IMU CET 2026 Syllabus: Complete Subject-Wise Breakdown

IMU CET has one purpose: filter candidates who have the academic foundation to survive maritime education. It tests whether you can handle Physics, Math, Chemistry, and basic reasoning at Class 12 level.

Verify with IMU: Syllabus and exam patterns can be updated annually by Indian Maritime University. Always confirm the latest notification at imu.edu.in before beginning preparation.

Exam Structure Overview

Section	Subjects	Questions	Marks
Section A	Mathematics	50	50
Section B	Physics	25	25
Section C	Chemistry	25	25
Section D	English	25	25
Section E	General Aptitude and Reasoning	25	25
Section F	General Knowledge	50	50
Total		200	200

Duration: 3 hours | Format: MCQ, 1 mark per question

Math, Physics, and Chemistry combined = 100 marks out of 200. This is where most students win or lose the exam.

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Section A: Mathematics (50 Questions)

The highest-weightage single subject. Class 11 and 12 CBSE or state board syllabus is the base.

High Priority Topics

Algebra

• Quadratic equations and roots
• Progressions: AP, GP, HP
• Binomial theorem
• Permutations and combinations
• Complex numbers

Trigonometry

• Trigonometric ratios and identities
• Inverse trigonometric functions
• Heights and distances (applied problems)

Coordinate Geometry

• Straight lines — slope and intercept forms
• Circle equations
• Parabola, ellipse, hyperbola — basic forms

Calculus

• Limits and continuity
• Differentiation — chain rule, product rule, applications
• Integration — standard forms, definite integrals
• Applications: area under curve, rate of change

Vectors and 3D Geometry

• Vector operations — dot product, cross product
• Equations of lines and planes in 3D

Statistics and Probability

• Mean, median, mode, standard deviation
• Basic probability — independent events, Bayes theorem

Medium Priority

• Matrices and determinants
• Sets and relations
• Mathematical reasoning and logic

Approach

Mathematics rewards practice over theory. Do 30–40 questions per topic minimum. Focus on speed — 50 questions in approximately 36 minutes means under 1 minute per question average.

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Section B: Physics (25 Questions)

High Priority Topics

Mechanics

• Newton’s laws of motion
• Work, energy, power
• Rotational dynamics — moment of inertia, torque
• Gravitation — Kepler’s laws, escape velocity
• Fluid mechanics — Bernoulli’s theorem, Archimedes’ principle

Thermodynamics

• Laws of thermodynamics, Carnot cycle efficiency
• Specific heat, latent heat

Electricity and Magnetism

• Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s laws
• Electromagnetic induction — Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law
• Alternating current circuits

Optics

• Reflection and refraction
• Lens formula, mirror formula

Modern Physics

• Photoelectric effect, radioactivity basics

Why Physics Matters for Maritime

Naval architecture, ship stability, engine room systems — all grounded in Physics fundamentals. Students who actually understand Physics perform better in maritime college than those who memorize for the entrance exam.

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Section C: Chemistry (25 Questions)

High Priority Topics

Physical Chemistry

• Mole concept and stoichiometry
• Atomic structure — Bohr model, quantum numbers
• Chemical bonding — VSEPR theory, hybridization
• Gas laws — Boyle’s, Charles’, ideal gas equation
• Thermochemistry — enthalpy, Hess’s law
• Chemical equilibrium — Le Chatelier’s principle
• Electrochemistry — EMF, galvanic cells
• Chemical kinetics — rate equations, order of reaction

Inorganic Chemistry

• Periodic table trends
• s-block and p-block elements

Organic Chemistry

• IUPAC nomenclature
• Hydrocarbons — reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes
• Functional group reactions — alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids
• Polymers and biomolecules — identification basics

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Section D: English (25 Questions)

Comprehension — Unseen passage: main idea, inference, vocabulary in context (typically 8–10 questions)

Grammar — Subject-verb agreement, tense usage, articles, prepositions, sentence correction

Vocabulary — Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, one-word substitution

Writing Structure — Rearranging jumbled paragraphs, error spotting

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Section E: General Aptitude and Reasoning (25 Questions)

Verbal Reasoning: Analogies, logical classification, series completion

Non-Verbal Reasoning: Pattern recognition, figure series, mirror images

Numerical Aptitude: Number series, speed-distance-time, percentage, ratio, profit-loss

Logical Reasoning: Syllogisms, blood relations, seating arrangements

Approach: 15 days of focused pattern practice can realistically add 15+ marks here.

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Section F: General Knowledge (50 Questions)

Indian and World Geography — Major oceans, seas, straits, gulfs, Indian ports and coastline, ocean currents

Maritime and Current Affairs — DG Shipping functions, IMO conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC basics), major Indian shipping companies

Science and Technology — Recent ISRO missions, major discoveries

Indian Polity and Economy — Constitution basics, port development projects

Sports and Culture — Major awards, recent Olympic results

GK Strategy

1. Daily newspaper — The Hindu or Indian Express — 20 minutes per day for 3 months
2. Maritime GK — DGS website, IMU website, STCW basics
3. Static GK — Lucent’s GK for facts that do not change
4. Previous year papers — GK questions often repeat in cycles

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3-Month Preparation Timeline

Month 1: Complete Class 11 and 12 NCERT for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics. Identify weak topics. Start daily newspaper for GK.

Month 2: Chapter-wise MCQ practice (minimum 50 questions per chapter). Start full-length reasoning practice. English: daily comprehension passage and grammar drills.

Month 3: Full-length mock tests every 3 days. Identify error patterns and fix. GK intensive revision. Final week: only revision, no new topics.

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Common Mistakes That Cost Students

1. Ignoring Mathematics — 50 marks alone. PCB background students underestimate this at their cost.
2. Skipping GK — 50 questions is too many to leave to chance.
3. No mock tests — Knowing the syllabus is different from exam performance under time pressure.
4. Believing coaching centre AIR claims — Focus on your preparation, not their marketing.

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Conclusion

IMU CET is a filterable exam. With 3 months of structured preparation, Class 12 PCM students should be able to clear it. Coaching institutes charge ₹15,000–₹90,000 for what is fundamentally a revision of your Class 11–12 syllabus. Many students clear IMU CET without any coaching using NCERT books, practice MCQs, and consistent mock tests.

Know the syllabus. Build a plan. Execute it.

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Confused about IMU CET strategy, eligibility, or which course to choose? Chat with SailorGPT — honest, experience-backed answers without coaching institute sales pressure.