IMU DNS Course Fees
IMU offers the DNS course as a means to join the deck side of the Merchant Navy. But here’s one thing that needs to be kept in mind. IMU does not charge the same fee for the DNS course on its website as the total fee charged by a DNS-affiliated IMU Institute.
For 2026, the official course page of IMU shows that its one-year residential DNS course fee on the IMU campus is ₹2,75,000 per academic year. In addition to that, there’s a DNS program fee of ₹30,000 and a semester fee of ₹1,22,500 for each semester.
IMU DNS Course Fees 2026
The fee structure published by IMU is the following:
Fee component | Amount |
Program fee | ₹30,000 |
Odd Semester | ₹1,22,500 |
Even Semester | ₹1,22,500 |
Total for academic year | ₹2,75,000 |
This is the fee structure that exists within IMU campuses and cannot be used in affiliated institutions.
This is crucial for us to understand. In case you are enrolled within an institution like Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy, SIMS, Seven Islands, T.S. Rahaman, or other IMU-affiliated DNS institutions, their respective fee structures come into effect.
Is ₹2.75 lakh the total IMU DNS fee?
The fee structure of the 1-year residential program at IMU’s campus is set at ₹2,75,000 per academic year, according to the IMU website. Nonetheless, it is essential not to consider the same figure as valid for all DNS colleges in India.
The 2026-27 prospectus of the IMU lists many institutes affiliated with the DNS program. These include AEMA, Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies, HIMT, IMI, Samundra Institute, Seven Islands, T.S. Rahaman, Tolani Maritime Institute, and others.
Every affiliated institute may have its own fees for courses, hostel stays, training, etc.
IMU Campus DNS vs. Affiliated College DNS Fees
This distinction makes a major difference when searching for “IMU DNS fees.”
Particular | IMU Campus DNS | IMU-Affiliated DNS Institute |
Fee structure | Published by IMU | Published by an individual institute |
2026 listed academic fee | ₹2.75 lakh | Varies by institute |
Program duration | 1 year | Generally 1 year pre-sea stage |
Residential | Yes. | It depends on the institute. |
Additional institute charges | As applicable | Can vary considerably |
Sponsorship | Separate consideration | Depends on institute/company |
IMU itself clearly states that its listed fee structure is not applicable to affiliated institutes.
What Is an IMU-Affiliated DNS College?
An affiliated DNS college is a maritime institute that has been approved/affiliated under the applicable IMU framework to conduct the DNS program.
For the 2026–27 academic year, IMU’s official prospectus includes DNS programs at several affiliated institutes. The approved intake varies from institute to institute.
For example, the 2026–27 prospectus lists:
- Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy – DNS
- Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies – DNS
- HIMT College – DNS
- International Maritime Institute – DNS
- Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies – DNS
- Seven Islands Maritime Foundation – DNS
- Training Ship Rahaman – DNS
- Tolani Maritime Institute – DNS
- Yak Education Trust – DNS
The list is not limited to these institutes.
Why Are DNS Fees Different From College to College?
IMU affiliation does not mean that every institute charges the same amount.
An institute’s total fee can depend on facilities and services such as the following:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Maritime training
- Simulation facilities
- Uniform
- Books and equipment
- STCW training
- Medical facilities
- Insurance
- Examination charges
- Other institute-specific services
This is why a student searching for “IMU DNS fees” should first decide whether they mean DNS at an IMU campus or DNS at an IMU-affiliated maritime institute.
Table of Contents
Does IMU DNS require IMU-CET?
The admission process in the case of DNS is related to the admission and entry procedure followed by IMU.
As far as the 2026-27 session is concerned, IMU has come out with individual academic notifications for DNS admissions from affiliated institutes. This is related to the June 2026 notification, which pertains to the procedure of admitting candidates into the DNS course and the award of a B.Sc. (Applied Nautical Science).
Candidates applying for a specific batch will have to adhere to IMU admission notifications along with admission rules of their institute.
DNS Sponsorship and IMU Admission
A very important distinction is the difference between IMU admission eligibility and company sponsorship.
For the 2026–27 academic year, IMU issued a circular specifically covering DNS admissions in affiliated colleges for sponsored candidates only.
This means students interested in DNS should not assume that getting an IMU-CET rank by itself guarantees admission to a sponsored DNS seat.
A candidate may have to:
- Meet DNS academic eligibility
- Qualify through the applicable IMU-CET process
- Apply to the relevant institute/company
- Clear the sponsorship selection
- Complete the required medical examination
- Submit the necessary documents
- Secure final admission
The exact process varies by institute and sponsoring company.
Want to check whether you meet the DNS eligibility requirements? You can use the Merchant Navy Decoded Eligibility Calculator to enter your academic and basic details and get an eligibility check for relevant maritime courses.
IMU DNS Course Duration
The DNS program is a 1-year residential program offered by IMU on its campus as per the details provided by the university.
The DNS is the pre-sea academic level of the deck officer training path. The students will have to undergo the necessary onboard training, sea service, and other relevant certifications after this program.
The DNS path eventually leads to the B.Sc. Applied Nautical Science degree through the necessary academic and sea training phases. The DNS program is also mentioned as leading to a B.Sc. at IMU.
What Happens After the DNS Course?
Completing DNS does not mean that a student immediately becomes a deck officer.
The broader pathway involves:
- Completing the pre-sea DNS program.
- Completing the required shipboard training.
- Completing the applicable advanced maritime courses.
- Completing the required sea service.
- Appearing for the required competency examinations.
- Obtaining the applicable Certificate of Competency.
- Progressing towards officer-level employment.
The exact requirements are governed by the applicable maritime regulations and training pathway.
Does the IMU DNS fee include sea training?
No. The ₹2,75,000 figure listed by IMU is for the 1-year residential program at an IMU campus. It should not be interpreted as the total cost of the complete deck-officer career pathway.
Sea training takes place after the pre-sea stage and involves separate arrangements. For students joining an affiliated institute, the institute/company arrangement for sea time should be checked carefully before admission.
IMU DNS Fees for Affiliated Colleges
It is important to note that there is not one universal IMU DNS fee for all affiliate colleges. The IMU prospectus 2026-27 indicates a few affiliate institutes along with their authorized DNS admissions. As a result, the IMU affiliate fee could be quite different from the IMU campus fee of ₹2.75 lakh.
For instance, a private institute for maritime training can have a higher overall fee, as it is allowed to charge for lodging, meals, and other costs. Therefore, students should always rely on the specific fee structure of the affiliate institution.
Other Expenses to Consider
Even after checking the course fee, students should prepare a separate budget for expenses such as the following:
- IMU-related charges
- Medical examination
- Passport
- Travel
- Uniform
- Books
- Personal equipment
- Additional certification courses
- Examination charges
- Personal expenses
The exact inclusions depend on whether the student joins an IMU campus or an affiliated institute.
IMU DNS Admission in 2026
The IMU 2026-27 academic record reveals that DNS admission is ongoing through affiliated institutions during the present academic session.
Circular 2611 was issued by IMU on 16 July 2026 for DNS admissions in affiliated colleges for the 2026-27 batch of sponsored students.
The university has also issued Circular 2608 on 2 June 2026 for the process of DNS admissions for B.Sc. (Applied Nautical Science) for the August 2026 batch.
The process of DNS admission is not simply a regular admission to college but is important for both sponsorship and registration with IMU
JMDI Academy for IMU Sponsorship Preparation
JMDI Academy, Dehradun, provides preparation support for students targeting Merchant Navy entrance examinations and company sponsorships. For aspirants, preparation can include PCM, English, aptitude, mock tests, communication, and interview practice.
Preparing for sponsorship and IMU-CET together can help students avoid treating the two processes as completely separate examinations.
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.
Merchant Navy Decoded App for IMU Aspirants
The Merchant Navy Decoded App is another useful resource for students preparing for the Merchant Navy admission pathway.
The app provides Merchant Navy-related information and preparation resources, including an IMU-CET test series. Regular mock-test practice can help students improve speed and identify weak areas before the examination.
Students can combine this with sponsorship-focused preparation and interview practice for a more complete preparation strategy.
Final Thoughts
As per IMU’s own campus DNS program, the institution is charging ₹2,75,000 for a total annual cost for the 1-year residential program. It involves a program fee of ₹30,000 and two semesters’ fee charges of ₹1,22,500 each.
However, the most crucial thing is that ₹2.75 lakh is not the regular DNS fee charged by all colleges affiliated to IMU. IMU explicitly clarifies that its campus fee structure does not apply to affiliated institutes.
In the case of a DNS program in affiliated colleges, the fee structure of that respective institute needs to be verified. The list of all affiliated institutes in the 2026-27 IMU prospectus is mentioned below.
Students should also look beyond the course fee and check sponsorship, accommodation, food, training, sea-time arrangements, and additional expenses before making a final decision.
FAQ’s (Frequently asked Questions)
IMU’s published fee for its 1-year residential DNS program at an IMU campus is ₹2,75,000 for the academic year.
No. IMU clearly states that its published campus fee structure does not apply to affiliated institutes.
Affiliated institutes have their own fee structures. Their charges can include accommodation, food, training facilities, uniforms, equipment, and other institute-specific expenses.
IMU’s course information lists a 1-year residential DNS program, while the 2026–27 prospectus also lists DNS programs at several affiliated institutes.
Yes. The IMU DNS pathway is described as DNS leading to B.Sc. (Applied Nautical Science), subject to completion of the prescribed academic, training, and certification requirements.
No. The listed ₹2.75 lakh covers the 1-year IMU-campus program. The subsequent sea training and professional certification stages are separate parts of the career pathway.
For the 2026–27 cycle, IMU issued a specific circular covering DNS admissions in affiliated colleges for sponsored candidates. The sponsorship conditions depend on the relevant company and institute.
Various affiliated DNS institutes are mentioned in the IMU prospectus 2026–27, such as AEMA, Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies, HIMT, IMI, Samundra Institute, Seven Islands, T.S. Rahaman, Tolani Maritime Institute, and others.