Indian Maritime University (IMU), a central university under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govt of India, having headquarters at Semmencherry, Sholinganallur Post, Chennai-600119, has invited applications for admissions to Ph.D (Full-time/ Part-time), Integrated Ph.D, and MS (by Research) Programms for the Academic Year 2025-26.

Programs are offered in the Schools of (i) Marine Engineering & Technology (ii) Nautical Science (iii) Maritime Management and (iv) Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering.

Thrust Areas for Research (indicative) include Marine Security, Naval Architecture, Marine ballast water system studies; Green technology -Tidal energy/renewable energy, Cyber security risk assessment for seaports; Marine bunker system studies; Maritime/ Port Management; Seafarer mental health and well-being; Marine electric propulsion system Studies; Blue economy; Marine Environment: pollution/ litter management; Recycling, etc; Autonomous shipping and the possible challenges - cyber threats (cyber security).

Eligibility for PhD: Applicant should hold a 1-year/2-semester Master's degree after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree programme or a 2-year/4-semester Master’s degree after a 3-year Bachelor’s degree programme or equivalent qualifications or 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate (70% for SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/Differently-abled, EWS etc)/equivalent grade or M.S (By Research) awarded by IMU. Mariners with Master/ MEO Class I Certificates of Competencies or PGDMOM qualifications, with 2 years of teaching experience preferably continuous, at degree level as faculty in IMU/ IMU Affiliated Institutes/Directorate General of Shipping approved institutes are also eligible for Ph.D programme

Integrated Ph.D and M.S (By Research) Programme: Graduate (U.G) degree/equivalent in a relevant discipline with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/Differently-abled, EWS etc)/equivalent CGPA. For Mariners, a Master/MEO Class I Certificate of Competency would suffice.

Selection Procedure forPhD, Integrated Ph.D, & MS (By Research) Programmes: Admissions will be through written test & Interview. The written test syllabus shall comprise of 50% questions on Research Methodology and remaining 50% shall be subject specific. Students who secure at least 50 % marks in the Written Test (45% for SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/Differently-abled, EWS etc) will be eligible to be called for the Interview.

Exemption form Written Test: Those with (i) UGC-NET (JRF & Lectureship)/CSIR NET (JRF & Lectureship)/GATE/CEED/CAT having valid certificate (ii) JRF/SRF working in projects of IMU or National or International Research Institutions with whom IMU has signed MoU (iii) Scientists of Level ‘B’ and above with minimum 2 years of experience from National or International Research Institutions who are sponsored or nominated by the parent organisation; are exempted to appear for written Test subject to fulfilment of education qualification. They will be directly eligible for interview.

Applicants will be shortlisted as per the minimum educational qualifications & fulfilment of other conditions and called for ‘Test and interview’ or ‘interview’ by the department committee. IMU may decide the number of eligible students to be called for an Interview based on the number of seats available.

For the selection of candidates, a weightage of 70 % for marks obtained in the Written Test marks and 30 % weightage for the marks obtained for the performance in the Interview conducted by the IMU shall be given. The selection of shortlisted candidates called directly for interview shall be based on interview with 100% weightage. The Interviews shall be conducted by the Departmental Committee.

Additional requirement for admissions to Part Time Ph.D, are given in the Information Brochure at https://www.imu.edu.in/imunew/index/home

University Fellowship: IMU offers 6 university fellowships per year to the Scholars admitted under full time Ph.D. programme. Fellowship Amount will be Rs. 31,000/- for first two years (JRF) and Rs. 35,000/- from third year to fifth year (SRF).

Application can be submitted online at https://www.imu.edu.in/imunew/index/home latest by 20.12.2025.

Date of written Test and Interview will be announced later. Programs commence on 01.03.2026.