A diploma in nautical science(DNS) is a 1-year residential nautical program approved by the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India. This course ensures providing students with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills as per the needs of the maritime sector, i.e., the shipping companies.
This course will teach you the fundamentals of Navigation, ship stability, maritime laws and marine engineering and also brief you about safe working practices while working on the ship. Pursuing this career will provide you deep understanding of the maritime sector .
Upon successful completion of the course from a recognized maritime institute, you have to complete some months of sea time abroad, and then you can take your further examinations for becoming a deck officer in the merchant navy.
In this post:
- What is a Diploma in nautical science (DNS)?
- Diploma in nautical science (DNS) Eligibility criteria :
- Why choose diploma in nautical science?
- How to join Diploma in Nautical Science?
- What is IMUCET?
- What is Sponsorship?
- Top DNS Colleges and their Fees:
- Diploma in Nautical Science syllabus:
- Diploma in nautical science ranks and salary:
What is a Diploma in nautical science (DNS)?
As the name suggests, Diploma in Nautical Science is a diploma program. This Diploma further leads to a B.Sc Nautical Science degree. Now, you might be thinking how can a diploma course become a degree course? Here is how:
This program was started by the Directorate General of Shipping after keeping an eye on industry needs as well as employers’ demands. In this one-year course, you will be taught subjects like fundamentals of ship navigation, seamanship, cargo handling and many more.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a passing certificate. After this, you have to complete your required sea time about 12 – 18 months.
After Successful completion of the required sea time you can give written exams and orals for obtaining a Certificate of Competency. A certificate of competency is a kind of officer’s license which have to be obtained by candidates for sailing as a deck officer in the Merchant Navy. This Certificate of Competency is issued by DG Shipping and is internationally recognized.
IMPORTANT: After the DNS course, you have to join the deck side of a ship. It means you don’t have the option to choose between deck and engine departments. Unlike the GP rating course, you can’t choose after completion of the course.
Diploma in nautical science (DNS) Eligibility criteria :
The most important Eligibility is that you should have a SPONSORSHIP from a reputed shipping company. Without sponsorship from any reputed company, no college will give you admission.
Eligibility to join a diploma in nautical science course is:
- Educational Qualification: Candidate must pass the 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry and Maths as mandatory subjects with an aggregate of 60% marks with any recognized Board.
- Candidate must also score at least 50% marks in English in class 12.
- Age limit:A. For Males:The maximum age for admission is 25 years for the general caste and 3 and 5 years of relaxation is there for Obc and Sc/St.
- B. For Females: 2 years more relaxation is given to Females than Males for more participation of female candidates.
- Medical Standards: The candidate should be medically fit as per the standards of DG shipping.
There is a provision for lateral entry also. To know more, please visit the official IMU webpage.
Why choose diploma in nautical science?
1. Joining the course will open the gateway to your shipping career.
2. This is a 1-year course after which you can directly join any foreign-going vessel of any shipping company.
3. This course will give you an early start to your career compared to those who are pursuing a B.sc nautical science and B.tech marine engineering courses.
4. The fees of the DNS course are less compared to the other two courses. Scroll down to get specific fee details of top colleges for DNS.
5. You will directly join as a Trainee officer or Officer Apprentice on a vessel.
How to join Diploma in Nautical Science?
Joining DNS is a bit of a complex not because of tough competition and syllabus but due to lack of awareness and knowledge about the field. To join the course in any maritime training institute you should first fill IMUCET form. Get the complete information like eligibility criteria and exam patterns for scoring a good rank. To join the program, you should pass this CET and secure a good rank in it.
STEP 1. FILL OUT THE IMUCET FORM AND SECURE A GOOD RANK AT IT.
STEP2. You should have a SPONSORSHIP from a reputed company.
With IMUCET rank, you should have a SPONSORSHIP from a good shipping company. Maritime Institutes allow you to join only when you have both rank and sponsorship.
What is IMUCET?
Imucet is Indian Maritime University Common Eligibility Test . This test is conducted by Indian Maritime University once a year in the month of June.
This exam is a gateway to enter in Merchant Navy profession. After Passing in this exam you can join many courses offered by Maritime Institutes at both UG and PG levels.
There are more than 50000 applications for IMUCET and only 13- 14k students secures a rank in it. So, it becomes really important to know the syllabus and exam pattern before appearing for it. Here is the complete information about the eligibility, Syllabus, Exam pattern and some FAQs. CLICK HERE
What is Sponsorship?
Sponsorship is a name given to pre-placement provided by shipping companies. It means before joining a maritime training institute, you have your job letter in your hand. So, what are the steps to apply ?
- STEP 1: Fill out company’s sponsorship program .
- STEP 2: Go for the company’s written exam and interview.
- STEP 3: Secure your name in the merit list.
- STEP 4: Go for the Company’s medical test and get your medical certificates.
- STEP 5: The company will direct you to the joining procedures.
Filling out the IMUCET form and sponsorship forms is a simultaneous process. It means you need to keep an eye on the application forms and fill them out as soon as they open and also apply for all sponsorship companies to secure your job.
Top DNS Colleges and their Fees:
Although it is the shipping company which directs you which Maritime institute you have to join. But sometimes you have the option to choose your college. Some Maritime institutes in the list below have their own shipping companies as well.
It means if you have to apply for their DNS program you need to join their Institute Only.
Diploma in Nautical Science syllabus:
| S.No. | First Semester Subjects | Second Semester Subjects |
| 1. | Applied Mathematics | Navigation 3: Navigation & Chartwork |
| 2. | Applied Science | Navigation 4: Advance bridge equipment, watchkeeping & Oceanography |
| 3. | Navigation 1: terrestrial & Celestial | Cargo handling, stowage & seamanship 2 |
| 4. | Navigation 2: Bridge equipment, watchkeeping and meteorology | Ship construction & Ship Stability |
| 5. | Cargo Handling, stowage & seamanship 1 | Marpol and Marine engineering knowledge |
| 6. | Ship construction & Ship Stability | Emergencies, Maritime Communication & Commercial Shipping |
| 7. | English & human factors | |
| PRACTICALS | ||
| 1. | Applied Science lab | English communication Lab |
| 2. | Workshop Practices | Workshop practices and seamanship |
| 3. | Computer lab | Navigation Lab |
| 4. | Seamanship Lab |
Diploma in nautical science ranks and salary:
Before knowing the salary, it is important to know the ranks after the DNS course. Ranks after completion of a diploma in nautical science are:
- Deck Cadet
- Third officer
- Second officer
- Chief officer
- Captain/Master
Some companies may have a additional ranks like junior Third Officer and can also have more than one deck cadet on a ship.
There are various factors due to which the salary of an individual may vary. These are:
Company
There are mainly two types of shipping companies I.e Ownership & Management.
Salary can be a little higher in ownership companies.
Rank
Your rank is the key factor for your salary.
Do check the salaries below.
Vessel
There are different types of vessels for carrying different loads. Some are:
- Containers
- Bulk carriers
- Tankers
- Cruises etc.
RANK AND SALARIES
| S.No. | RANK | RANGE |
| 1. | Deck cadet | $450 – $800 |
| 2. | Third Officer | $2700 – $3500 |
| 3. | Second Officer | $3800 – $4300 |
| 4. | Chief Officer | $6500 – $8000 |
| 5. | Master / Captain | $10000 – $14000 |
As mentioned above, Salary depends upon number of factors but these are average salaries of deck officer’s in Merchant navy.
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