Learn how to get a DNS sponsorship from top shipping companies in India. Expert IMU CET coaching at Radiant Study Centre, Kerala.

At Radiant Study Centre, Kerala’s trusted IMU CET coaching centre, we’ve helped hundreds of aspiring mariners chart their course to a life at sea. The Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) is one of the most sought-after routes into the merchant navy, and with the right sponsorship, your training costs are fully covered while you earn a stipend from Day One.

Here’s everything you need to know:  from eligibility to India’s best DNS sponsoring companies.

What Is the DNS Programme and Why Does It Matter? 

DNS is a one-year residential programme conducted at premier maritime institutes across India. After completing the course, cadets undergo 18 months of onboard training on merchant vessels. At the end of this combined academic and practical training, you earn a B.Sc. in Nautical Science and become eligible to sit for the 2nd Mate Foreign-Going Certificate of Competency, issued by the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India. This certificate qualifies you to work as a Navigating Officer on ships worldwide:  one of the most financially rewarding and globally respected careers available to Indian science graduates. 

DNS sponsorship is a program where a shipping company selects and supports a student before starting the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS), offering a clear pathway from training to employment in the merchant navy.

Key benefits include:

• Sponsorship of training fees (fully or partially)
• Guaranteed onboard training (sea time)
• Monthly stipend during cadetship
• Assured placement as a Deck Cadet after training
• Structured career progression in the merchant navy 

Who can apply? Eligibility Criteria for DNS Sponsorship

Before applying for the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS), candidates must meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by the Directorate General of Shipping. 

Academic Requirements

• Completion of 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as core subjects
• Minimum 60% aggregate in PCM
• Minimum 50% in English (in either 10th or 12th standard)

Medical & Physical Fitness

• Eyesight of 6/6 in both eyes without visual aids
• No colour blindness
• Must meet medical fitness standards as per DG Shipping guidelines

Age Criteria

• Candidates must be between 17 and 25 years at the time of joining

Sponsorship Process

Sponsorship assessments conducted by shipping companies typically follow a structured timeline:

• Mid-February onwards for the August intake
• Mid-August onwards for the February intake

Candidates are advised to begin preparation well in advance, as these sponsorship processes involve entrance tests, interviews, and medical evaluations conducted by respective shipping companies.

Top Shipping Companies in 2026

1. Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (AEMA):

Anglo-Eastern is one of the world’s largest third-party ship management companies, managing over 700 vessels. Their sponsorship is among the most prestigious in India, with cadets trained at the AEMA campus in Karjat, Maharashtra. 

Key Points

• Monthly Stipend: USD 550 – 600
• Onboard Placement Timeline: Typically 2–4 months after completing the DNS course
• Academic Requirement: Minimum 70% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM)
• Entrance Test: Based on the IMU-CET syllabus, including an essay component
• Intake Batches: Available for both August and February sessions
• Application Timeline:

1. August batch: Applications open from mid-February
2. February batch: Applications open from mid-August

2. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)

MSC is the world’s largest container shipping line by fleet capacity, with over 700 vessels. 

• Monthly stipend: $300 to $400. 
• PCM requirement:  65% 
• Age limit: 17 to 19 years 
• MSC only runs an August batch, and applications open in mid-February. 

3. Fleet Management Limited

Fleet Management operates a fleet of over 650 vessels and is known for one of the fastest embarkation timelines in the industry: typically one to two months after course completion. 

The Cadets are trained at IMI, TS Rehman, AMET, or TMI, depending on availability.

Some points:

• Monthly Stipend: $500 to $600 
• The academic requirement is stricter than most:  70% in PCM and 70% in English. 
• Both August and February batches are offered. 

4. V.Ships

V.Ships is among the largest ship managers in the world by fleet count, managing over 1,000 vessels. 

Their training is conducted at AMET and TS Rehman.

• Stipend  $600 to $650 per month. 
• PCM cut-off is 60% 

5. Synergy Marine Group

Synergy manages over 590 vessels and offers cadets a choice of training across multiple institutes, including AMET, IMU campuses, TMI, and HIMT.

The stipend is $600 to $650 per month, and the waiting period before embarkation is typically one to two months. 

The PCM requirement is 60%, and intake is through the August batch only. 

6. Great Eastern Shipping (GESCO)

Great Eastern is India’s largest private sector shipping company and a well-respected name in Indian maritime history. Cadets are trained at GEMA: the Great Eastern Maritime Academy. 

• The fleet consists of 43 vessels, and the stipend ranges from $250 to $300 per month.
• The waiting period before first embarkation is longer than average, at six to seven months, but the institutional reputation and training quality are excellent.
•  The minimum PCM requirement is 60%, and both August and February batches are available. 

7. Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)

SCI is a Government of India enterprise and the country’s flagship shipping company, operating a fleet of around 80 vessels. Cadets are trained at the SCI Marine Training Institute (MTI) in Mumbai. 

• The stipend is paid in Indian rupees, ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per month.
• The waiting period before embarkation can be one to one and a half years due to government processes, but the stability and prestige of working with a government-backed organisation attract many applicants. 
• The PCM requirement is 60%, and both August and February batches are offered.

8 . Wallem Ship Management

Wallem manages approximately 190 vessels and trains its DNS cadets at IMI Noida. 

• The stipend is $350 to $400 per month.
•  The waiting period is on the longer side at over eight months, and applications are made directly through the IMI Noida admission form. 
• The August batch is the only one available, and the PCM cut-off is 60%.

9. Seven Island Shipping Ltd.

Seven Island is an Indian coastal and short-sea shipping company with a fleet of 24 vessels. Cadets are trained at SIMTI in Mumbai. 

• The stipend is paid in Indian rupees — between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000 per month.
• The waiting period is two to three months. 
• The PCM requirement is 60%, and both August and February batches are available.

10. Executive Ship Management (ESM)

ESM trains its DNS cadets at the Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS). 

• The stipend ranges from $250 to $350 per month.
•  The waiting period is six to nine months. The selection process includes the IMU CET syllabus test as well as a letter-writing component. 
• The minimum PCM requirement is 60%, and both August and February batches are offered.

11. Bernhard Schulte Ship management (BSM)

BSM manages over 650 vessels and offers a stipend between $550 and $600 per month. BSM recruits exclusively through campus placements at TS Rehman and Great Eastern Maritime Academy (GEMA) — there is no direct application route. Cadets who join these institutes have the opportunity to be selected by BSM during their training. The waiting period is two to four months.

How Radiant Study Centre Prepares You

At Radiant Study Centre, the best IMU CET coaching centre in Kerala, we specialise in preparing students not just for the IMU CET written exam but for the complete sponsorship selection process — written tests, essay writing, aptitude rounds, group discussions, and personal interviews.

Every shipping company has its own selection pattern. Anglo-Eastern tests your IMU CET knowledge, plus essay writing. V.Ships adds the APRO aptitude assessment. ESM includes a letter-writing component. Our coaching is tailored to each company’s specific requirements, so that every merchant navy aspirant in Kearla can prepare well with confidence.

Our management is well-experienced in covering the full IMU CET syllabus: Mathematics, Physics, English, General Aptitude, and Reasoning, with structured batches, weekly mock tests, and individual performance tracking.

This year, two of our students cleared the Anglo-Eastern sponsorship selection and secured their DNS seats: one of the most competitive sponsorships in India. We could not be more proud of them, and they are proof of what focused preparation can achieve.

Many of our students are now working as cadets and officers with companies like Anglo-Eastern, Fleet Management, Scorpio, and SCI. We are proud of that:  and we would love to add your name to that list. 

If you are curious about a career in the merchant navy, Radiant Study Centre, one of the merchant navy exam preparation centres in Kerala, is where your preparation begins.

Key Dates to Remember

Applications for the August batch sponsorship tests open in mid-February. Applications for the February batch tests open in mid-August. The IMU CET examination is held in June and July. Plan your preparation at least six months before your target application window to ensure you are fully ready.

Contact Radiant Study Centre — IMU CET Coaching & DNS Career Guidance, Kerala. Speak to us to know about current batches and enrolment.