BSc Nautical Science is a 3-year graduation program that you can opt for if you want to become a deck officer in the Merchant Navy. This course will give you the post of Deck Cadet onboard after which you can become a deck officer in Merchant Navy. The Deck Officer on a ship is responsible for navigation, communication, and loading and discharging of cargo.
Nautical Science is a study of navigation, seamanship, and ship operations. Nautical Science covers theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to be an officer on ship. The B.Sc Nautical Science is a 3 year graduation program after completing which a person can join the ship as a deck cadet in the Merchant Navy. Nautical Science offers much more time to study the topics in a detailed manner in the 3 year duration of the course.
Nautical Science is a study of navigation, seamanship, and ship operations. Nautical Science covers theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to be an officer on ship. The B.Sc Nautical Science is a 3 year graduation program after completing which a person can join the ship as a deck cadet in the Merchant Navy. Nautical Science offers much more time to study the topics in a detailed manner in the 3 year duration of the course.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Profession | Seafarer |
| Industry | Maritime Shipping Industry |
| Entrance Exam | IMU CET (Once a Year) Common Entrance Tests of Different Colleges |
| Merchant Navy Age Limit | 17 to 25 |
| Merchant Navy Salary | Minimum:- ₹30,000/ – ₹40,000/- Maximum:- ₹11,00,000/ – ₹16,00,000/- |
| Duration | BSc Nautical Science is 3 year course |
There are two ways through which you can join the Deck Department in the Merchant Navy i.e. Diploma in Nautical Science and BSc Nautical Science. However, both have their own set of advantages and demerits. So, let’s check why BSc Nautical Science might be a better option for you.
| Criteria | Diploma in Nautical Science | BSc in Nautical Science |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Total 1-year course | Total 3-year program |
| Information | Everything is in brief as it is a one-year course. | Things are in more detail here as you have 3 years to learn everything. |
| Pre-Admission Criteria | You need sponsorship to get admission. | You don’t need any sponsorship to get into BSc Nautical Science. |
| Sea time | DNS Students have to complete 18 months of sea time. | BSc Students need to complete only 12 months of sea time |
| Foundation Course | DNS students need to appear for the foundation course before applying for the 2nd Mate Exam. | BSc students need not appear for any such course. |
The minimum eligibility criteria for the BSc in Nautical Science course set by DG Shipping is as given below. Many colleges have additional eligibility criteria and selection procedures apart from the standards set by DG Shipping.
| Marks in 12th PCM Should be more than 60%. |
| Marks in English should be more than 50% either in 10th or 12th. |
| The age limit is 17 to 25 years. |
| The candidate should be medically fit according to DG Shipping norms with no color blindness. |
The minimum eligibility criteria for the BSc in Nautical Science course set by DG Shipping is as given below. Many colleges have additional eligibility criteria and selection procedures apart from the standards set by DG Shipping.
| Minimum Age | 17 years is the minimum age. |
| Maximum Age | 25 years is the maximum age. |
| Relaxation | Relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST and 2 years for women candidates. |
To get admission to a good BSc Nautical Science College two crucial things are required, hard work and guidance. You must work hard for your dream and it is our duty to guide you in your journey with our free IMU CET Series that will introduce you to all the aspects of BSc Nautical Science from the best colleges for BSc Nautical Science to the shipping companies that prefer BSc Nautical Science Students and many more.
| Semester I | Semester II |
| English and Communication Skills | Applied Mathematics |
| Nautical Mathematics | Applied Physics & Electricity |
| Nautical Physics | Nautical Electronics |
| Computer Science | Ship Construction |
| General Ship knowledge | Ship Operation Technology |
| Terrestrial Navigation | Chart Work & Collision Prevention Regulations |
| Nautical Physics (Practical) | Applied Physics & Electricity (Practical) |
| Computer Science (Practical) | Nautical Electronics (Practical) |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Celestial Navigation Paper -I | Life Saving & Fire Fighting Appliances |
| Ship Stability Paper – I | Ship Stability Paper – II |
| Marine Engineering, Automation & Control Systems Paper –I | Cargo Handling & Stowage Paper –II |
| Meteorology Paper –I | Ship Maintenance and Emergencies |
| Cargo Handling & Stowage Paper –I | Marine Engineering, Automation & Control Systems Paper –II |
| Bridge Equipment & Watchkeeping Paper –I | Meteorology Paper –II |
| Seamanship Lab – I (Practical) | Seamanship Lab – II (Practical) |
| Marine Engineering Workshop – I (Practical) | Marine Engineering Workshop – II (Practical) |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Coastal Navigation & Collision Prevention Regulations | Voyage Planning & ECDIS |
| Naval Architecture Paper – I | Naval Architecture Paper –II |
| Celestial Navigation Paper –II | Ship Manoeuvring & Collision Prevention Regulations |
| Specialised Cargo Handling & Stowage | IMO & International Conventions |
| Shipping Management | Human Resource Management, Development & Leadership |
| Bridge Equipment & Watchkeeping Paper -II | Marine Environmental Protection |
| Ship Operation Technology Lab (Practical) | Navigation Lab (Practical) |
| Tolani Maritime Academy | ₹20,62,000/- for 3 Year of BSc Nautical Science. |
| Indian Maritime University Kochi | ₹8,25,000/- for the whole program. |
| AMET with MAERSK Sponsorship | ₹11,81,375/- for the whole program. |
| T.S. Rahaman | ₹8,35,000 |
| T.S. Chanakya | ₹8,25,000/- for 3 Year of BSc Nautical Science. |
| Physical Standards | Candidates should be physically fit for sea service under the standard norm, with eyesight up to 6/6 in the better eye. |
| NO COLOR BLINDNESS, Partial Colour Blindness is also not acceptable. | |
| The D.G. Shipping Medical Certificate must be issued by D.G. Shipping Approved Doctors, under the specified medical examination requirements. |
| Rank | Job Description | Dry ship | Tanker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | A captain or master is in charge of a ship’s general operation and has the last say in its direction. | ₹6,60,000 to ₹8,30,000 | ₹7,50,000 to ₹12,00,000 |
| Chief Officer | A Chief Officer is responsible for the cargo operations, management of deck crew, safety & firefighting operations, etc. | ₹5,40,000 to ₹7,10,000 | ₹6,50,000 to ₹8,00,000 |
| 2nd Officer | A 2nd Officer is the ship’s navigator and sometimes the medical officer, he is also a bridge watchkeeper. | ₹2,15,000 to ₹3,50,000 | ₹3,30,000 to ₹4,00,000 |
| 3rd Officer | The 3rd Officer is in charge of firefighting apparatus and life-saving appliances, he is also a bridge watchkeeper. | ₹2,00,000 to ₹3,00,000 | ₹2,15,000 to ₹3,50,000 |
| Deck Cadet | A Deck Cadet assists the Chief Officer in various duties such as cargo operations, navigation watch, etc. | ₹30,000 to ₹70,000 | ₹30,000 to ₹70,000 |
There are a lot of colleges that conduct BSc Nautical Science courses for the Merchant Navy. However, there are only a few that truly have a good placement record in India. Let’s discuss them one by one:-
Tolani Maritime Institute is one of the most prestigious in India for BSc Nautical Science. Tolani Maritima Institute has one of the best placement records and offers almost 100% placement as many top-tier companies come to this college to hire candidates. MAERSK, MOL, MSI, NYK, and Chevron are some of its top recruiters.
| Educational Qualifications | Qualifying in IMU CET, as well as TMISAT, is mandatory for admission. Marks in PCM should be at least 60% with at least 50% marks in English either in 10th or 12th. |
| Age | The age of the candidate should not be more than 21 years. |
| Medical Criteria | Candidates must be medically fit including eyesight and hearing as prescribed in the Merchant Shipping. Vision should be (6/12) in each eye (6/9) in the better eye and (6/18) in another eye. Color blindness is not allowed |
To get more information about Tolani Maritime Institute, you can check out our COLLEGE PORTAL and learn what other students have to say about this college.
AMET is another institute for BSc in Nautical Science with quality education and sponsorship from Maersk Line. The fee for a 3-year program is ₹.₹11,81,375/- after including the admission fees. If you want to join AMET try going with Maersk, Synergy, or V-Ships sponsorship.
| Educational Qualification | Pass in the 12th Standard examination with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English as separate subjects with a PCM average of not less than 60%. The candidate must have secured a minimum of 50% marks in the English language in the 10th or 12th standard exam. |
| Age | The age limit for AMET is from 17 to 25 years old with a relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST Caste and 2 years of extra relaxation for female candidates. |
| Medical Criteria | The Candidate should be physically fit with eye-sight up to 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the other eye. |
IMU Navi Mumbai formerly known as T.S. Chanakya is one of the best options available for BSc Nautical Science candidates. Companies like Fleet, BSM, Anglo Eastern, PIL, TORM, Thome, and NYK are some of the top companies that hire candidates from IMU Navi Mumbai.
| Educational Qualifications | Candidate must have passed class 12th PCM with at least 60% with more than 50% in English either in 10th or 12th. |
| Age | The age limit to apply for a BSc Nautical Science in T.S. Chanakya is 17 to 25. |
| Medical Criteria | The Candidate should be physically fit for sea with eye-sight up to 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the other eye. |
We are the world’s largest independent charter owner and operator of containerships, with a global presence across key port cities. Our shore and sea teams deliver innovative, efficient, and reliable solutions to support our customers in fleet growth, cargo optimization, and decarbonization.
| Educational Qualifications | Passed 10+2 with minimum 60% in PCM and at least 50% in English (10th or 12th). Qualified IMU-CET. |
| Age | Maximum 25 years on course commencement. Relaxation: SC/ST – 5 yrs, OBC (NCL) – 3 yrs, Female – 2 yrs. |
| Medical Criteria | Medically fit as per DG Shipping norms. 6/6 vision in both eyes, no color blindness. |
| Academic Qualification |
HSC or equivalent certificate Mark sheet with minimum 60% in PCM (10+2) – Original + 2 photocopies Original School/College Leaving Certificate – with 2 photocopies Minimum 50% in English in SSC or HSC Age not more than 25 years at course commencement (Relaxation: SC/ST – 5 yrs, OBC (NCL) – 3 yrs, Female – 2 yrs) Medical Fitness Certificate from DG Shipping-approved doctor (Original + 1 photocopy) Eye Sight Certificate: 6×6 vision in both eyes, no color blindness – DG approved doctor (Original + 1 photocopy) |
Kerala, with its long coastline, has served as South India’s maritime gateway, with Kochi—“Queen of the Arabian Sea”—emerging as a key hub due to its strategic location on the east-west trade route. Kochi Port’s unmatched proximity to maritime highways has driven its growth into a major maritime center.
| Educational Qualification | A candidate must have passed (10 + 2) Examination/ equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM), with not less than 60% aggregate marks in PCM and with a minimum of 50% in English language at 10th or 12th Standard examination. |
| Courses | B.Sc. (Nautical Science): ELIGIBILITY (MINIMUM CRITERIA) |
| Age Limit | Minimum age: 17 years (i) For Male: General – 25 years, OBC(NCL) – 28 years, SC/ST – 30 years (ii) For Female: General – 27 years, OBC(NCL) – 30 years, SC/ST – 32 years Reference date for age calculation is 01.08.2024 |
| Relaxation | SC/ST candidates get 5% relaxation in PCM marks (not in English). 5% relaxation in English marks for native candidates of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands belonging to recognized Scheduled Tribes whose parents were both born in these islands. |
| Eye Sight | No evidence of morbid conditions in eyes or lids; good binocular vision, full eye movement, and normal pupil reaction. Normal colour vision (Ishihara Test). Distance Vision: Unaided 6/6 in better eye and 6/9 in the other eye. |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Fees Total | ₹8,25,000 |
TS Rahaman, established in 1910, is one of India’s oldest and most reputed maritime institutes, offering DGS-approved courses and global-standard training. Affiliated with Mumbai University, it ensures strong industry placement through global shipping company ties.
| Eligibility | Must be an Indian national. Should possess an HSC (10+2) certificate or its equivalent. Must present the Mark Sheet with a minimum of 60% marks in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) at the HSC level. (Original with 2 photocopies required) Submit the Original School/College Leaving Certificate along with 2 photocopies. A minimum of 50% marks in English is required, either in SSC or HSC. |
| Age Criteria | Not more than 25 years for HSC students on the course commencement date. |
| Medical | Provide a Medical Fitness Certificate from a DG Shipping-approved doctor. (Original with 1 photocopy) A valid Eye Sight Test Certificate showing 6×6 vision in both eyes and no color blindness issued by a DG-approved doctor. (Original with 1 photocopy). |
| Course Fee | Rs. 4,15,000/- |
BSc in Nautical Science is a 3-year pre-sea course.
It varies from college to college, for instance, TS Chanakya charges 8.25 lakhs whereas TMI charges 20 lakhs for the three-year BSc course.
10+2/equivalent (PCM – a minimum of 60% aggregate) & minimum of 50% in English. The candidate should have obtained not less than 50% marks in English as a separate subject, at either 10th or 12th standard.
The admission procedure for BSc in Nautical Science is divided into three stages:-
The top BSc Nautical Science colleges in India, as of now, are TMI (Tolani Maritime Institute), TS Chanakya, and AMET with MAERSK Sponsorship.
As a BSc in Nautical passout students don’t have to go through the foundation course which means they have to complete their 12 months onboard after BSc in Nautical Science to appear for the 2nd Mate CoC.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Academy | JMDi Academy |
| Contact Number | +91 9051206790, +91 7417085906 |
| jmdidehradun@gmail.com | |
| Website | https://jmdiacademy.com/ |
| https://www.instagram.com/jmdiacademy/ | |
| Results | https://jmdiacademy.com/our-recent-results/ |
Disclaimer :- The opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author and may not necessarily reflect those of Merchant Navy Decoded. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided and disclaim any responsibility for it. Data and visuals used are sourced from publicly available information and may not be authenticated by any regulatory body. Reviews and comments appearing on our blogs represent the opinions of individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of Merchant Navy Decoded. We are not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on these reviews or comments.
Reproduction, copying, sharing, or use of the article or images in any form is strictly prohibited without prior permission from both the author and Merchant Navy Decoded.
Decoded Discount Alert! up to 50% OFF
Decoded Discount Alert! up to 50% OFF
Use Coupon Code Deep50
