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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 GME?

GME stands for Graduate Marine Engineering. It converts eligible engineering graduates into marine engineering trainees for the Merchant Navy. The course prepares candidates for shipboard machinery operations, engine-room systems, maintenance routines, safety procedures and future marine engineer officer certification pathway.

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Course Duration

The GME course duration is generally 1 year full-time residential pre-sea training. After completing the course, candidates normally proceed for onboard training as Trainee Marine Engineers, followed by sea service and the applicable examination route.

Entry Routes

Educational Qualification

B.E. / B.Tech Mechanical Engineering

Candidates with full-time B.E. / B.Tech Mechanical Engineering from an eligible recognised institution may apply.

B.E. / B.Tech Marine Engineering

Candidates with B.E. / B.Tech Marine Engineering from eligible institutions may be considered as per DGMA / DG Shipping rules.

Mechanical Stream Variants

Certain mechanical stream variants may be accepted if Mechanical Engineering is the core branch and appears first in the degree name, such as Mechanical and Automation, Mechanical and Automobile, Mechanical and Electronics or Mechanical and Manufacturing.

Naval Architecture Route

Eligible Naval Architecture degrees may also be considered, especially where Naval Architecture is the core branch.

GME Marks Requirement

Minimum 50% marks in final year of eligible engineering degree
Minimum 50% marks in English in 10th, 12th or degree examination

Degree from an AICTE-approved institute, IIT or recognised university engineering college, as applicable.

Full-time engineering qualification where required

Age Limits

Age Limit and Category-Wise Relaxation

Category	Male Candidates	Female Candidates
General	Up to 28 years	Up to 30 years
OBC-NCL	Up to 31 years	Up to 33 years
SC / ST	Up to 33 years	Up to 35 years

Women candidates receive an additional 2-year relaxation over the applicable category limit. OBC-NCL candidates receive 3 years and SC/ST candidates receive 5 years, subject to the applicable course 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.

General physical fitness
Eyesight and colour vision
Hearing and physical stamina
Fitness for machinery spaces
Ability to work in heat, noise and shipboard conditions
Fitness for emergency response

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

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IMU-CET Requirement

No. IMU-CET is not generally mandatory for GME. GME admission is generally based on engineering branch eligibility, final-year marks, English marks, age eligibility, medical fitness, MTI or company selection and interview or written screening where applicable.

Curriculum

Curriculum and Syllabus Overview

Marine Engineering Systems

Marine diesel engines and auxiliary machinery
Pumps, compressors, purifiers and heat exchangers
Boilers, steam systems, fuel, lube oil and cooling systems
Engine-room layout and operation

Electrical and Control Systems

Marine electrical systems and automation basics
Engine-room alarms and control systems
Power distribution awareness

Workshop and Practical Training

Fitting, welding awareness, lathe and workshop practice
Maintenance routines, tools and machinery handling
Planned maintenance system basics

Safety, Regulation and Watchkeeping

STCW safety training, engine-room watchkeeping and pollution prevention
MARPOL awareness, firefighting and emergency procedures
Technical documentation and shipboard discipline

Detail

Engineering graduate? Check whether your degree is eligible for GME.

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

GME is a high-value route for engineering graduates who want to enter the Merchant Navy officer stream without doing a full four-year marine engineering degree after 12th.

Entry roles: Trainee Marine Engineer, Junior Engineer

Officer progression: Fourth Engineer, Third Engineer, Second Engineer, Chief Engineer

Shore scope after experience: Technical superintendent, ship repair, marine workshop, engine-room survey, safety or compliance roles

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 B.Tech Marine Engineering, a four-year route after 12th PCM.

Compare with ETO Course for electrical and electronics-background candidates.

Deck officer aspirants can review DNS and B.Sc. Nautical Science.

For institute verification, visit DGMA Approved MTI Admission Guidance.

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

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Why Apply Through HBIMS-NAF&SA^™?

GME eligibility depends on engineering branch, degree recognition, final-year marks, English marks, age and medical fitness. HBIMS-NAF&SA — National Admission Framework & Seat Assurance helps engineering graduates avoid wrong-course selection and unsupported admission claims. Through HBIMS, NAF&SA, Humble Bee Institute of Marine Studies and Humble Bee Education Foundation, candidates receive documented screening before taking the next step.

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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