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

B.Tech (Marine Engineering) at Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai is a 4-year full-time residential undergraduate engineering programme, one of the most prestigious and sought-after maritime courses in India. Offered under the School of Marine Engineering and Technology, the programme is designed in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers, covering marine machinery systems, marine diesel engines, naval architecture, ship stability, marine automation, and shipboard safety. The seat intake at IMU Chennai is 80, and the total course fee for the 4-year residential programme is Rs. 11,00,000, which includes tuition, hostel, and messing charges. Admission is strictly through IMU-CET, which is mandatory for all DGS-approved maritime programmes. Graduates are eligible to sail as Marine Engineers on Indian and foreign-going ships, making this one of the most career-oriented engineering programmes in the country.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are currently in progress. The IMU-CET 2026 registration closed on 24 April 2026, and the exam is scheduled for 24 May 2026 (Sunday) in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. Counselling and seat allotment will follow after results are declared, with the programme commencing on 1 August 2026. Only unmarried candidates are eligible for this programme, and all admitted students must produce a medical fitness certificate from a DGS-approved doctor at the time of certificate verification.

Key Points

• This is a DGS (Directorate General of Shipping)-approved programme, making IMU-CET rank mandatory for admission. No other entrance exam is accepted for this course.
• The programme is fully residential; hostel and messing charges are included in the annual fee of Rs. 2,75,000.
• Only unmarried candidates are eligible. Candidates are strongly advised to obtain a passport before joining, with the name matching the Class 10 certificate.
• Strict medical and eyesight standards apply as per Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2000. Candidates must get a fitness certificate from a DGS-approved doctor before applying.
• Semester VIII is dedicated entirely to practical training and project work, providing real shipboard or industry exposure.
• Graduates can pursue M.Tech Marine Technology, MBA (Port & Shipping Management), or MS by Research at IMU after completing this programme.
• Lateral entry to 2nd year is available for candidates with a 3-year Engineering Diploma in Marine/Mechanical/Electrical disciplines with minimum 55% marks.
• The programme is offered at IMU Chennai, Navi Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, and Visakhapatnam campuses.

IMU B.Tech (Marine Engineering) Fees

Tuition and Residential Fees (IMU Chennai Campus)

• The annual fee of Rs. 2,75,000 is for a Residential programme and includes hostel accommodation and messing charges. There is no separate hostel fee for this programme.

• Caution Deposit: Rs. 30,000 (refundable at the end of the programme, subject to deductions for damages if any).
• Counselling Registration Fee: Rs. 10,000 (non-refundable if a seat is allotted; Rs. 9,000 refunded if no seat is allotted).
• Programme Fee of Rs. 30,000 must be paid to confirm the allotted seat. This is non-refundable.
• First semester fee and caution deposit must be paid in full at the time of certificate verification.
• Semester fees from the 2nd semester onwards are due on the opening day of each semester. A penalty of Rs. 200 per day applies from the 16th to 45th day of delay. Names of defaulters are removed from rolls after the 45th day.
• Refund Policy: 100% of semester fee is refunded if withdrawal is made before the opening day of the first semester (before 1 August 2026). 90% is refunded if withdrawal is made from the opening day up to D+5 days. No refund is applicable after D+5 days.
• Candidates rejected on account of medical fitness are not eligible for any fee refund. Candidates are strongly advised to verify their medical fitness with a DGS-approved doctor before applying.

IMU B.Tech (Marine Engineering) Admission 2026

IMU B.Tech (Marine Engineering) Admission Schedule 2026-27

• Counselling portal for seat allotment (1st, 2nd, 3rd lists and spot counselling) will be activated after release of IMU-CET 2026 results. Exact counselling and certificate verification dates will be notified on the official IMU website (www.imu.edu.in). Candidates with CUET (UG) 2026 scores may be considered for residual seats through spot counselling only.

IMU-CET 2026 Exam Details (UG Technical Programmes)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as mandatory subjects, with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in PCM (55% for SC/ST candidates).
• Minimum 50% marks in English in Class 10 or Class 12 examination.
• 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.
• Only unmarried candidates are eligible.
• Candidates must be medically fit as per Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2000, including specific eyesight and hearing standards prescribed by the Directorate General of Shipping.
• Valid IMU-CET 2026 rank is mandatory.

Admission Process

• Register for IMU-CET 2026 on the official portal (imu.cbexams.com) before 24 April 2026.
• Select preferred exam city during the city selection window (04-10 May 2026).
• Appear for IMU-CET 2026 on 24 May 2026.
• Download IMU-CET Rank Certificate after results are declared.
• Register on IMU's online counselling portal by paying a counselling fee of Rs. 10,000.
• Fill in programme and campus preferences in order of priority.
• Seat allotment is done based on IMU-CET rank, category, and seat availability across multiple rounds (1st, 2nd, 3rd lists and spot counselling).
• Confirm allotted seat by paying the Programme Fee of Rs. 30,000 (non-refundable) within the stipulated deadline.
• Appear for certificate verification at the allotted campus with original documents, medical fitness certificate from a DGS-approved doctor, and passport (recommended).
• Pay the first semester fee and caution deposit at the time of certificate verification.
• Classes commence on 01 August 2026.

IMU B.Tech (Marine Engineering) Scholarships 2026

Scholarships Available for B.Tech (Marine Engineering) Students at IMU Chennai

Notes on Scholarships

• IMU facilitates scholarship applications but does not guarantee any scholarship. Availability is subject to eligibility criteria and availability of funds in respective endowments.
• Merit-based scholarships are awarded each semester (except the last) based on academic performance.
• The Mumbai Port Trust and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust endowments are specifically for SC/ST students of B.Tech Marine Engineering at IMU campuses.
• The MTT scholarship and MSC Award are specifically for female students/cadets in maritime programmes.
• State government scholarships require students to apply through respective state portals with valid income and caste certificates.
• For central government scholarships (PM Scholarship, NSP), students must apply through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
• Application deadlines for state and central scholarships vary; students are advised to check respective portals at the start of each academic year.

As mentioned, IMU Chennai offers admission to B.Tech Marine Engineering program based on IMU-CET rank. IMU Chennai IMU-CET Cutoff 2025 rank is 1343 for the General category. Further, IMU-CET cutoff rank is 8709 for SC , 14146 for ST , 3131 for General EWS and 2754 for OBC NCL category. Check IMU Chennai Cutoff

IMU Chennai B.Tech Marine Engineering Cutoff Year-wise Trends

The section below shows year-wise trends in IMU Chennai B.Tech Marine Engineering Cutoff. According to year-wise trends, admission to the IMU Chennai B.Tech Marine Engineering program in 2025 was closed at the 14146 rank , whereas in 2024, the closing rank was 18016 across all categories.

IMU B.Tech (Marine Engineering) FAQs

Ques. Is IMU-CET mandatory for B.Tech Marine Engineering at IMU Chennai, or can I apply with JEE Main scores?

Ans. IMU-CET is strictly mandatory for admission to B.Tech Marine Engineering at IMU Chennai. Unlike many other engineering programmes, this is a DGS (Directorate General of Shipping)-approved programme, and as per DGS Training Circular 12 of 2020, all Maritime Training Institutes regulated by DG Shipping must admit candidates based on IMU-CET rank. JEE Main scores are not accepted for this programme. The IMU-CET 2026 for UG Technical Programmes consists of 200 MCQs covering English, General Aptitude, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at Class 12 level. The exam is conducted in CBT mode on 24 May 2026. Candidates must register on the official IMU portal (imu.cbexams.com) before 24 April 2026.

Ques. What are the medical and eyesight requirements for B.Tech Marine Engineering at IMU, and what happens if I fail the medical test?

Ans. B.Tech Marine Engineering at IMU has strict medical standards as prescribed by the Directorate General of Shipping under the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2000. For eyesight, candidates must have Distance Vision unaided of 0.5 (6/12) in each eye, or 0.67 (6/9) in the better eye and 0.33 (6/18) in the other eye. Normal colour vision (tested by Ishihara Test Chart) is mandatory. Candidates must also meet hearing standards. The medical certificate must be obtained from a DGS-approved doctor. Critically, if a candidate fails the medical test after paying fees, no refund is given. IMU strongly advises all candidates to get a medical fitness check from a DGS-approved doctor before applying for counselling to avoid financial loss.

Ques. The B.Tech Marine Engineering programme is described as Residential. What does this include, and are there any additional charges?

Ans. The Residential designation means that hostel accommodation and messing (food) charges are included in the annual fee of Rs. 2,75,000. There is no separate hostel fee for this programme. The total 4-year fee is Rs. 11,00,000, which covers tuition, hostel, and mess. Additionally, a one-time Programme Fee of Rs. 30,000 (non-refundable) is paid at the time of seat confirmation, and a Caution Deposit of Rs. 30,000 (refundable at the end of the programme) is paid at the time of certificate verification. Candidates are also advised to have a passport, as sea-time training and practical exposure may involve travel. Bank service charges are applicable as per prevailing rates.

Ques. Only unmarried candidates are eligible for B.Tech Marine Engineering. Is this rule strictly enforced, and does it apply throughout the course?

Ans. Yes, the unmarried condition is strictly enforced at the time of admission to B.Tech Marine Engineering at IMU. This is a standard requirement for DGS-approved pre-sea programmes in India, aligned with industry norms for seafarers. Candidates must declare their marital status at the time of application. While IMU's prospectus specifies this as an eligibility condition at the time of admission, candidates are advised to check the latest prospectus and official notifications for any updates to this policy. This condition applies to both male and female candidates.

Ques. What is the career path after completing B.Tech Marine Engineering from IMU Chennai, and how soon can I start sailing?

Ans. After completing B.Tech Marine Engineering from IMU, graduates are eligible to join ships as Junior Engineers or Engine Cadets. The path to becoming a certified Marine Engineer involves obtaining a Certificate of Competency (CoC) from the Directorate General of Shipping, which requires sea service and passing DGS examinations. Typically, graduates start as Engine Cadets or 4th Engineers, progressing to Chief Engineer over 8-12 years. Onshore career options include roles as Marine Superintendent, Ship Surveyor, Marine Consultant, Port Manager, and Marine Project Manager. Graduates can also pursue M.Tech Marine Technology or MBA (Port & Shipping Management) at IMU for higher studies. Starting salaries for sea-going roles are significantly higher than most shore-based engineering jobs, often ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 per month for entry-level positions on ships.

Ques. Can I get admission to B.Tech Marine Engineering at IMU through lateral entry, and what is the process?

Ans. Yes, lateral entry to the 2nd year of B.Tech Marine Engineering is available at IMU. Eligible candidates include those with a 3-year Engineering Diploma in Marine, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electrical and Electronics disciplines from AICTE-approved or State Board of Technical Education-approved colleges, with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in the final year. A 4-year Diploma in Shipbuilding Engineering with 55% marks is also eligible. Additionally, candidates who have completed 1st year training under the Alternate Training Scheme approved by DG Shipping may also apply (not applicable to MERI). Candidates must also have a minimum of 50% marks in English at Class 10 or 12 level. For lateral entry admissions, candidates must approach the specific IMU campus directly, as the admission mechanism is decided by the respective campus.