Career Path in Merchant Navy after IMU-CET 2024

It is a pretty typical doubt that an applicant has when considering joining the merchant navy. In this blog, we’ve attempted to clarify how the Merchant Navy hierarchy works when a candidate passes the IMU-CET exam and enrolls in courses for pre-sea training.

Courses to join Merchant Navy after IMU-CET 2024

To join as a deck officer

In order to join the Merchant Navy after 12th PCM as a deck officer, you can take the following 2 courses:

B.Sc. in Nautical Science (3 year degree course)
Diploma in Nautical Science (1 year diploma course)

To join as an engineer

In order to join the Merchant Navy after 12th PCM as an engineer, you can take the following course:

B.Tech in Marine Engineering (4 year degree course)

Departments in Merchant Navy after IMU-CET 2024

Deck Department

This department is primarily in charge of tasks such as ship navigation and watchkeeping operations such as mooring, un-mooring, grounding, and ballasting. Individuals in this department are also responsible for the upkeep of life-saving equipment such as life-rafts, lifeboats, and rescue boats.

One has to take up either B.Sc in Nautical Science or DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science) after class 12th to pursue this stream in Merchant Navy.

Engine Department

The Engine Department or the Marine Engineers are in charge of the maintenance of the principal machinery onboard, such as the main engine, purifiers, air-conditioning, boilers, turbochargers, compressors, and generators. People in the engine department are also responsible for inspection, repairing, and cleaning operations.

To work in the engine department in Merchant Navy, one has to take up B.Tech in Marine Engineering after completing 12th.

Details of Courses to join Merchant Navy in India after IMU-CET 2024

Diploma in Nautical Science

DNS is a 1-year pre-sea training program that is divided into two semesters, each of 6 months. The eligibility criteria is as follows:

Qualifications: 12th Pass with at least 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM), and 50% marks in English
Age Limit: 17.5- 25 years (As on the date of commencement of course)
Medical standards: Candidates should be medically and physically fit. A full medical check-up through a Panel Doctor approved by D.G Shipping will be undertaken. A complete eyesight test will also be conducted in which the distance vision should be 6/6 with no color blindness.

B.Sc. in Nautical Science

B.Sc. in Nautical Science is a three-year undergraduate program, after which the student can join a ship as a trainee cadet officer (commonly referred to as a deck cadet). The eligibility criteria is as follows:

Qualifications: 12th Pass with at least 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM), and 50% marks in English (in both 10th & 12th)
Age Limit: 17.5- 25 years (As on the date of commencement of course)
Medical standards: Candidates should be medically and physically fit. A full medical check-up through a Panel Doctor approved by D.G Shipping will be undertaken. A complete eyesight test will also be conducted in which the distance vision should be 6/6 with no color blindness.

B.Tech in Marine Engineering

B.tech Marine Engineering is a 4-year degree course comprising 8 semesters and includes training on Ship-in-Campus during the seventh semester. The eligibility criteria is as follows:

Qualifications: 12th Pass with at least 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM), and 50% marks in English (in both 10th & 12th)
Age Limit: 17.5- 25 years (As on the date of commencement of course)
Medical standards: Candidates should be medically and physically fit. A full medical check-up through a Panel Doctor approved by D.G Shipping will be undertaken. A complete eyesight test will also be conducted in which the distance vision should be 6/6 with no color blindness.

Selection Process to join Merchant Navy Courses after IMU CET 2024

DNS, B.Sc. in Nautical Science, and B.Tech in Marine Engineering

IMU-CET and Sponsorship: Eligible candidates have to appear for the IMU-CET exams. Rank-holding candidates must get sponsorship through any registered shipping company before registering for this course.
Panel interview: Shortlisted candidates get called for the admission procedure.
Medical examination: Selected candidates will undergo a medical screening to test their eyesight and physical fitness.
Pre-sea training: Candidates who clear the medical examination will begin with pre-sea training.

IMU-CET exams and Admissions

In order to get admission in DNS, B.Sc. In Nautical Science, and B.Tech in Marine Engineering, you need to appear for IMU-CET exams (Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test). The exam comprises of five subjects: Physics, Mathematics, English, Chemistry, and General Knowledge, and the exam is typically conducted online with no negative markings.

Some details of the IMU-CET exam are as follows:

Exam mode: The examination will be conducted through online (CBT) mode.
Type of questions: This exam consists of multiple choice questions.
Duration: The exam duration will be 3 hours.
Number of questions: For Under Graduate courses 200 questions will be asked. For MBA and M.Tech courses 120 questions will be asked.
Marking scheme: One mark will be awarded for each correct answer.
Negative marking: There will be no negative marking.

Learn more about the exam here.

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