Merchant Navy provides a great opportunity for students who want to get started with their careers after 12th (PCM) and wish to grab this opportunity to work on a ship and travel the world. DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science) is a course that you can opt for after the 12th PCM that provides you with proper training and all the learnings that a candidate requires to work on the ship in just one year. These DNS Colleges in India not only teach you the theory part of the work but also provide you the practical training that will make you ready for any situation onboard.

About DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science) Course:

Diploma in Nautical Science is an Indian Maritime University (IMU) affiliated pre-sea training program, certified by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). The duration of this course is 1 year, and it takes place at a DGS-approved Maritime Academy. This 1-year course of pre-sea training is divided into two semesters, each of 6 months.

After completing both semesters, you have to do a Structured Shipboard Instruction Program (SSTP), which consists of 18 months of onboard training. Upon completion, you will receive a pre-sea completion certificate and are qualified to join a ship as a deck cadet. After completing the training, you have to appear for DGS exams, which will make you qualified to get the degree of B.Sc. in Nautical Science.

Top 10 D.G. Shipping Approved Diploma in Nautical Science – DNS Colleges in India

There are a lot of institutes in India that provide training for the DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science) Course. However, while selecting a college, you should take care of one important thing – the institute should be D.G. Shipping Approved. Otherwise, your certification will not be valid and you won’t be able to join the Merchant Navy.

Also, you can pursue the DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science) course either from sponsored or non-sponsored colleges. 

• Sponsored colleges are the ones where you can get admission only after obtaining a sponsorship letter from a shipping company. These colleges generally have their own shipping company, where they send their students for on-board training. If not, they are tied up with other shipping companies to offer on-board training. A sponsorship letter is given only after you clear the sponsorship exams.
• As opposed to sponsored colleges, you won’t be required to appear for any examination to get admission in a majority of the non-sponsored colleges. Some colleges may conduct their written tests. Non-sponsored colleges only provide pre-sea training and they don’t guarantee onboard training. However, some colleges have the facility of campus placements.

Below, we have listed all the colleges that make for the top 10 maritime institutes for Diploma in Nautical Science – DNS colleges in India.

1. Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (AEMA)

About College: Anglo-eastern Maritime Academy is located in Karjat, Maharashtra. It is owned by Anglo-Eastern Group which is a Leading Ship Management Company operating more than 600 ships. After completing the course, candidates get placed with one of the Anglo-Eastern ships. 

Course Category: Sponsored

Fees for DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science): INR 7,60,000/-

Website: Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy DNS Course – Join Merchant Navy

Also Read: Everything about IMU-CET 2024

2. The Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies (GEIMS) 

About College: The Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies is located in Lonavala, Maharashtra. GEIMS has a close association with the maritime industry and is aimed to give India world-class seafarers. The institute is one of the oldest of its kind and enjoys a respectable reputation in the industry. It offers Placement opportunities with GE Shipping or leading International Shipping companies.

Course Category: Sponsored

Fees for DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science):  INR 6,51,512/-

Website:  Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies DNS Course

3. Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS) 

About College: Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies is located in Lonavala, Maharashtra. It is one of India’s advanced centers of marine engineering (marine propulsion) and navigation. The institution offers extensive education and training in pre-sea and post-sea training for candidates ranging from cadets to masters of ships. The institute is sponsored by Executive Ship Management Private Limited.

Course Category: Sponsored

Fees for DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science): INR 6,76,800/-

Website: Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies DNS Course

4. Maritime Training Institute by Shipping Corporation of India 

About College: Maritime Training Institute by Shipping Corporation of India is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is an integral part of The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) – one of the largest Indian shipping companies. MTI offers a wide range of training (Pre-sea and Post-sea courses, STCW courses, and Value Added Courses) to maritime sector workers, including SCI and other renowned Indian companies.

Course Category: Sponsored

Fees for DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science): INR 6,50,000/-

Website: SCI MTI DNS Course – Join Merchant Navy in India

5. Tolani Maritime Institute

About College: Tolani Maritime Institute is located in Pune, Maharashtra. After completing the course, candidates get placed with Fleet Management, MSC,  Nortrans, Scorpio Marine Management, Tolani Shipping, TORM, V-Ships, or Wilhelmsen Ship Management.

Course Category: Sponsored

Fees for DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science): INR 6,07,000/-

Website: Tolani Maritime Institute DNS Course – Join Merchant Navy

6. Seven Islands Maritime Training Institute

About College: Seven Islands Maritime Training Institute is located in Kansal, Maharashtra. It is run by a Mumbai-based liquid seaborne logistics company that has been operating ocean-going tankers for the past 20 years. After completing the course, candidates get placed with Seven Islands Shipping. 

Course Category: Sponsored

Fees for DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science): INR 7,25,000/-

Website: https://simtinstitute.org/

Contact: Directly contact the institute for booking the course. Contact No.: +91 9136947131

Also Read: 10 Important Qualities a Seafarer must Possess

7. TS Rahaman Institute

About College: Training Ship Rahaman Academy is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India is one of the oldest maritime training institutes in the country. Pre-Sea, Pre-Sea + STCW, Post-Sea, and Value-added Courses are among the 40 courses offered by this institute. For Admissions, Candidates can apply online from the official website of the academy. It offers sponsorship and provides placement in Anglo-Eastern Group, Fleet Management, and more shipping companies.

Course Category: Sponsored 

Fees for DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science): INR 3,95,000/-

Website: TS Rahaman DNS Course – Join Merchant Navy in India

8. International Maritime Institute

About College: International Maritime Institute is located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The institute is associated with shipping companies including Maersk, MSC ship management, Fleet Management, MSC Cruises, etc. After finishing their training at IMI, the sponsored cadets will embark on the sponsoring company’s ships for organized onboard training.

Course Category: Sponsored 

Fees for DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science): INR 6,20,000/-

Website: International Maritime Instituthttps://imi.edu.in/course/pre-sea-courses/e

DNS Course – Join Merchant Navy

9. Applied Research International (ARI)

About College: Applied Research International is located in New Delhi. Sponsorship tests are held for two separate deck cadet batches that start in February and August every year. The institute places its students with shipping companies like MSC Ship Management, Fleet Management, VShips, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, Wallem Ship Management, and more.

Course Category: Sponsored

Fees for DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science): INR 5,00,000/-

Website: ARI DNS Course – Join Merchant Navy in India

10. Indian Maritime Institute (IMU) Kolkata Campus

About College: Indian Maritime Institute is located in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Indian Maritime University – Kolkata Campus comprises two premier institutions- the Marine Engineering & Research Institute (MERI, Kolkata) and the Indian Institute of Port Management (IIPM, Kolkata). 

Course Category: Sponsored

Fees for DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science): For boys, the fees is INR 2,20,000/-; whereas for girls, the fees is INR 1,40,500/-

Website: Indian Maritime Institute Kolkata Campus – Join Merchant Navy

If you wish to get admission in any of the above colleges or want to prepare for sponsorship exams, you can contact us at Rife Consultancy and we’ll help you out!

Also Read:
Top 10 D.G. Approved BSc Nautical Science Colleges in India: Join Merchant Navy
What is Merchant Navy: Career, Scope & High Salary Jobs in India