IMU-CET stands for Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test. It is an all-India level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Maritime University (IMU) for admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate programs in maritime studies.
The candidates can secure admission in courses such as B.Sc Nautical Science, B.Tech Marine Engineering, B.Tech Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, and Diploma in Nautical Science via the IMU-CET exam. Various details about the exam such as the eligibility, exam dates, admission process, and the courses provided are mentioned below:
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IMU-CET Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria may vary as IMU reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria. Thus, it is advisable to check the IMU website for updates. However here is a breakdown of a general eligibility criteria set:
For UG Programs (B.Tech, DNS)
- Age: 17-25 years (as on exam date)
- Educational Qualification:
- 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM)
- Minimum 60% marks (55% for SC/ST)
For PG Programs (M.Tech, MBA)
- Age: No upper age limit
- Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
- Minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST)
- Relevant work experience (in case of MBA)
List of Colleges Under the IMU-CET Exam
Here’s a list of colleges under the IMU-CET exam:
- Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai
- IMU Mumbai Port Campus, Mumbai
- IMU Kolkata Campus, Kolkata
- IMU Visakhapatnam Campus, Visakhapatnam
- IMU Cochin Campus, Kochi
Many affiliated colleges (private maritime institutes, government-aid institutes, Autonomous Institutes) offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
IMU-CET Admission Process
The admission kickstarts with the registration process by visiting the Official Website of IMU. The application form is typically released in April each year on the official Indian Maritime University (IMU) website. Eligible candidates can click on “Admissions” followed by “Online Application”. Fill in personal details, and educational qualifications, and upload other required information. Pay the application fee online (₹1,000 for UG, ₹1,500 for PG) and submit the application form.
The admission process is elaborate and time-consuming.
- Appear for the online computer-based test.
- Check the IMU website for exam results.
- Counseling: Attend counseling sessions for seat allocation.
- Verify documents at the designated center.
- Undergo medical examination at the designated center.
- Receive the provisional admission letter with the allocated seat.
- Pay tuition fees and other charges.
IMU-CET Exam Overview
The exam pattern of IMU-CET consists of multiple-choice questions covering different topics and subjects ranging from Mathematics to English and Physics.
TOTAL MARKS | 200 |
DURATION | 3 Hours |
MARKING SCHEME | 1 mark for the correct answer -0.25 mark for incorrect answer |
EXAM MODE | Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
TOTAL QUESTIONS | 200 (Multiple Choice Questions) |
SECTIONS | English (40 questions) General Knowledge (30 questions) Mathematics (50 questions) Physics (30 questions) Chemistry (20 questions) |
EXAM SCHEDULE | June 2025 (tentative) Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM in various test cities |
RESULT DECLARATION | July 2025 (tentative) Online |
IMU-CET SYLLABUS
Here is the detailed section-wise syllabus of the IMU-CET Exam.
SECTION 1: English (40 questions)
1. Verbal Ability | Synonyms Antonyms Analogies Sentence completion |
2. Reading Comprehension | Passages (fiction/non-fiction) Inference-based questions |
3. Grammar | Sentence structure Verb tenses Modals Conditional sentences |
4. Vocabulary | Word meanings Idioms and phrases |
SECTION 2: General Knowledge (30 questions)
1. Current Affairs | National and international events Economic and political developments |
2. History | Ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history World History |
3. Geography | Indian and world geography Physical and human geography |
4. Maritime Awareness | Shipping and maritime industry Ports and shipping routes |
SECTION 3: Mathematics (50 questions)
1. Algebra | Equations and inequalities Quadratic equationsFunctions |
2. Calculus | Limits and derivatives Integration Differential equations |
3. Geometry | Points, lines, and planes Angles and measurements Trigonometry |
4. Statistics and Probability | Data interpretation Graphs and charts Probability distributions |
SECTION 4: Physics (30 questions)
1. Mechanics | Kinematics Dynamics Energy and momentum |
2. Thermodynamics | Laws of thermodynamics Heat transfer Thermodynamic systems |
3. Electromagnetism | Electric fields and potentials Magnetic fields Electromagnetic induction |
4. Optics and Wave Motion | Reflection and refraction Interference and diffraction Wave motion and sound |
SECTION 5: Chemistry (20 questions)
1. Organic Chemistry | Hydrocarbons Functional groups Organic reactions |
2. Inorganic Chemistry | Periodic table Chemical bonding Acid-base chemistry |
3. Physical Chemistry | Thermodynamics Kinetics Electrochemistry |
4. Biochemistry | Carbohydrates Proteins Enzymes and metabolism |
IMU-CET Exam Preparation Tips
By following the following tips, an individual will be well-prepared to ace the IMU-CET exam!
- Be organized and systematic in understanding the exam pattern and syllabus.
- Focus on the weak areas and devote time section-wise accordingly.
- Focus on consistency even in the face of failure.
- Read extensively to improve vocabulary and enhance reading speed and grammar rules.
- Brush up arithmetic, algebra, and geometry and use formulas, and shortcuts to improve calculation speed.
- Solve sample papers and mock tests.
Conclusion
IMU-CET is a vital stepping stone for aspiring maritime professionals, offering a gateway to prestigious institutions, bright careers, and personal growth. With dedicated preparation and strategic planning, candidates can excel in the exam and set sail for a successful maritime career.
IMU-CET evaluates a candidate’s aptitude, knowledge, and skills in areas such as English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and General Knowledge. With its rigorous selection process, it is not everybody’s cup of tea to make it to the end. The test’s structured syllabus and extensive preparation requirements underscore its importance. However, with relentless hard work and determination, one can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in this dynamic sector.
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FAQs
There are only 1000 seats in Top IMU colleges. If one wants admission to affiliated institutes, one has to appear for separate tests conducted by that college. For these colleges, one requires a rank of less than 6000.
Is the IMU-CET exam harder than JEE Mains? Ans: One of the crucial exams for merchant marine in India is the IMU CET. However, the JEE Main is more challenging than the IMU CET in terms of the exam’s difficulty level. The questions in the IMU CET are usually taken from the class 11 and 12 board exams.
The average Indian Maritime University salary ranges from approximately ₹6,99,080 per year (estimate) for a Graduate Student to ₹25,11,413 per year (estimate) for a consultant.
The average Indian Maritime University salary ranges from approximately ₹6,99,080 per year (estimate) for a Graduate Student to ₹25,11,413 per year (estimate) for a consultant.
The colleges do provide good placement opportunities, with top companies like MAERSK, MSC, Synergy, D-Manico, Marshall, Scorpion, Thomee, Evergreen, and Anglo-Eastern for recruiting students.

Prachi, a student pursuing bachelor’s in English and Philosophy from University of Delhi is a knowledge-driven, hardworking individual. Having interest in content writing, research and still exploring other domains, she has a knack for learning.