Vision without visual aids for the stated Deck Cadet standard
- Minimum height of 157 cm for boys
- Minimum height of 152 cm for girls
- Minimum weight of 48 kg for boys
- Minimum weight of 45 kg for girls
- BMI between 19 and 27.
These figures are being presented specifically as requirements stated by the SIMS 2026 prospectus, rather than treating them as a generic rule for every DNS institute.
Is IMU-CET required for SIMS DNS?
Yes, SIMS’s 2026 prospectus explicitly states:
“All DNS, B.Sc. & B.Tech candidates are required to qualify in IMU-CET for the current batch.”
Therefore, IMU-CET should be treated as an important part of the SIMS DNS admission process.
For the 2027 admission cycle, candidates should follow the applicable 2027 IMU-CET notification and SIMS admission instructions once released.
SIMS DNS Admission Process
SIMS follows its own selection process in addition to the applicable IMU requirements.
According to the latest 2026 prospectus, the process includes:
1. Online Application
Candidates apply through the SIMS admission system. The 2026 prospectus states that the online written-test registration fee is ₹1,100.
2. SIMS Online Entrance Test
The DNS entrance test conducted by SIMS has a maximum of 100 marks. The test covers visual perception & processing, logical reasoning, information processing speed, science & abstract reasoning, spoken & written language, mathematical calculation, and English writing. The prospectus specifies an overall minimum passing score of 50 marks, with a separate minimum of 5 marks in English written.
The online examination process includes a 10-minute demo/practice paper, followed by 60 minutes of multiple-choice questions and 10 minutes for the English writing component.
3. Interview
Candidates who qualify on the online test are informed about the interview stage.
4. Psychometric Test
SIMS conducts a psychometric (16 PF) test after the interview.
5. Medical Examination
Candidates who progress through the selection process must undergo the prescribed medical examination through the applicable approved doctor.
6. IMU-CET
Candidates must also qualify in the latest applicable IMU-CET for the current SIMS DNS batch.
SIMS DNS Sponsorship and Placement
SIMS was established by Executive Ship Management (ESM) Pte. Ltd., Singapore. According to the official SIMS prospectus, the institute provides 100% in-house placement to cadets who successfully complete the required course and obtain the Certificate of Competency (CoC) from DG Shipping.
In simple terms, this means that SIMS states that eligible cadets are placed with its parent company, Executive Ship Management Pte. Ltd., after completing the required training and certification.
Does SIMS DNS Have Sponsorship?
This is where an important distinction should be made.
Sponsorship and placement are not the same thing.
A sponsorship program generally means that a shipping company selects a candidate for training and provides a defined pathway or arrangement for that candidate before or during the course.
Placement, on the other hand, refers to what happens after the required training and qualifications have been completed.
For SIMS, the official 2026 prospectus specifically states that it provides 100% in-house placement with ESM after successful course completion and obtaining the required CoC. It does not describe this statement as a separate DNS sponsorship program with a separately published sponsorship fee or sponsorship-selection process.
SIMS DNS Course Duration and Career Path
The SIMS DNS program consists of one year of residential pre-sea training.
The institute’s 2026 career pathway then shows:
1 Year Pre-Sea Training → Minimum 18 Months Onboard Training → 4 Months Post-Sea Training → 2nd Mate Foreign Going Examination → Certificate of Competency
SIMS states that the one-year pre-sea stage includes listed STCW courses and leads to the DNS qualification. The subsequent sea-going stage involves a minimum of 18 months of onboard training, followed by post-sea education and training and the required competency examination.
So, the ₹7.85 lakh/₹6.518 lakh fee is for the SIMS pre-sea course structure described in its 2026 prospectus; it should not be presented as the cost of the entire career pathway through Second Mate.
Prepare for IMU-CET and Sponsorship with JMDI Academy
JMDI Academy, Dehradun, provides structured preparation support for students targeting IMU-CET and Merchant Navy sponsorship examinations. Its 1-year IMU-CET & Sponsorship Preparation Program covers physics, chemistry, mathematics, English, aptitude, regular tests, mock interviews, communication skills, technical grooming, behavioral interview preparation, mentorship, and sponsorship guidance.
For students targeting the DNS route, this kind of preparation can help them work on both entrance-exam performance and sponsorship readiness instead of preparing for each stage separately.
Students who want a dedicated practice resource can also use the Crack IMUCET Book by JMDI Academy. The book is designed for IMU-CET preparation and includes 6,000+ chapter-wise MCQs, concise theory, detailed solutions, previous-year question analysis, and five full-length mock tests.
Merchant Navy Decoded for IMU-CET & Sponsorship Preparation
Merchant Navy Decoded App is a digital information and guidance platform for students preparing for IMU-CET, DNS admissions, and company sponsorship. Instead of focusing only on one examination, the platform brings together information and guidance resources that can help students understand different stages of the Merchant Navy admission process.
Its resources include a test series, IMU-CET & Sponsorship Guidance Series, Eligibility Calculator, College Portal, Expert Counselling, Medical Fitness Calculator, Latest Forms, DG Shipping resources, medical guidance, and preparation resources. Students can use these resources to understand eligibility requirements, explore college and sponsorship options, check medical-related information, stay updated with forms and admission information, and prepare for IMU-CET.
The platform also provides resources for students who want to crack IMU-CET, including practice material and guidance for entrance-exam preparation. For a student planning to enter the Merchant Navy after Class 12, using these resources alongside proper academic preparation can make it easier to understand eligibility, medical requirements, IMU-CET preparation, sponsorship opportunities, and college options before making an admission decision.
FAQ’s (Frequently asked Questions)
The latest official SIMS 2026 prospectus lists the total DNS fees and other charges at ₹7,85,000 for boys and ₹6,51,800 for girls.
No. It is the latest official fee available in the 2026 SIMS prospectus. The final 2027–28 fee should be taken from the official SIMS 2027 prospectus or fee notice when released.
Yes. The 2026 official fee structure lists ₹7,85,000 for boys and ₹6,51,800 for girls, with an additional waiver specified for girls under the fee structure.
No. SIMS’s 2026 prospectus separately states that the ₹40,000 IMU registration fee is payable directly to IMU by the candidate.
Yes. SIMS is listed by IMU as an affiliated institute offering DNS, and the SIMS prospectus also states that its DNS program is affiliated with IMU.
Yes. SIMS’s official prospectus states that its DNS course is under DG Shipping approval.
Acco
The 2026 SIMS prospectus requires 60% aggregate, 60% PCM, 50% individually in physics and mathematics, 60% aggregate in physics and mathematics, and 50% English in Class X or XII, along with the other stated conditions.
Yes. SIMS’s 2026 prospectus specifically states that all DNS candidates must qualify in IMU-CET for the current batch.
The DNS pre-sea programme at SIMS is one year and fully residential, followed by the subsequent sea-going and post-sea stages of the deck-officer pathway.
The 2026 prospectus excludes items including IMU registration, personal laundry, telephone, medical expenses, semester examination fees, exit examination fees, passport, U.S. visa fees, and related travel expenses.