The Indian Maritime University (IMU) has commenced the IMU CET Counselling 2026 registration process for qualified candidates seeking admission to its BTech, BSc, Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS), MTech, and MBA programmes for the 2026–27 academic session. Eligible candidates can now register online at the official portal imu.edu.in to participate in the centralised seat allotment process across IMU’s six campuses in Chennai, Kochi, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai Port, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam. The first admission list is expected to be released in the third or fourth week of June 2026, in line with previous years’ timelines.
About IMU and IMU CET 2026
The Indian Maritime University is a Central University established under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, and is the apex body for maritime education in the country. IMU CET — the Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test — is the sole national-level entrance examination for admission to maritime courses at IMU campuses and affiliated institutes. The IMU CET 2026 examination was held on May 24, 2026, in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across 91 test centres in India, covering 200 multiple-choice questions over three hours. The result was declared on June 11, 2026, and qualified candidates are now being called for the IMU CET Counselling 2026 process.
Courses Covered Under IMU CET Counselling 2026
The IMU CET Counselling 2026 covers admission to the following programmes across IMU’s six campuses:
Undergraduate Programmes:
- BTech (Marine Engineering) — IMU Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai Port Campus
- BTech (Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering) — IMU Visakhapatnam
- BTech (Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding) — IMU Visakhapatnam
- BSc (Nautical Science) — IMU Navi Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi Campus
- DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science) — IMU Navi Mumbai, Chennai Campus
Postgraduate Programmes:
- MTech (Dredging and Harbour Engineering, and other specialisations)
- MBA (Port and Shipping Management)
More than 1,500 seats are available across IMU’s own campuses. Candidates seeking admission to IMU’s affiliated maritime institutes and DGS-approved Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs) must apply directly to those institutes using their IMU CET rank certificate, as the centralised online counselling covers IMU campuses only.
How to Register for IMU CET Counselling 2026
The registration process for IMU CET Counselling 2026 is conducted entirely in online mode. Candidates can follow these steps:
- Visit the official IMU website: imu.edu.in or the counselling portal imu.cbexams.com
- Log in using your IMU CET application number and password
- Complete the counselling registration form with personal and academic details
- Proceed to choice filling — select preferred campuses and programmes in order of priority
- Pay the counselling registration fee of ₹10,000 online via debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking
- Lock in your choices and take a printout of the submitted form
Candidates are strongly advised to fill in as many programme and campus choices as possible to maximise their chances of securing a seat. Any course or campus not mentioned in the choice list will not be considered for allotment, irrespective of the candidate’s rank.
IMU CET Counselling 2026: Fee Structure
- Counselling Registration Fee: ₹10,000 (adjustable against the admission registration fee)
- Seat Acceptance / Seat Booking Fee: ₹30,000 (to be paid upon receiving a seat allotment to confirm the seat)
- Caution Deposit: Candidates admitted to IMU campuses must pay the full first-semester fee along with the ₹30,000 caution deposit during document verification, or they will be treated as dropouts
All payments are to be made online only. These fees are non-refundable once paid.
Seat Allotment Process
Seat allotment under IMU CET Counselling 2026 is carried out automatically by software based on three key factors: the candidate’s IMU CET rank, the programme and campus choices filled during counselling, and seat availability in each category. IMU conducts three regular rounds of merit-based seat allotment, followed by spot rounds if seats remain vacant after the main rounds.
In 2025, IMU conducted counselling starting in early June, with the first admission list released on June 11 and document verification beginning on June 18. Following the same pattern for 2026, the first allotment list under IMU CET Counselling 2026 is expected in early-to-mid July 2026, with programme commencement scheduled for August 1, 2026.
Document Verification and Admission Confirmation
Candidates allotted a seat through IMU CET Counselling 2026 must report to their respective campuses for document verification and physical fitness clearance. The key documents required include:
- IMU CET 2026 Rank Certificate
- Class 10 and Class 12 Marksheets and Certificates
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Medical Fitness Certificate from a DGS-approved doctor (mandatory for BTech Marine Engineering, BSc Nautical Science, and DNS candidates)
- Photo Identity Proof and Passport-size Photographs
The provisional seat allotment becomes final only after successful verification of original documents and fitness clearance.
Important Notes for Candidates
Candidates must remember that the IMU CET Counselling 2026 online process covers only IMU’s six campuses. For admissions to affiliated colleges of IMU, candidates must contact those institutions individually. Additionally, candidates cannot modify their choice of subject or campus once the choice-filling window is closed, so careful selection of preferences during registration is essential.
For the latest updates on counselling dates, seat allotment results, and document verification schedules, candidates must regularly visit imu.edu.in.
For the latest education update, check news.imtsinstitute.com
