![Vishwakarma Maritime Institute - [VMI]](https://img.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1476788676Untitled.png?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
Vishwakarma Maritime Institute (VMI) is a private maritime training institution established in 2009 in Pune, Maharashtra. It is promoted by the Bansilal Ramnath Agarwal Charitable Trust (BRACT). VMI is affiliated to the Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai for its nautical programmes and to Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) for the B.Tech Marine Engineering programme. All programmes are approved by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), and the B.Tech programme additionally holds AICTE approval.
VMI Pune does not appear in NIRF rankings. No Collegedunia stream rank is available in the current published data for this institute.
The campus is located at Survey No. 2, Kondhawa Budruk, Pune 411 048. Infrastructure includes a library, laboratories, computer lab, workshops, gymnasium, auditorium, swimming pool, a playground, and a resident ship on campus used for practical maritime training.
- B.Sc (Nautical Science) — 3-year undergraduate programme preparing candidates for deck officer roles in the merchant navy. Admission via IMU CET (mandatory).
- B.Tech (Marine Engineering) — 4-year AICTE-approved engineering programme preparing candidates for engineer officer roles. Affiliated to SPPU. Admission via IMU CET (mandatory).
- Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) — Pre-sea training programme for aspiring deck officers. Admission via IMU CET (mandatory).
- Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) — Post-degree marine engineering certification programme. Admission via IMU CET (mandatory).
The total published institute fee for B.Tech Marine Engineering is INR 2,40,000 for the 4-year programme. B.Sc Nautical Science fees are INR 75,000 for 3 years. DNS and GME fees are INR 30,000 each.
VMI Pune Admission Dates 2026
Admission to all DGS-approved programmes at VMI Pune is mandatorily based on IMU CET rank, as required by DGS Training Circular 12 of 2020. IMU CET 2026 was conducted on May 24, 2026. The counselling and institute-level selection process follows IMU result declaration.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| IMU CET 2026 Exam | May 24, 2026 |
| IMU CET 2026 Result | Early June 2026 |
| IMU Counselling / VMI Selection (B.Sc NS and B.Tech ME) | July to August 2026 (Tentative) |
| DNS and GME Institute-Level Selection (VMI) | Contact VMI Pune directly for schedule |
The course-wise entrance exam accepted at VMI Pune is listed below. IMU CET is the only valid exam for all maritime programmes at DGS-approved institutes.
| Programme | Exam Required | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| B.Sc (Nautical Science) | IMU CET (mandatory) | Medical fitness test, age limit 25 years |
| B.Tech (Marine Engineering) | IMU CET (mandatory) | Medical fitness test |
| Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) | IMU CET (mandatory) | Medical fitness test, age limit 25 years, psychometric test and interview at VMI |
| Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) | IMU CET (mandatory) | Medical fitness test, age limit 28 years, psychometric test and interview at VMI |
VMI Pune Courses and Fees
VMI Pune offers four DGS-approved maritime programmes covering both deck (nautical) and engineering officer career pathways. Published institute fees range from INR 30,000 for DNS and GME to INR 2,40,000 for B.Tech Marine Engineering.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Institute Fee (Total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Tech (Marine Engineering) | 4 years | 10+2 with PCM, 60% in English, valid IMU CET, medical fit | INR 2,40,000 |
| B.Sc (Nautical Science) | 3 years | 10+2 with PCM, 60% in English, valid IMU CET, age below 25, medical fit, no colour blindness | INR 75,000 |
| Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) | 1 year (pre-sea) | 10+2 with PCM, 60% in English, valid IMU CET, age below 25, medical fit, no colour blindness | INR 30,000 |
| Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) | 1 year (post-degree) | B.Tech/BE (Mechanical/Electrical/Marine), valid IMU CET, age below 28, medical fit | INR 30,000 |
B.Sc Nautical Science and DNS prepare candidates for the deck officer pathway (navigating officers, eventually Masters). B.Tech Marine Engineering and GME prepare candidates for the marine engineering officer pathway (engineer officers). Both career pathways lead to internationally recognised STCW-compliant officer certificates issued by DGS.
VMI Pune Admission Process
VMI Pune admission is governed by DGS regulations. IMU CET is the mandatory qualifying examination for all four DGS-approved programmes at VMI. No alternative admission route exists.
B.Sc Nautical Science and B.Tech Marine Engineering
Eligibility for both degree programmes requires 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. A minimum of 60% marks in English as a separate subject in 10+2 is mandatory for all maritime programmes. Colour blindness is a disqualification for deck-officer programmes (B.Sc NS and DNS). Age at course commencement must not exceed 25 years for B.Sc Nautical Science candidates.
- Register for and qualify IMU CET 2026 (held May 24, 2026).
- Participate in IMU counselling for degree-level programme seat allocation.
- Complete VMI Pune’s institute-level formalities (document verification, medical fitness test).
- Pay the institute fee and obtain the admission confirmation letter.
DNS and Graduate Marine Engineering (GME)
DNS is a 1-year pre-sea training programme for aspiring deck officers. GME is a 1-year post-degree marine engineering certification. Both require a valid IMU CET score. VMI Pune additionally conducts a psychometric test and interview as part of the selection process for DNS and GME. Candidates should contact VMI directly for the institute-level selection schedule.
- Qualify IMU CET 2026 and note the DNS or GME rank.
- Apply to VMI Pune and appear for the psychometric test and interview round.
- Clear medical fitness requirements (including colour vision standards for DNS).
- Complete document verification and pay the institute fee upon selection.
All maritime cadets must also hold a Class X pass certificate or equivalent and meet the medical fitness standards prescribed by DGS. Candidates with a history of colour blindness, impaired night vision, or conditions affecting fitness for sea service are not eligible for deck officer programmes.
VMI Pune Campus and Infrastructure
The VMI Pune campus is located at Survey No. 2, Kondhawa Budruk, Pune 411 048, Maharashtra. Kondhawa Budruk is a residential locality in south Pune with good road connectivity to Pune railway station and Pune International Airport.
Campus facilities include a library, physics and chemistry laboratories, a computer lab, workshops for marine engineering training, a gymnasium, an auditorium, a swimming pool, and a playground. VMI’s most distinctive training asset is a ship on campus, used for hands-on practical training in navigation, seamanship, and engineering operations. This is a significant advantage for maritime cadets who would otherwise only access ship simulators. No official hostel details are published for the 2026-27 cycle. Candidates requiring accommodation should contact the VMI admissions office to check on-campus or tied housing options before confirming enrolment.
VMI Pune vs Tolani Maritime Institute vs MANET Pune
IMU CET aspirants targeting Pune-based maritime institutions frequently compare VMI with Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI), Pune, and Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training (MANET), Pune. All three serve the same IMU CET applicant pool in the Pune region.
| Parameter | VMI, Pune | Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune | MANET, Pune |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 2009 | 1998 | 2001 |
| Approval | DGS, AICTE (for B.Tech) | DGS, AICTE | DGS, AICTE |
| IMU Affiliation | IMU Chennai | IMU Chennai | IMU Chennai |
| Admission | IMU CET (mandatory) | IMU CET (mandatory) | IMU CET (mandatory) |
| B.Tech ME Fee | INR 2,40,000 (institute fee) | Check institution | Check institution |
| Ship on Campus | Yes | Yes (training ship) | Check institution |
| Notable Feature | BRACT-promoted, Kondhawa Budruk | Oldest IMU-affiliated in Pune (1998) | Navy-oriented culture |
| Location | Kondhawa Budruk, Pune | Induri, Talegaon, Pune | Kharghar (near Navi Mumbai) |
VMI and Tolani Maritime Institute are both DGS-approved Pune-region institutes with practical ship-on-campus training assets. Tolani Maritime Institute, being the older institution (established 1998), carries stronger brand recognition among maritime recruiters. VMI’s Kondhawa Budruk location is closer to central Pune than Tolani’s Induri campus. All three are valid choices for IMU CET aspirants targeting Pune.
VMI Pune FAQs
Ques. What is the total fee for B.Tech Marine Engineering at VMI Pune?
Ans. The published institute fee for the 4-year B.Tech Marine Engineering programme at VMI Pune is INR 2,40,000. Maritime programmes also involve separate costs for uniform, simulator training, medical certification, and STCW documentation that are not included in the published institute fee. Confirm the full cost of attendance with the VMI admissions office before finalising admission.
Ques. Is IMU CET mandatory for admission to VMI Pune?
Ans. Yes. IMU CET is legally mandatory for admission to all DGS-approved maritime programmes at VMI Pune, as per DGS Training Circular 12 of 2020. No alternative exam or direct admission route exists for B.Sc Nautical Science, B.Tech Marine Engineering, DNS, or GME. IMU CET 2026 was held on May 24, 2026.
Ques. What is the age limit for DNS admission at VMI Pune?
Ans. Candidates applying for the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) at VMI Pune must not be more than 25 years of age at course commencement. For Graduate Marine Engineering (GME), the age limit is 28 years. There is no age upper limit specifically stated for B.Tech Marine Engineering and B.Sc Nautical Science, but standard maritime medical and DGS eligibility norms apply.
Ques. Can a candidate with colour blindness join VMI Pune?
Ans. No. Colour blindness disqualifies candidates from deck officer programmes such as B.Sc Nautical Science and the Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS). These programmes lead to navigating officer roles, where normal colour vision is a mandatory DGS medical fitness requirement. Marine Engineering programmes (B.Tech ME and GME) have different eyesight standards. Candidates must pass the DGS-prescribed medical fitness test before finalising admission to any programme at VMI Pune.
Ques. Which university is VMI Pune affiliated with?
Ans. VMI Pune is affiliated to the Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai for its nautical science programmes. The B.Tech Marine Engineering programme is additionally affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). All programmes are approved by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), and the B.Tech programme also holds AICTE approval.
Ques. What is the B.Sc Nautical Science fee at VMI Pune?
Ans. The published institute fee for the 3-year B.Sc Nautical Science programme at VMI Pune is INR 75,000 in total. This covers only the institute tuition component. Additional costs for uniform, maritime training documentation, simulator sessions, and medical certification are separate and should be confirmed with the VMI admissions office.
Ques. Does VMI Pune have a hostel?
Ans. Official hostel fee details are not published for the 2026-27 cycle. Candidates requiring accommodation should contact the VMI admissions office directly to enquire about on-campus or tied housing options available for maritime cadets. The campus is located at Kondhawa Budruk, Pune, which is a well-connected southern Pune locality.
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Fee structure for BSc and DNS has not been yet disclosed by the VMI, Pune. You can check here to be updated about any new information about fee structure. VMI Courses and Fees