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Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai is a central university established in 2008 under an Act of Parliament, making it India’s first and only dedicated national maritime university. It is funded by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, and operates through multiple campuses in Chennai, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, and Visakhapatnam. The Chennai campus at Uthandi, East Coast Road, is the main and headquarters campus of the university.
As per NIRF University 2025, IMU is ranked 76.
The main Chennai campus is a 20-acre beachfront campus located on East Coast Road, Uthandi, overlooking the Bay of Bengal. Its seafront setting directly reflects the maritime character of the institution.
- B.Tech (Marine Engineering): 4-year flagship programme preparing graduates for careers as marine engineers aboard merchant ships
- B.Sc (Nautical Science): 3-year programme for aspirants targeting deck officer roles in the merchant navy
- Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS): Nautical officer training programme
- BBA (Logistics and Retail Management): 3-year programme for maritime logistics and supply chain careers
- MBA: 2-year postgraduate programme in International Transportation and Logistics Management and in Port and Shipping Management
- PG Diplomas: in Maritime and in Maritime Law
- M.S. (Research) and PhD: research programmes in maritime disciplines
Total fees for B.Tech Marine Engineering is INR 11,41,200 for four years. B.Sc Nautical Science fees are INR 8,66,200 for three years. MBA fees are INR 5,91,200 for two years.
In the 2024-25 placement season, 27 B.Tech Marine Engineering graduates were placed through campus drives with a median salary of INR 7 LPA and the highest offer of INR 24 LPA. Top recruiters include Maersk, Fleet Management Ltd, TORM, and MOL.
IMU Chennai Admission Dates 2027
Admissions for the 2026-27 batch at IMU Chennai have concluded. IMU CET 2026 was conducted in May 2026 and counselling was completed by August 2026. The next cycle for the 2027-28 batch follows the same annual IMU CET calendar.
| Event | 2026-27 Batch (Concluded) |
|---|---|
| IMU CET 2026 Exam | May 24 to 25, 2026 |
| IMU CET 2026 Results | June 2026 |
| IMU CET Counselling | July to August 2026 |
| Classes Commenced | August to September 2026 |
The tentative schedule for the 2027-28 batch follows the same calendar with IMU CET expected in May 2027. Dates are subject to official notification by IMU.
| Event | 2027-28 Batch (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| IMU CET 2027 Exam | May 2027 (expected) |
| IMU CET 2027 Results | June 2027 (expected) |
| IMU CET 2027 Counselling | July to August 2027 (expected) |
| Classes Commence | August to September 2027 (expected) |
The table below shows the entrance exam accepted for each programme at IMU Chennai.
| Programme | Entrance Exam | Admission Route |
|---|---|---|
| B.Tech Marine Engineering | IMU CET | IMU centralised counselling |
| B.Sc Nautical Science | IMU CET | IMU centralised counselling |
| DNS (Diploma Nautical Science) | IMU CET | IMU centralised counselling |
| BBA Logistics | IMU CET | IMU centralised counselling |
| MBA (both specialisations) | CAT or MAT or CMAT or IMU MAT | IMU direct admission |
| PG Diplomas | IMU entrance or valid PG qualification | IMU direct admission |
| MS Research and PhD | IMU PhD entrance or NET-JRF | IMU direct admission |
IMU Chennai Courses and Fees
IMU Chennai offers maritime-focused programmes from undergraduate to doctoral level. All programmes are under the central university structure and governed by UGC regulations. The fee structure below reflects the current rates from official fee data.
| Programme | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Tech Marine Engineering | 4 years | 10+2 PCM with 60% aggregate and 50% in English, via IMU CET | INR 11,41,200 |
| B.Sc Nautical Science | 3 years | 10+2 PCM with 60% aggregate and 50% in English, via IMU CET | INR 8,66,200 |
| Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) | 1 year | 10+2 PCM via IMU CET | INR 3,16,200 |
| BBA (Logistics and Retail Management) | 3 years | 10+2 any stream via IMU CET | INR 5,65,200 |
| MBA (ITLM and PSM) | 2 years | Bachelor’s degree with 50% aggregate, via CAT or MAT or CMAT | INR 5,91,200 |
| PG Diploma in Maritime | 1 year | Bachelor’s degree in relevant field | INR 1,45,000 |
| PG Diploma in Maritime Law | 1 year | LLB or equivalent | INR 81,200 |
| M.S. Research | 2 years | B.Tech or B.Sc in maritime discipline | INR 7,52,000 |
| PhD | 3 to 5 years | PG in relevant field with NET-JRF or IMU entrance | INR 1,02,000 to 2,52,000 |
All UG and DNS candidates must pass a Directorate General (DG) Shipping mandated medical fitness test in addition to academic eligibility. B.Tech Marine Engineering and B.Sc Nautical Science candidates also require normal colour vision as a prerequisite for the medical test.
IMU Chennai Admission Process
B.Tech Marine Engineering and B.Sc Nautical Science
These are the flagship UG programmes at IMU. Admission is through IMU CET, a national-level entrance test conducted annually by IMU.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with minimum 60% aggregate in PCM and minimum 50% in English, medical fitness as per DG Shipping norms, and normal colour vision mandatory
- IMU CET Cutoff 2026: General category qualifying percentile 60, OBC-NCL 54, SC and ST 45
- Selection stages: IMU CET score, choice filling, centralised allotment across all IMU campuses, medical examination, document verification, admission
Candidates with high IMU CET ranks who choose the Chennai campus are allotted through centralised counselling. B.Tech Marine Engineering at the Chennai campus is among the most preferred choices in IMU counselling due to the campus’s maritime infrastructure.
BBA Logistics and Retail Management
BBA admission also requires a valid IMU CET score, with 10+2 from any stream. The medical fitness test requirement is less stringent than for sea-going programmes. IMU CET cutoff for BBA is lower than for B.Tech and B.Sc programmes.
MBA Programmes
MBA in International Transportation and Logistics Management and Port and Shipping Management requires a bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% aggregate. Accepted entrance exams include CAT, MAT, CMAT, and IMU’s internal MAT. Candidates with maritime work experience are preferred for Port and Shipping Management.
IMU Chennai Placements
IMU Chennai B.Tech Marine Engineering graduates are placed on merchant navy vessels through campus drives by global shipping companies. In the 2024-25 season, 27 graduates were placed through on-campus recruitment with a median salary of INR 7 LPA and the highest offer at INR 24 LPA. A significant proportion of maritime programme graduates also secure berths directly through sailing companies without going through IMU’s formal campus placement cell.
The table below lists key recruiters at IMU Chennai by vessel type and company type.
| Company Type | Key Recruiters |
|---|---|
| Global Shipping Lines | Maersk, TORM, MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines) |
| Fleet Management Companies | Fleet Management Ltd, DocknDale |
| Shore-based Maritime Roles | Port authorities, maritime logistics firms, shipping agencies |
BBA and MBA graduates in logistics and port management join shore-based careers in shipping agencies, port operations, maritime law, and container logistics with companies such as port trusts, container terminal operators, and international freight forwarders. Starting salaries for shore-based maritime roles range from INR 4 to 8 LPA.
IMU Chennai Rankings
IMU is ranked 76 in NIRF University 2025, placing it among the top 100 central universities in India. In the Outlook-ICARE Rankings 2025, IMU secured the No. 1 position among maritime universities in India, recognising its unique specialisation and institutional depth in the maritime sector.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | University | 76 |
| Outlook-ICARE | Maritime Universities (India) | 1 |
IMU’s NIRF rank of 76 is evaluated against all central and state universities in India. Given its focused single-discipline mandate (maritime education), competing with larger comprehensive universities, a rank of 76 reflects strong research productivity and placement outcomes in its sector.
IMU Chennai Campus and Infrastructure
The IMU Chennai main campus occupies 20 acres on East Coast Road, Uthandi, 25 km south of Chennai Central. The beachfront location on the Bay of Bengal is directly relevant to the maritime character of the programmes offered. The campus includes teaching blocks, engineering laboratories, navigation simulators, and a marine workshop.
IMU Chennai’s navigation and propulsion simulators are critical training tools for both B.Sc Nautical Science and B.Tech Marine Engineering students. The campus also has a library specialising in maritime law, naval architecture, and ocean engineering literature. Hostels are not listed in the fee data for the Chennai campus, so students typically arrange accommodation in the Uthandi, Thiruvanmiyur, or Besant Nagar areas along the East Coast Road.
IMU Chennai vs IMU Visakhapatnam vs IMU Kolkata
IMU CET rank-holders fill campus preferences during centralised counselling. The three most sought-after IMU campuses for B.Tech Marine Engineering are Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Kolkata (MERI campus). All offer the same programme under the same university, making the choice primarily about location, port-industry proximity, and campus infrastructure.
| Parameter | IMU Chennai | IMU Visakhapatnam | IMU Kolkata (MERI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campus Type | Main campus (HQ) | Regional campus | Regional campus (Marine Engineering Research Institute) |
| Location | Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Campus Size | 20 acres (beachfront) | On-campus, port-adjacent | Established MERI campus |
| B.Tech Marine Engg Fees | INR 11,41,200 | Same (IMU norms) | Same (IMU norms) |
| Port Proximity | Ennore Port, Chennai Port nearby | Visakhapatnam Port | Kolkata Port, Haldia Port |
| Established | 2008 (main campus) | Post-2008 (IMU campus) | Older MERI, now IMU |
IMU Chennai’s main-campus status gives it access to the widest range of administrative resources, faculty depth, and recruiter relationships. IMU Visakhapatnam suits candidates from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha who want port proximity to one of India’s fastest-growing cargo ports. IMU Kolkata (MERI) has a longer maritime education legacy and suits candidates from eastern India.
IMU Chennai FAQs
Ques. What is IMU CET and is it mandatory for B.Tech Marine Engineering admission?
Ans. IMU CET (Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test) is the national entrance test conducted annually by IMU for admission to B.Tech Marine Engineering, B.Sc Nautical Science, DNS, and BBA programmes. It is mandatory for all UG admissions at IMU. Candidates with a valid IMU CET rank participate in centralised counselling to choose among all IMU campuses including Chennai.
Ques. What is the IMU CET 2026 cutoff for B.Tech Marine Engineering?
Ans. IMU CET 2026 qualifying cutoff percentile for UG programmes including B.Tech Marine Engineering was 60 for General category, 54 for OBC-NCL and General-EWS, and 45 for SC and ST categories. Actual seat allotment cutoffs for the Chennai campus are higher than the qualifying cutoff and depend on the number of candidates filling the Chennai campus as their choice.
Ques. What are the total B.Tech Marine Engineering fees at IMU Chennai?
Ans. The total B.Tech Marine Engineering fees at IMU Chennai is INR 11,41,200 for the full four-year programme, paid semester-wise. The first semester fee is INR 1,93,700. Subsequent semesters are charged at lower rates. Hostel accommodation is arranged separately in the vicinity of the campus.
Ques. What careers are available after B.Tech Marine Engineering from IMU?
Ans. B.Tech Marine Engineering graduates from IMU Chennai join merchant navy vessels as Junior Marine Engineers and progress through Certificate of Competency examinations to become Chief Engineers. Top shipping companies that recruit from IMU include Maersk, Fleet Management Ltd, TORM, MOL, and DocknDale. Shore-based career options include port engineering, naval architecture consultancy, and maritime surveying.
Ques. What is the NIRF ranking of Indian Maritime University?
Ans. IMU is ranked 76 in NIRF University 2025. In the Outlook-ICARE Rankings 2025, IMU holds the No. 1 position among maritime universities in India. IMU is the only central university in India dedicated exclusively to maritime education and is evaluated against all universities in the NIRF University category.
Ques. Does IMU Chennai have hostel facilities?
Ans. Hostel facilities are not listed in the current IMU Chennai fee structure. Students typically arrange accommodation in residential areas along East Coast Road near the Uthandi campus, including Thiruvanmiyur, Besant Nagar, and Sholinganallur, which have good connectivity to the campus.
Ques. Is a medical test required for IMU B.Tech Marine Engineering admission?
Ans. Yes. A mandatory DG Shipping medical fitness test is required for B.Tech Marine Engineering and B.Sc Nautical Science admission at IMU. The test checks for general physical fitness, normal colour vision, and vision standards as per DG Shipping norms. Candidates who do not clear the medical test are not eligible for sea-going programmes at IMU.
Comments
Found 43 Comments
Indian Maritime University (IMU) Chennai does not offer a B.Sc. Nursing or any nursing course. The Chennai campus provides maritime-related programs like B.Sc. (Nautical Science), B.Tech (Marine Engineering), MBA, and related courses, all focused on the shipping and maritime industry, not healthcare or nursing. Admission to these UG courses is through IMU-CET and is for a maritime career
Admissions to Diploma Nautical Science at IMU Chennai are based on IMU-CET. Candidates must have completed 10+2 with 60% to be eligible for admission. The total fees for the Diploma Nautical Science program at IMU Chennai is INR 2.85 Lakhs.
You have completed 10+2 with at least 60% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, and a minimum of 50% in English. Register for the Common Entrance Test (IMU-CET) on IMU's official website. This exam is mandatory for DNS admissions. Based on your IMU-CET rank, participate in the counseling process for seat allocation.
To apply for the exam, IMU CET 2024 application fee of INR 1000 for General /General-EWS/ OBC (NCL) and INR 700 for SC/ST candidates. Indian Maritime University (IMU) Chennai Admission 2024 is open for UG & PG courses and the last date for online registration is May 05, 2024 through IMU CET 2024
MU CET 2024 Application Form has been released on 18th March 2024 for various UG & PG courses. The Last date for Online Registration is 5th May 2024.
Since their MBAs are maritime-focused viz. Logistics, Port Management, IMU likely has its own entrance exam i.e. IMU CET to assess industry-prone knowledge. However, MAT/CAT/CMAT scores are also considered and will be exepmted from IMU CET.
Yes, admission to the UG/PG courses at IMU Chennai is done based on CUET UG/PG exam followed by counselling and you must have passed 12th with 50% or more in relevant discipline to be eligible.
Nautical science is all about ensuring safety, navigation and efficient operation of ships at sea. It helps you gain knowledge and skills to navigate, operate, and handle a ship. This includes using navigational tools, understanding weather patterns, and maritime laws.
The last date to apply for IMU CET is May 5th 2024 and is to be conducted by June 8th 2024.
Admissions to the various UG and PG programs (except the BBA course) offered by IMU and its affiliated institutes will be done through the IMU Common Entrance Test (CET) usually conducted in May/ June by the university. To apply for IMU CET, the registration fee is INR 1000 for General candidates and INR 700 for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates.
The admissions are available at present for PHD courses. The admission dates of other courses are not yet released. They are expected to be released soon.
Indian Maritime University CET 2024 Application Form will be released in the second week of April 2024.
Click on the below link to get the course wise fee structure of Indian Maritime University
Link: Indian Maritime University Chennai Courses and Fees
Yes, there are hostel facilities available in Indian Maritime University.
The per year fee of B.Tech. is INR 2.25 lacs. The total fee is INR 6.75 lacs.
If you want to follow courses based on marine, then you need to have passed 12th with 50% or more and then appear for IMU CET exam to get admission.
Click on the below link to get all the details regarding IMU Chennai courses, fees, scholarship, admission etc.
Link: IMU Chennai Overview
Aspirants seeking admission to 1 year Full-time Program should have passed 10+2/equivalent (PCM Average-Minimum 60%) with minimum of 50%marks in English subject in 10th/12th Examination.
Admission to DNS course at IMU Chennai is done based on IMU-CET exam followed by counselling.
b.tech fee structure?
The total fee of IMU B.Tech. is INR 6.75 lacs. The per year fee is INR 2.25 lacs.