IMU CET 2027: eligibility, exam pattern, age limit and seats

A planning guide to the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test for marine engineering, nautical science and maritime management admissions.

Overview

Eligibility

Eligibility depends on the programme. For popular undergraduate options like B.Tech Marine Engineering and B.Sc Nautical Science, students generally need Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, plus a minimum in English — and to meet the aggregate PCM mark prescribed in that year's prospectus.

Other courses can have different subject, degree or minimum-mark requirements, and seafaring programmes carry medical fitness and eyesight standards worth checking early.

Age limit

Age eligibility is programme- and category-specific rather than a single number across every course. Before applying, check the official notification for the minimum and maximum age, the date used to calculate it, and any category relaxations.

Number of attempts

IMU CET isn't run like an exam with a fixed lifetime attempt cap — eligibility is assessed fresh each admission cycle, so a candidate can apply again in a later year if they still meet that year's academic, age and medical requirements.

Exam pattern

In recent cycles, the UG CET (other than BBA) has been a computer-based test of 200 multiple-choice questions across 3 hours. The 2027 notification will confirm the final structure, duration and marking scheme.

Seats

Total seats depend on the course, campus, affiliated institute and admission year — the 2027 seat matrix isn't confirmed yet. Worth checking each year: B.Tech Marine Engineering, B.Tech Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, B.Sc Nautical Science, DNS, B.Sc Maritime Science where offered, and other notified programmes — and whether a seat is at an IMU campus or an affiliated institute, since counselling numbers can differ from the initial sanctioned intake.

Campuses

IMU's own campuses are in Chennai, Mumbai (Port campus), Kolkata, Visakhapatnam and Kochi, alongside a number of affiliated institutes. It's worth checking the current approved-institute list and programme-wise intake before shortlisting colleges.

Documents to keep ready

• Recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature
• Class 10 marksheet or certificate (date-of-birth proof)
• Class 12 marksheet or hall-ticket details, if applicable
• A valid government-issued photo ID
• Category certificate and PwD certificate, if applicable
• An active email address and mobile number, plus a way to pay the application fee

Extra documents — original certificates, medical fitness papers, or sponsorship documents for specific programmes — can come up later, at counselling or admission.

Application process

1. Visit the official IMU website and open the admissions section.
2. Register online with your personal and contact details.
3. Fill in academic details — Class 10 and 12 information, qualifying exam details and course preferences.
4. Upload documents — photograph, signature and anything else the portal asks for.
5. Pay the application fee and save the transaction confirmation.
6. Download and keep the confirmation of your submitted form.

Important dates

None of these are out yet for 2027 — this table is just what to watch for.

How to prepare

• Revise NCERT Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, with real time on numerical problems
• Build English and aptitude alongside the sciences — comprehension, grammar, reasoning and quantitative practice
• Work through official model question papers to get used to the question style
• Take timed mock tests at the actual exam duration
• Research medical fitness and eyesight standards for seafaring programmes before choosing a course

Common questions

Also weighing regular engineering entrances? See our JEE and engineering results.