Master of Science [M.S] (Research)

The M.S. (By Research) programme at Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai, is a 2-year full-time residential postgraduate research programme designed to develop advanced research skills and independent research capabilities in the maritime domain. It is offered under four schools: School of Marine Engineering and Technology, School of Nautical Sciences, School of Maritime Management, and School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. The annual fee is Rs. 3,55,000 per year, making the total programme cost Rs. 7,10,000 for 2 years. Admission is through a Written Test and Interview conducted by IMU, with exemptions for UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE qualified candidates. The programme is ideal for graduates who wish to pursue research in maritime-related fields before committing to a full Ph.D., or for those who want to build a strong research foundation for academic and industry careers in the maritime sector.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch have already been completed (programme commenced March 2027). The 2027-28 M.S. (By Research) admission notification is expected to be released around November 2027, based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points

• The M.S. (By Research) is a research-by-thesis programme, distinct from a taught M.Sc. Students work under a supervisor on an original research problem in the maritime domain.
• The minimum duration is 2 years and the maximum is 3 years, with a possible 1-year extension granted by the Competent Authority.
• The programme is residential, and the annual fee of Rs. 3,55,000 includes hostel and mess charges (for outstation students availing hostel, an additional Rs. 70,000 per year is charged for non-residential programmes; however, M.S. By Research is listed as residential).
• Mariners holding a Master or MEO Class I Certificate of Competency are eligible to apply directly without a postgraduate degree, making this programme accessible to experienced maritime professionals.
• Candidates who qualify UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, CEED, or CAT are exempted from the written entrance test and are selected based on Interview alone.
• The M.S. (By Research) degree awarded by IMU also qualifies a candidate for direct admission to the Ph.D. programme at IMU, providing a clear academic progression pathway.
• Research areas include Marine Engineering, Nautical Science, Naval Architecture, Port and Shipping Management, Maritime Law, Maritime Security, Blue Economy, Logistics, and other interdisciplinary maritime areas.

IMU MS (Research) Fees

Fee Structure

• The annual fee is Rs. 3,55,000 per year (Programme Fee Rs. 30,000 + Odd Semester Rs. 1,62,500 + Even Semester Rs. 1,62,500).
• Caution Deposit of Rs. 30,000 is refundable at the end of the programme, subject to deductions for any dues.
• Admission Fee of Rs. 10,000 is a one-time non-refundable charge.
• The M.S. (By Research) programme is residential.
• Hostel and mess charges are included in the semester fee.
• For M.S. (By Research) in Full and Part Time mode, the annual fee is Rs. 1,50,000 (Programme Fee Rs. 30,000 per year) as per the research programme brochure.
• However, the official IMU course page lists the residential annual fee as Rs. 3,55,000.
• Candidates are advised to verify the latest fee structure directly with IMU at academics.research@imu.ac.in before admission.

IMU MS (Research) Admission 2027

IMU Chennai M.S. (By Research) - Admission Schedule

• The 2027-28 M.S. (By Research) admission notification has not yet been released as of April 2027.
• Candidates are advised to regularly check the official IMU website (www.imu.edu.in) for the upcoming notification.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualification: A UG degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent CGPA. Mariners holding a Master or MEO Class I Certificate of Competency are also eligible without a postgraduate degree.
• Relaxation: A relaxation of 5% marks is applicable for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-abled/EWS candidates as per Government of India norms.
• Part-Time Specific: Seafarers must hold a Master or MEO Class I Certificate of Competency and submit proof of active seagoing service. Non-seafarer shore-based candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their current employer.

Admission Process

• Watch for the official M.S. (By Research) admission notification on the IMU website (www.imu.edu.in), typically released in November each year alongside the Ph.D. notification.
• Register online through the IMU research admission portal and pay the application fee.
• Appear for the Written Entrance Test (50% Research Methodology + 50% subject-specific questions). Candidates with UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/CEED/CAT qualifications are exempted from the written test.
• Candidates scoring 50% or above in the written test are shortlisted for the Interview/Viva-Voce.
• Final selection is based on 70% weightage for written test marks and 30% for interview performance (for non-exempted candidates), or 100% interview weightage for exempted candidates.
• Selected candidates are issued a provisional admission letter and must complete document verification and fee payment before the programme commencement date.
• For queries, contact: academics.research@imu.ac.in or call 044-2453-9038.

IMU MS (Research) Scholarships 2027

Available Scholarships

• Unlike the Ph.D. programme, IMU does not offer dedicated University Fellowships specifically for M.S. (By Research) scholars.
• However, candidates holding UGC-JRF or CSIR-JRF can receive their fellowship amounts directly from UGC/CSIR.
• Candidates are encouraged to explore project-based fellowships from CSIR, DST, DBT, and other national funding agencies, as research projects at IMU may offer stipends to enrolled scholars.
• State government post-matric scholarships are available for eligible students from all states.
• Students must apply through their respective state scholarship portals after admission.

IMU MS (Research) FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between M.S. (By Research) and Ph.D. at IMU Chennai, and which should I choose?

Ans. The M.S. (By Research) is a 2-year postgraduate research programme that leads to a Master of Science degree, while the Ph.D. is a doctoral programme with a minimum duration of 3 years. The M.S. (By Research) is suitable for candidates who want to develop research skills at the postgraduate level before pursuing a Ph.D., or for those who want a research-based qualification without committing to the longer Ph.D. journey. Importantly, the M.S. (By Research) degree awarded by IMU qualifies a candidate for direct admission to the Ph.D. programme at IMU, providing a clear academic progression pathway. The annual fee for M.S. (By Research) is Rs. 3,55,000 per year (total Rs. 7,10,000 for 2 years), which is higher than the Ph.D. fee of Rs. 30,000 per year for the first 3 years. Candidates who are confident about pursuing a doctorate should directly apply for Ph.D., while those who want to first establish their research credentials should opt for M.S. (By Research).

Ques. Is the M.S. (By Research) at IMU a taught programme or a thesis-based programme?

Ans. The M.S. (By Research) at IMU is entirely a research-by-thesis programme, not a taught programme. Students are required to work under a faculty supervisor on an original research problem in the maritime domain and submit a thesis at the end of the programme. There are no regular classroom lectures or coursework components as in a conventional M.Sc. programme. The programme is designed to develop independent research capabilities, and students are expected to contribute original knowledge to their chosen research area. This makes it fundamentally different from a regular M.Sc. degree and is more aligned with the research culture of a Ph.D. programme.

Ques. Can a mariner (seafarer) with a Master or MEO Class I Certificate apply for M.S. (By Research) at IMU without a postgraduate degree?

Ans. Yes, mariners holding a Master Certificate of Competency or MEO Class I Certificate of Competency are specifically eligible to apply for the M.S. (By Research) programme at IMU without requiring a postgraduate degree. This is a special provision that recognizes the extensive practical expertise of experienced maritime professionals. Such candidates are also eligible to apply for the Part Time mode of the programme, which allows them to continue their seafaring career while pursuing research. For Part Time admission, seafarers must submit proof of active seagoing service (copy of COC and CDC for the six months prior to the last date of admission) and are exempted from the NOC requirement.

Ques. What research areas are available for M.S. (By Research) at IMU Chennai, and how does one identify a supervisor?

Ans. IMU offers M.S. (By Research) across a wide range of maritime-related areas including Marine Engineering, Nautical Science, Naval Architecture and Ship Building, Dredging and Harbour Engineering, Port and Shipping Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Maritime Security and Piracy, Maritime Law and Insurance, Blue Economy, Autonomous Shipping, Cyber Security for Seaports, Seafarer Mental Health, and Green Technology. To identify a supervisor, candidates should refer to the List of Empaneled Guides published on the IMU admissions page. It is strongly advisable to contact potential supervisors before applying to discuss research interests, ongoing projects, and availability. The research committee at IMU assigns supervisors based on research area alignment and faculty capacity.

Ques. Are UGC-NET or GATE qualified candidates exempted from the IMU M.S. (By Research) written entrance test?

Ans. Yes, candidates who have qualified UGC-NET (both JRF and Lectureship categories), CSIR-NET (both JRF and Lectureship categories), GATE, CEED, or CAT are fully exempted from the IMU written entrance test for M.S. (By Research) admission. Their selection is based entirely on the Interview/Viva-Voce, which carries 100% weightage. The validity of the qualifying certificate must be within the stipulated period; expired certificates are not accepted. This exemption significantly simplifies the admission process for NET/GATE qualified candidates and makes IMU's M.S. (By Research) programme particularly accessible to them.

Ques. When is the IMU M.S. (By Research) admission notification typically released, and what is the programme commencement date?

Ans. The M.S. (By Research) admission notification is released alongside the Ph.D. notification, typically in November each year. Based on the 2026-27 cycle, online registration was open from 23rd November to 20th December 2026, the written entrance test was held in January 2027, interviews were conducted in February 2027, and the programme commenced on 1st March 2027. For the 2027-28 cycle, a similar timeline is expected, with the notification likely released around November 2027 and the programme commencing in March 2028. Candidates are advised to regularly monitor the official IMU website (www.imu.edu.in) for the latest notification, as the 2027-28 notification has not yet been released as of April 2027.