Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy DNS Fees
One of the leading maritime institutions in India providing the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) program is Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (AEMA). The program has been developed by the institution for those students who wish to make a career in the deck department of the merchant navy.
The fee structure is one of the key factors when students decide on admission into this program. AEMA has a different fee structure for each DNS batch, and hence the amount may vary from one intake to another.
According to AEMA’s official fee structure dated 5 February 2026 for the DNS 34 August 2026 batch, the total cost of fees payable to the academy amounts to ₹8,00,000 with a refundable caution deposit of ₹25,000.
AEMA DNS Fees 2026
The official fee structure for DNS 34 – August 2026 is:
Fee component | Amount |
Admission Processing Fee | ₹40,000 |
Course Fees – Semester I & II | ₹7,15,000 |
Sub-total | ₹7,55,000 |
STCW Basic Safety Course Fees | ₹45,000 |
Grand Total | ₹8,00,000 |
Caution Deposit | ₹25,000 |
The ₹25,000 caution deposit will be refundable on the completion of the course with the reduction of any applicable damages, breakages, additional courses, accommodation, etc.
The above fee schedule is applicable only to DNS 34, August 2026 intake. Students planning to apply for other intakes should refer to the fee schedule document of that intake.
What Is Included in AEMA DNS Fees?
The ₹8 lakh figure consists of several different components rather than being a single tuition charge.
Admission Processing Fee
AEMA has specified an admission processing fee of ₹40,000 for the August 2026 DNS batch.
According to the official fee document, this amount is non-refundable if a candidate is offered a seat but does not join the academy.
Course Fees
The course fees for Semester I and Semester II together are ₹7,15,000.
This forms the largest part of the AEMA DNS fee structure.
STCW Basic Safety Course
AEMA lists ₹45,000 separately for the STCW Basic Safety Course.
STCW training forms an important part of maritime education because it covers essential safety competencies required for seafarers.
Caution Deposit
A ₹25,000 caution deposit is also specified.
This is not part of the ₹8,00,000 grand total in the fee table. AEMA states that it is refundable after completion of the course, subject to applicable adjustments.
Therefore, students should distinguish between the ₹8 lakh grand total and the additional refundable caution deposit.
AEMA DNS Total Cost
For DNS 34, August 2026:
- Admission processing fee: ₹40,000
- Course fees: ₹7,15,000
- STCW Basic Safety Course: ₹45,000
- Grand Total: ₹8,00,000
- Caution deposit: ₹25,000
If the caution deposit is paid along with the other fees, the amount paid to AEMA would be ₹8,25,000, before considering any separate charges payable directly to IMU or other applicable expenses. The ₹25,000 is refundable subject to AEMA’s stated conditions.
Is the IMU fee included in AEMA DNS fees?
Students should pay attention to this point. The document on the AEMA fee structure mentions that IMU fees are supposed to be deposited directly with IMU. AEMA will assist students in depositing the same when the IMU student portal is opened for that purpose. It is recommended to have the relevant IMU fee available, as the time period during which this has to be done might be very brief.
Consequently, one cannot take it for granted that the ₹8,00,000 AEMA grand total includes all the fees payable towards DNS admissions.
The actual IMU fee structure relevant for the candidate’s batch must be separately ascertained.
AEMA DNS Fee Payment
The fee is not necessarily paid as one single course payment. AEMA’s fee structure provides a payment schedule for the different components. Candidates receive the applicable joining and payment instructions after selection.
The academy’s official admission process also states that candidates who clear the selection procedure and are placed on the final merit list receive the final offer letter, joining instructions, and fee structure details.
Students should follow the payment instructions provided directly by AEMA rather than paying through an agent or an unofficial account.
Table of Contents
AEMA DNS Fee Refund Policy
The refund policy is particularly important because the admission processing fee and course fees are not automatically refundable. For the August 2026 DNS 34 batch, AEMA specifies the following conditions:
If the candidate does not join
If a candidate is offered a seat but does not join, the ₹40,000 admission processing fee is not refundable.
If the candidate withdraws and is replaced
If a candidate joins and subsequently withdraws and the seat is filled by a waitlisted candidate, AEMA states that the deduction will include the following:
- ₹40,000 admission processing fee
- 50% of the first-semester course fee
If the candidate withdraws and no replacement joins
If a candidate withdraws without the possibility of a waitlisted candidate taking the seat, the deduction includes:
- ₹40,000 admission processing fee
- First-semester course fee
Withdrawal during the second semester
AEMA’s 2026 fee document states that if a candidate withdraws during the second semester, the entire second-semester course fee remains payable/deductible. Candidates should read the complete refund policy before making payment.
Is AEMA DNS a Sponsored Course?
AEMA’s DNS admission process is connected with company sponsorship.
The academy’s admission page explains that candidates who clear the selection procedure receive a provisional selection letter, followed by the final merit-selection process. The merit list considers factors including the following:
- Class XII PCM percentage
- Anglo-Eastern online test score
- Interview score
- IMU-CET ranking
Selected candidates receive the final offer letter and fee structure.
This means students should not look at the AEMA fee in isolation. Getting admission into AEMA involves meeting the applicable sponsorship and selection requirements.
Does AEMA DNS require IMU-CET?
Yes.AEMA explicitly states that IMU-CET is mandatory for t he DNS course For the August 2026 batch, AEMA lists the IMU-CET date as 24 May 2026, which has already been conducted.
AEMA’s admission process also considers the candidate’s IMU-CET ranking as one of the factors in its final merit list.
AEMA DNS February 2027 Batch
AEMA currently lists DNS 35 – February 2027 as its next DNS batch.
The academy’s admission page states:
- Course: DNS 35
- Intake: 120
- Start date: 1 February 2027
- Application status: To be announced
- Application last date: To be announced
- IMU-CET date: To be announced
The fee structure for this batch should be checked when AEMA releases the applicable official fee document. Students should not assume that the August 2026 fee of ₹8 lakh will remain unchanged for February 2027.
AEMA DNS Course Duration
The DNS program at AEMA is a 12-month residential course. AEMA describes DNS as a 12-month program leading to a bachelor’s degree in applied nautical science and as a route towards becoming a deck officer in the merchant navy.
The DNS program is therefore only one stage of the overall deck-officer career pathway. Students also have to complete the required onboard training, sea service, and certification requirements.
What Do Students Study During DNS?
The DNS program focuses on the deck department and includes subjects and practical training related to:
- Navigation
- Seamanship
- Ship construction
- Ship stability
- Cargo operations
- Maritime safety
- Meteorology
- Maritime communication
- Watchkeeping
- Maritime regulations
Students also receive practical and simulator-based training as part of their maritime education.
AEMA DNS Admission Process
AEMA follows a selection-based admission process.
The broad stages include the following:
- Meet the academic eligibility requirements.
- Apply for the AEMA/Anglo-Eastern selection process.
- Take the Anglo-Eastern online test.
- Attend the interview.
- Complete the company-approved medical and eye test.
- Receive a provisional selection letter if selected.
- Submit the required documents.
- Participate in the final merit-selection process.
- Receive the final offer letter if selected.
- Pay the applicable admission and course fees.
- Join the DNS program.
AEMA states that its selection is based purely on merit and warns candidates against agencies or individuals claiming to provide guaranteed admission or sea time in exchange for money.
Planning to join the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) course? Before applying, check whether you meet the required eligibility criteria. Use the Merchant Navy Decoded Eligibility Calculator to check your eligibility for DNS based on your academic qualifications and other requirements.
Documents Required for AEMA DNS Admission
AEMA lists documents such as the following:
- Class 10 original marksheet
- Class 12 original marksheet
- Graduation certificate/marksheet, where applicable
- Original birth certificate
- Migration/Transfer Certificate
- Passport or proof of application
- Medical fitness report from the company-approved doctor
- Passport-size photographs
The exact documents and instructions should be checked in the joining instructions issued for the candidate’s batch.
Is AEMA DNS Worth the Fees?
AEMA is one of the largest maritime academies, and the institute has a definite tradition of training related to the deck and engine departments. As per the institute, its courses are accredited by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Government of India, and the course curriculum is designed according to IMO Model Courses and STCW guidelines. Moreover, it is certified as Grade A1 by DGS.
However, students should not choose an institute only because of its reputation.
Before paying the fees, check:
- Current DGS approval
- IMU affiliation
- Sponsorship details
- Course fee
- Refund policy
- Hostel and accommodation
- Training facilities
- Onboard training arrangements
- Medical requirements
- Batch-specific admission conditions
JMDI Academy for DNS Aspirants
Students planning to apply for DNS need to prepare for both the entrance and sponsorship stages. JMDI Academy, Dehradun, specializes in IMU-CET and Merchant Navy sponsorship examination preparation. Preparation covers PCM, English, aptitude, mock tests, and interview preparation.
For students targeting AEMA or other sponsored DNS routes, understanding the difference between IMU-CET preparation and company selection preparation is especially useful.
Students preparing for DNS Sponsorship can also explore JMDI Academy’s preparation resources, including its IMU-CET book and test series, to strengthen their exam preparation through regular practice, MCQs, sample papers, and mock tests. Along with preparation resources, students can visit JMDI Academy’s Our Results page to learn more about the results shared by the academy and get an idea of its students’ performance. Apply now with JMDI Academy to begin your preparation with the right guidance and study resources.
Merchant Navy Decoded App for DNS Admission
The Merchant Navy Decoded app can also help students researching DNS admission.
The app provides information related to Merchant Navy colleges, admission forms, and other admission-related details. It also includes an IMU-CET test series for entrance-exam practice. Students can use it to compare colleges and keep track of admission-related information while verifying final details through the official institute and company notifications.
Final Thoughts
According to the official fee structure of the AEMA DNS 3 August 2026 batch, the grand total amount comes to ₹8,00,000, including ₹40,000 as admission processing fees, ₹7,15,000 as course fees of Semesters I and II, and ₹45,000 as STCW Basic Safety Course fees. Another ₹25,000 is mentioned as a refundable caution deposit.
An amount of ₹8 lakhs does not cover all the possible expenses related to admissions. AEMA clearly mentions that IMU fees need to be paid directly to IMU. At present, AEMA has advertised DNS 35 for the February 2027 intake of 120 students, while fee information has not been disclosed yet.
Students should always use the fee structure issued for their particular batch rather than relying on older figures found on third-party websites.
FAQ’s (Frequently asked Questions)
The official fee structure for DNS 34 lists ₹8,00,000 as the total, plus a ₹25,000 refundable caution deposit.
No. The ₹25,000 caution deposit is listed separately from the ₹8,00,000 grand total. It is refundable subject to AEMA’s stated conditions.
No. AEMA’s fee document states that the applicable IMU fee is to be paid directly to IMU.
Yes. AEMA currently lists two DNS batches each year. The August 2026 batch has 160 seats, while the February 2027 batch is listed with 120 seats.
Not necessarily. AEMA issues batch-specific fee structures. Students should check the official fee document for the batch they are joining.
Yes. AEMA describes its DNS program as a 12-month residential course.
Students should follow AEMA’s official admission and payment instructions. The academy’s selection process includes testing, an interview, a medical examination, and final merit selection before the final offer and joining instructions are issued.
No. AEMA explicitly warns about fraudulent agencies and individuals offering admission or sea time in exchange for money and states that its selection is based purely on merit.