Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] {Lateral} (Marine Engineering)

The B.Tech (Marine Engineering) Lateral Entry programme at Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai is a 3-year full-time residential undergraduate engineering programme that allows diploma holders to directly enter the second year of the 4-year B.Tech (Marine Engineering) programme. The programme is designed in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers, and covers Marine Machinery Systems, Marine Diesel Engines, Marine Turbo Machinery, Marine Boilers, Naval Architecture, Shipboard Power Generation, Control Engineering, and Marine Automation. The annual fee is Rs. 2,75,000 (residential), making the total tuition fee for 3 years Rs. 8,25,000. Admission is through IMU-CET 2026, which is scheduled for 24 May 2026. The programme is popular among diploma holders in Marine, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering who wish to obtain a full B.Tech degree and pursue a career as a Marine Engineer on Indian and foreign-going ships, or in shore-based maritime roles.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are currently in progress. IMU-CET 2026 registration closed on 24 April 2026, and the exam is scheduled for 24 May 2026. Counselling and seat allotment are expected in June-July 2026. The academic session is expected to commence from 01 August 2026.

Key Points

• The Lateral Entry route allows eligible diploma holders to directly join the 2nd year of B.Tech (Marine Engineering), completing the degree in 3 years instead of 4 years.
• The programme is residential; students are required to stay in the IMU hostel as part of the maritime training discipline, which includes physical training, parade, and strict attendance requirements.
• The B.Tech (Marine Engineering) at IMU is approved by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) and is aligned with STCW conventions, making graduates eligible to sail as Marine Engineers on international vessels.
• Graduates must obtain a Certificate of Competency (CoC) from DGS to work as a Marine Engineer Officer on ships; the B.Tech degree is the academic qualification required for this.
• The programme includes practical training in Semester VIII (final semester) aboard ships, which is mandatory for the award of the degree.
• IMU Chennai is a Central University under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, giving the degree strong recognition in the global maritime industry.

IMU B.Tech Lateral Fees

Fee Structure

• The annual fee of Rs. 2,75,000 is for the residential programme and includes hostel and mess charges.
• Students are required to stay in the hostel as the programme is residential.
• The Admission Registration Fee of Rs. 10,000 is non-refundable and is charged once at the time of admission.
• The Caution Deposit of Rs. 30,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the institution, subject to no dues.
• Fee is payable semester-wise: Odd Semester total is Rs. 1,52,500 (Programme Fee Rs. 30,000 + Semester Fee Rs. 1,22,500) and Even Semester fee is Rs. 1,22,500, totalling Rs. 2,75,000 per year.
• Application/Registration fee for IMU-CET: Rs. 1,000 for General/OBC-NCL/EWS candidates and Rs. 700 for SC/ST candidates (non-refundable).
• Lateral Entry students join the 2nd year directly, so the total tuition fee is for 3 years (6 semesters) instead of 4 years (8 semesters).

IMU B.Tech Lateral Admission 2026

IMU B.Tech Lateral Entry (Marine Engineering) 2026-27 Admission Dates (Chennai Campus)

• Based on the 2025-26 cycle, the first list was released on 11 June 2025, seat confirmation deadline was 15 June 2025, and the second list was released on 30 June 2025.
• Candidates should regularly check the official portal at imu.cbexams.com for updates.

IMU-CET 2026 Exam Details

• IMU-CET is mandatory for admission to B.Tech (Marine Engineering) Lateral Entry at IMU campuses.
• The exam is a Computer-Based Test of 200 MCQs covering Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, English, Aptitude, and General Knowledge, with a duration of 180 minutes and negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must hold a 3-year Engineering Diploma in Marine, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electrical and Electronics Engineering from colleges approved by AICTE or State Board of Technical Education, with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in the last year of the Diploma course.
• Alternatively, candidates with a 4-year Diploma in Shipbuilding Engineering from AICTE/State Board-approved colleges with minimum 55% aggregate marks in the last year are eligible.
• Alternatively, candidates who have completed 1st year training from the Alternate Training Scheme approved by DG Shipping are eligible (not applicable to MERI).
• Candidates must be medically fit as per the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2000, including eyesight and hearing standards prescribed by DGS.
• A medical certificate from a DGS-approved doctor is required at the time of admission.
• Age limit: Maximum 25 years for General male candidates (as on 01 August 2026); 27 years for General female candidates; relaxation of 3 years for OBC-NCL and 5 years for SC/ST candidates.

Admission Process

• Register for IMU-CET 2026 at imu.cbexams.com (registration closed 24 April 2026).
• Appear for IMU-CET 2026 on 24 May 2026 (200 MCQs, 180 minutes, negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer).
• Download IMU-CET Rank Card from the official portal after results.
• Register for counselling on the IMU counselling portal and fill in campus/programme preferences, selecting B.Tech (Marine Engineering) Lateral Entry.
• Seat allotment is done through multiple merit list rounds based on IMU-CET rank.
• Confirm allotted seat by paying the Programme Fee of Rs. 30,000 within the stipulated deadline.
• Undergo medical examination by a DGS-approved doctor and submit the fitness certificate.
• Complete document/certificate verification at the allotted IMU campus.
• Pay the remaining first semester fee and caution deposit to secure admission.
• Spot counselling is conducted for seats remaining vacant after all merit list rounds.

IMU B.Tech Lateral Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

• IMU facilitates scholarship applications but does not guarantee any scholarship.
• Students must apply directly through the respective state/central government portals.
• Applications for most government scholarships open after the academic session begins (typically August-September).
• Students should apply promptly on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) and respective state portals.
• Port Trust endowment scholarships are awarded based on academic performance each semester; students should enquire with the IMU administration at the time of joining.

IMU B.Tech Lateral FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between the regular B.Tech (Marine Engineering) and the Lateral Entry B.Tech (Marine Engineering) at IMU Chennai?

Ans. The regular B.Tech (Marine Engineering) is a 4-year programme starting from the 1st year, open to Class 12 (PCM) students with 60% aggregate. The Lateral Entry B.Tech is a 3-year programme where eligible diploma holders directly join the 2nd year, skipping the 1st year. Both programmes lead to the same B.Tech (Marine Engineering) degree from IMU, which is recognised by DGS and STCW. The total fee for lateral entry students is for 3 years (Rs. 8,25,000 tuition) instead of 4 years. Both programmes are residential and follow the same curriculum from the 2nd year onwards.

Ques. Which diploma streams are eligible for Lateral Entry into B.Tech (Marine Engineering) at IMU?

Ans. Candidates with a 3-year Engineering Diploma in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Electrical and Electronics Engineering from AICTE/State Board-approved colleges with minimum 55% aggregate in the last year are eligible. Additionally, candidates with a 4-year Diploma in Shipbuilding Engineering with 55% aggregate, or those who have completed 1st year training from a DGS-approved Alternate Training Scheme, are also eligible. Diplomas in other streams such as Civil Engineering or Computer Science are not eligible for lateral entry into Marine Engineering.

Ques. Is IMU-CET required for Lateral Entry admission? What is the exam pattern?

Ans. Yes, IMU-CET is mandatory for Lateral Entry admission to B.Tech (Marine Engineering) at IMU campuses. The exam is a Computer-Based Test of 200 MCQs covering Physics (50 marks), Mathematics (50 marks), Chemistry (25 marks), English (25 marks), Aptitude (25 marks), and General Knowledge (25 marks), with a total duration of 180 minutes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Lateral entry candidates compete in the same IMU-CET as regular B.Tech candidates, but seat allotment is done separately for lateral entry seats.

Ques. What are the medical fitness requirements for B.Tech (Marine Engineering) at IMU? Can I join with spectacles?

Ans. Medical fitness is a critical requirement for Marine Engineering at IMU. Candidates must meet the standards prescribed under the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2000. For Marine Engineering (engine side), the eyesight requirement is distance vision unaided 6/12 in each eye, or 6/9 in the better eye and 6/18 in the other eye. Glasses are permitted for Marine Engineering (unlike Nautical Science where colour blindness is a disqualifier). Candidates must obtain a medical fitness certificate from a DGS-approved doctor before admission. It is strongly advisable to get a pre-medical checkup done before investing time in IMU-CET preparation.

Ques. What career options are available after B.Tech (Marine Engineering) from IMU Chennai?

Ans. After completing B.Tech (Marine Engineering) from IMU, graduates can sail as Junior Engineer Officers on Indian and foreign-going ships after obtaining a Certificate of Competency (CoC) from DGS. With experience, they can progress to 4th Engineer, 3rd Engineer, 2nd Engineer, and eventually Chief Engineer. Shore-based career options include Marine Superintendent, Ship Surveyor, Marine Consultant, Port Engineer, Marine Project Manager, and roles in shipyards and offshore companies. Graduates can also pursue M.Tech in Marine Engineering, MBA in Port and Shipping Management, or MBA in International Transportation and Logistics Management from IMU itself.

Ques. Is the B.Tech (Marine Engineering) at IMU Chennai a residential programme? What is hostel life like?

Ans. Yes, the B.Tech (Marine Engineering) at IMU Chennai is a fully residential programme. All students are required to stay in the hostel on campus. The annual fee of Rs. 2,75,000 includes hostel and mess charges. Campus life involves strict discipline including morning physical training (PT), parade, mandatory attendance (85%), and a structured daily routine. The campus is located on East Coast Road, Semmencherry, Chennai, near the sea. While the discipline can be demanding, students develop strong professional habits, teamwork, and maritime ethos that are highly valued in the shipping industry.