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HBIMS-NAF&SA^™: National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance

HBIMS-NAF&SA, also known as HBIMS-NAF, HBIMS, NAF, NAF&SA, National Admission Framework, National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance, Humble Bee Institute of Marine Studies and Humble Bee Education Foundation, is a documented admission-support framework for Merchant Navy aspirants.

Through the National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance, candidates receive structured eligibility screening, parent counselling, document verification, medical-fitness guidance, course comparison and DGMA / DG Shipping-approved MTI admission assistance. Aspirants can use Apply Now, Check Eligibility or start from the official HBIMS Mobile App.

The framework is designed to protect candidates from unverified agents, verbal admission claims, cash demands, fake placement promises and non-documented counselling. Every serious aspirant should enter the Merchant Navy through a written, receipted and auditable route.

Overview

What is B.Sc. Nautical Science?

B.Sc. Nautical Science is a deck officer degree programme. It trains candidates in navigation, seamanship, cargo work, maritime law, ship stability, meteorology, bridge equipment and shipboard leadership.

This course is suitable for candidates who want a structured undergraduate route after 12th PCM and wish to build a career toward becoming Deck Cadet, Third Officer, Second Officer, Chief Officer and Master / Captain.

Detail

Course Duration

The course duration is generally 3 years full-time residential undergraduate programme. After completing the academic programme, candidates normally proceed for shipboard training and later the applicable DGMA / DG Shipping examination and Certificate of Competency route.

Entry Routes

Educational Qualification

10+2 PCM Requirement

10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English
Minimum 60% aggregate marks in PCM
Minimum 50% marks in English in 10th or 12th
Qualification from a recognised board

Marks Relaxation

For SC/ST candidates, a 5% relaxation may apply in PCM eligibility marks, but not in English marks.

For eligible Scheduled Tribe candidates from Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, relaxation in English marks may apply as per IMU / official admission rules, subject to stated conditions.

Age Limits

Age Limit and Category-Wise Relaxation

Category	Male Candidates	Female Candidates
General	17 to 25 years	17 to 27 years
OBC-NCL	17 to 28 years	17 to 30 years
SC / ST	17 to 30 years	17 to 32 years

Women candidates receive an additional 2-year relaxation. OBC-NCL candidates receive 3 years and SC/ST candidates receive 5 years, subject to the current admission rules.

Medical

Medical Fitness Requirement

Candidates must be medically fit as per DGMA / DG Shipping medical standards. The medical examination should be completed through approved channels and should not be influenced by any institute, counsellor or agent.

Eyesight and colour vision
Hearing and physical fitness
General health and shipboard fitness
Fitness for bridge watchkeeping
Ability to perform shipboard safety duties

For detailed eyesight and medical guidance, visit Merchant Navy Medical Fitness.

Detail

IMU-CET Requirement

Yes. IMU-CET is mandatory for B.Sc. Nautical Science. Candidates must qualify IMU-CET as per the current Indian Maritime University admission process for the relevant academic year. For details, visit IMU-CET Guidance.

Curriculum

Curriculum and Syllabus Overview

Navigation

Chart work, terrestrial navigation and celestial navigation basics
Electronic navigation systems and passage planning
Bridge watchkeeping and collision regulations

Ship Operations

Seamanship, cargo handling and tanker / dry cargo awareness
Ship stability, ship construction and deck maintenance
Mooring and anchoring operations

Maritime Safety and Law

STCW safety training, maritime law and pollution prevention
SOLAS and MARPOL awareness
Emergency response and search-and-rescue basics
Safety management systems

Professional Development

Maritime English, leadership and communication skills
Bridge resource management awareness
Report writing, discipline and shipboard conduct

Detail

Want to become a deck officer through B.Sc. Nautical Science?

Begin your documented admission journey through HBIMS-NAF&SA — National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance.

Apply Now Check Eligibility

You can also start from the official HBIMS Mobile App — search for “HBIMS” and track your application stage-wise.

Career Scope

Course Scope and Career Pathway

B.Sc. Nautical Science is a strong academic route for candidates who want a full undergraduate maritime degree and a deck officer career.

Entry role: Deck Cadet

Officer progression: Third Officer, Second Officer, Chief Officer, Master / Captain

Shore scope after experience: Marine operations, port and terminal operations, nautical survey, safety and compliance, maritime training

The exact employment, sea-service and certification pathway depends on company selection, documentation, medical fitness, applicable DGMA / DG Shipping rules and the candidate’s performance.

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Internal Course Comparison for Better Decision-Making

Before selecting a Merchant Navy programme, candidates should compare related course options inside the National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance.

Compare with DNS Course, a one-year deck cadet pathway.

Compare with B.Tech Marine Engineering, an engineering officer pathway after 12th PCM.

Check GP Rating for entry-level rating route after 10th.

Check GME Course for a marine engineering pathway after B.E. / B.Tech.

For broader admission guidance, visit DGMA Approved MTI Admission Guidance and About HBIMS-NAF&SA.

Detail

Why Apply Through HBIMS-NAF&SA^™?

B.Sc. Nautical Science is not just a college degree; it is a regulated Merchant Navy officer pathway. HBIMS-NAF&SA — National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance helps candidates understand IMU-CET, medical fitness, MTI selection, documentation and career progression clearly. HBIMS, NAF, NAF&SA, Humble Bee Institute of Marine Studies and Humble Bee Education Foundation support candidates through a written admission-support framework.

The purpose of National Admission Framework and National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance is to make the candidate’s route documented, transparent, receipted and auditable from application to MTI reporting stage.

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