The Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) is a one-year residential course, ideal for candidates aspiring to build a career in the merchant navy as deck officers. It is recognised by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in India, and combines theoretical education with practical training regarding navigation, seamanship and safety management onboard ships. This article will explore the course in brief and review some of the reputed Diploma in Nautical Science Colleges in India.
**DNS Course Overview**
DNS is a foundation course to equip students with the essential nautical knowledge, skills and practices needed for deck operations on vessels. After completing 1 year of Diploma in Nautical Science, students become eligible to go for the CoC examination after completion of the sea time. After this, they can become 3rd officer on a ship.
**Criteria**
* Course Type: Residential
* Duration: 1 year
* Qualification: PCM in your Class 12th. PCM percentage should be more than 60%. Clear IMU CET for a Diploma in Nautical Science.
* Medical: Candidates need to have a DG Certified Medical Certificate to get into any maritime institute. The candidate should be medically fit with 6/6 vision and no color blindness in the eye
* Entrance Exam: IMU CET
**Best DNS Colleges In India**
1. **Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy**
This institution at Karjat, Maharashtra, was established in 2009 and is known for its DNS Course, which includes 12 months of pre-sea training and 18 months of onboard training. To apply for this course in this institution, a student should have a minimum of 70% marks in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) in Class 12th and should have scored more than 50% in English in either 10th or 12th class. The minimum age is 17 years, and the maximum is 25 years. The candidate should be medically fit, with 6/6 vision and no colour blindness. Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (AEMA) is owned by Anglo-Eastern Group, a Leading Ship Management Company operating over 600 ships. All the cadets or trainees pursuing pre-sea training at AEMA are pre-sponsored by Anglo-Eastern, helping the institute to boast 100% placement records. Students enrolled in AEMA are already hired by the Anglo Eastern Group and have job security during their course. Another feature of AEMA is the availability of many ships during onboard training, which gives the cadets a wide experience of shipping.
2. **Tolani Maritime Institute**
Located in Pune, Maharashtra, this is one of the biggest maritime institutions in the country, offering Marine Engineering and Nautical Science degree programs, which have been awarded Grade A1 by ClassNK in the Comprehensive Inspection Programme of DG Shipping. This shows the institution’s excellent placement track record, experienced faculty and modern infrastructure. It has its own shipping company, Tolani Shipping. The intake of students is about 80, and many companies sponsor candidates for their DNS programme. These include Fleet Management, Gulf Energy Maritime Services, Maersk, Mitsui OSK Lines, MSC, Nortrans, Scorpio Marine Management, Tolani Shipping, TORM, United Ocean, V-Ships and Wilhelmsen Ship Management. While other criteria remain the same, a candidate applying for this DNS college must have at least 60% marks in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) in class 12th and more than 50% marks in English in either class 10th or 12th. The minimum age is 17 years and the maximum is 21 years.
3. **AMET**
This is a private maritime university and the only one from India to be a member of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU). It began with only 14 cadets in 1993, but in the last 3 decades, over 22,000 graduates have passed through its gates and now occupy high positions in the maritime industry. The Synergy Group signed an MoU with AMET in February 2023, wherein AMET and Synergy Group decided to collaborate in maritime education, training, and placement of cadets, in which Synergy Group agreed to recruit 80 deck cadets (DNS Sponsored Program) from AMET Institute of Science & Technology – Thenpattinam. To be eligible for the DNS Course in AMET, a candidate should have at least 60% PCM in 12th and more than 50% in English in class 10th or 12th. The minimum age is 17 Years and the maximum