Overview
Indian Maritime University (IMU) is India’s central university dedicated to maritime education, research, training, and extension activities. Established in 2008, under the aegis of the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, IMU was envisioned to create a robust ecosystem for maritime disciplines, from navigation and marine engineering to port management, logistics, and allied fields. It plays a strategic role in shaping India’s skilled workforce for the maritime sector and aligns with national initiatives like Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) & Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV 2047).
Campuses Across India
IMU operates several campuses and centers in strategic maritime locations:
- Navi Mumbai Campus: IMU’s oldest legacy campus, tracing its origins to 1927 with nautical training aboard the iconic Training Ship Dufferin.
- Kochi Campus: With origins in the Marine Engineering Training Institute (1981), the Kochi campus has a long-standing legacy in training marine engineers for the shipping industry.
- Chennai (Headquarters): Rooted in the National Institute of Port Management (1984), the Chennai campus serves as IMU’s administrative headquarters and a hub for port and logistics education.
- Visakhapatnam Campus: Created in 2008 through the amalgamation of the National Ship Design and Research Centre, with a strong focus on ship design and maritime research.
- Mumbai Port Campus: Formed through the merger of Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research (LBS CAMSAR) and Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI), this campus represents excellence in marine engineering and advanced maritime studies.
- Kolkata Campus: Established by integrating MERI and the Indian Institute of Port Management, making it a key centre for maritime engineering and port management education in eastern India.
UG Programmes Offered at IMU Campuses
- 4-Years B.Tech. (Marine Engineering)
Chennai, Kolkata & Mumbai Port Campuses - 4-Years B.Tech. (Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering)
Visakhapatnam Campus - 4-Years B.Tech. (Naval Architecture & Ship Building)
Visakhapatnam Campus - 3-Years B.Sc. (Nautical Science)
Chennai, Kochi & Navi Mumbai Campuses - 3-Years Apprenticeship embedded BBA (Maritime Logistics) in collaboration with LSC
Visakhapatnam Campus - 3-Years BBA (Logistics, Retailing and E – Commerce)
Chennai & Kochi Campuses
Diploma Programmes
- 1-Year Diploma in Nautical Science
Chennai & Navi Mumbai Campuses - 1-Year Post Graduate Diploma in Marine Engineering
Mumbai Port Campus
Snapshot of Programmes and Schools at IMU
Source: Indian Maritime University, Prospectus 2025-2026
How to Apply
- IMU conducts the Common Entrance Test (IMU-CET) every year on an all India basis for admissions to its programmes for all campuses.
- After securing IMU-CET ranks, candidates need to approach affiliated/ non- affiliated institutes for taking admissions as per their admission mechanism.
- Candidates then need to register in IMU’s counselling portal which will be opened after the release of IMU-CET rank list.
- Admissions to Diploma in Nautical Science in affiliated institutes are open only to ‘sponsored candidates’, i.e. candidates sponsored by Ship Owning or Managing Companies and who qualify in IMU’s CET for UG programme.
Conclusion
As India pushes to become a USD 5-trillion economy, the maritime sector is a key driver, offering jobs in navigation, engineering, logistics, port operations, and allied services. Through IMU’s programmes and partnerships, thousands of graduates are being prepared for careers both at sea and onshore, contributing to national economic and strategic goals.
If you’re aiming to join IMU’s undergraduate programmes next year, mark your calendar! The IMU Common Entrance Test (IMU-CET) for the 2026–27 session is expected to open for online registration in March 2026 and the exam will likely be held in May 2026 (based on last year’s cycle and official schedules). Whether you aspire to navigate the world as a ship’s officer, design the vessels that power global trade, keep ports and supply chains moving, or build a career in maritime logistics, Indian Maritime University is where that journey begins.
