Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) Salary Per Month in India: Company-Wise Deck Cadet Stipend Guide 2026

If you are planning to join Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) and your biggest question is, “How much will I earn as a Deck Cadet?”, you are not alone.

For most DNS aspirants, the stipend is one of the first things they want to know before choosing a sponsorship or maritime college. However, there is an important catch: Deck Cadet stipend is not a fixed amount across all shipping companies. It can change according to the company, vessel, flag, contract, overtime arrangement, national and sponsorship programme.

For this article, the figures below are presented as approximate 2026 figures based on publicly available company information, salary-reporting platforms and current industry sources. Where a company does not publicly disclose a current cadet stipend, it is better to say so than to invent a number.

What Is the Salary of a DNS Deck Cadet?

After completing the one-year DNS pre-sea program, a sponsored cadet normally joins a vessel as a Deck Cadet and completes structured onboard training.

The current general market range is roughly ₹40,000–₹60,000 per month, although some companies and contracts can fall outside this range. The Directorate General of Shipping’s current career information gives an indicative Deck Cadet stipend of ₹35,000–₹50,000 per month.

The important distinction is that this is a training stipend, not the salary of a qualified Deck Officer.

After completing the required sea service, examinations and certification, the candidate can progress to officer ranks, where remuneration becomes substantially higher.

DNS Deck Cadet Salary Company-Wise in India

Here is a practical comparison of the companies you mentioned.

These should not be treated as guaranteed salaries. Several companies do not publish a current Deck Cadet stipend on their websites, so the safest figure is the one written in the sponsorship/placement agreement.

1. MSC Deck Cadet Stipend

MSC is one of the companies for which a relatively clear current figure is publicly available.

MSC Shipmanagement’s India cadet-career page states that after completing the 12-month DNS pre-sea course, a Deck Cadet is assigned to a company vessel with a stipend of approximately ₹35,000 per month during onboard training. MSC also states that the cadet completes 18 months of sea time before becoming eligible for the Second Mate Certificate of Competency examination.

MSC DNS Deck Cadet Salary

Approximately ₹35,000/month

This makes MSC one of the easier companies to reference because the figure comes directly from the company’s published cadet information rather than an anonymous salary website.

2. Anglo-Eastern Deck Cadet Stipend

Anglo-Eastern is another major name among Indian DNS aspirants.

Current industry reporting places the Deck Cadet stipend around $500–$750 per month, which is approximately ₹47,500–₹71,000 at an exchange rate near ₹95/USD.

However, older Anglo-Eastern training material available online quoted approximately USD$650 per month for onboard training.

That difference is exactly why students should avoid treating old internet figures as today’s guaranteed salary.

Practical 2026 estimate

Approximately $500–750/month

3. Fleet Management Deck Cadet Stipend

Fleet Management is another popular DNS sponsorship option in India.

The company currently runs a DNS selection programme and provides pathways for cadets from the International Maritime Institute to join Fleet Management vessels after meeting the required standards.

Current industry reporting places the Fleet Management Deck Cadet stipend at around $500/month, equivalent to approximately ₹47,500/month at the current exchange rate.

Approximate stipend

$500/month

≈ ₹47,500/month

The exact amount should always be checked against the sponsorship letter because contractual remuneration can change.

4. Synergy Marine Deck Cadet Stipend

Synergy is particularly interesting because it currently operates a formal recruitment pathway for DNS, Deck Cadet and other maritime positions.

Its 2026 recruitment information confirms direct-entry Deck Cadet recruitment and a DNS sponsorship pathway. However, the current official information around $500-650/month confirm by placed cadet.

5. BSM Deck Cadet Stipend

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) operates a structured cadet programme designed to develop future deck, engine and electrical officers. BSM describes its cadet programme as a structured pathway that provides development, mentoring and support toward junior-officer level.

Current industry sources report approximately:

$550–$600/month

That works out to roughly:

₹52,000–₹57,000/month

at ₹95/USD.

6. Wallem Deck Cadet Stipend

Wallem is another company seen in the DNS sponsorship ecosystem.

Industry reporting places the stipend around:

$350–$400/month

or approximately:

₹33,000–₹38,000/month.

However, public salary-reporting data for Wallem is limited. For example, Glassdoor currently shows a Deck Cadet salary submission, but the sample is extremely small, so it should not be interpreted as an official company stipend.

7. Executive Ship Management (ESM) Deck Cadet Stipend

ESM is another company frequently considered by DNS aspirants.

Current industry reporting gives a relatively wide range of:

$400–$650/month

which is approximately:

₹38,000–₹62,000/month.

The range is wide because remuneration can depend on the particular programme and contract.

Interestingly, older Glassdoor data shows a much lower ESM Deck Cadet figure, but that information comes from only one submitted salary and was last updated years ago.

So, for an SEO article, quoting the old ₹15,000 figure as the current 2026 ESM salary would be misleading.

8. Great Eastern Shipping Deck Cadet Stipend

Great Eastern Shipping is a well-known Indian shipping company and is associated with DNS training through the Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies.

Current industry reporting places the Deck Cadet stipend around:

$600/month

or approximately:

₹57,000/month.

However, older student reports have quoted considerably lower amounts, showing why the batch and year of the source matter. A GEIMS placement review, for example, reported cadet salaries around ₹25,000–₹40,000.

Therefore, the correct approach is to publish the current reported figure as an estimate rather than presenting it as a guaranteed salary.

9. Seven Islands Shipping Deck Cadet Stipend

Seven Islands is particularly relevant to Indian DNS students because its maritime training ecosystem is directly connected with DNS training.

Current industry reporting gives a Deck Cadet stipend of around:

$300–$350/month

or approximately:

₹28,500–₹33,000/month.

Seven Islands’ own maritime training institute confirms that DNS students receive a stipend during their 18-month onboard training, although it states that the exact amount depends on the company standards when students are selected by foreign partners.

10. TORM / “TOM Tanker” Deck Cadet Salary

If by “TOM Tanker” you mean TORM, then the company has also been associated with DNS sponsorship and cadet recruitment.

Student placement reports from Tolani Maritime Institute have mentioned TORM among companies sponsoring cadets and reported overall cadet stipends of approximately $500–$750/month across participating companies. However, this is not a TORM-specific current salary declaration.

Current Glassdoor data also has only a very small Deck Cadet sample for TORM, so it cannot reliably establish a 2026 stipend.

Do not publish a fixed ₹50,000 or ₹60,000 figure as though TORM officially guarantees it.

Does a DNS Cadet Get Paid During the One-Year Course?

This is an important point that many beginners misunderstand.

The DNS pre-sea year is training at the maritime institute. The Deck Cadet stipend generally becomes relevant when the candidate joins the vessel for the structured onboard training period.

For example, MSC states that the cadet passes out after 12 months and is then assigned to a company vessel as a Deck Cadet with the stated stipend.

So don’t calculate your DNS financial plan assuming:

12 months academy + 18 months ship = 30 months of salary.

The stipend is associated with the shipboard training period, not simply with being enrolled in DNS.

DNS Salary vs Deck Officer Salary

The biggest mistake is to search for “DNS salary” and assume the Deck Cadet stipend will remain the same throughout your career.

It won’t.

DNS is the entry pathway. After completing sea training and the required examinations, you move into the officer career ladder.

The current Directorate General of Merchant Administration career page gives similar indicative ranges, while stressing that actual remuneration varies by company, vessel and flag state.

Why Company Matters More Than a ₹5,000 Difference

Suppose Company A pays ₹40,000 and Company B pays ₹50,000.

It is tempting to immediately choose Company B.

But is ₹10,000 really the most important factor?

Not necessarily.

You should also investigate:

• How quickly you get your first ship
• Number of training berths available
• Type of vessels
• Quality of onboard training
• Promotion record
• Waiting period between ships
• Sponsorship terms
• Bond conditions
• Exam support
• Rejoining opportunities
• Reputation of the company

A ₹5,000 higher stipend means little if you sit at home for eight months waiting for your first vessel.

What About Free Food and Accommodation?

During shipboard training, accommodation and meals are normally provided onboard.

For example, MSC describes the Deck Cadet’s shipboard placement after the DNS program, while older Anglo-Eastern training documentation explicitly states that boarding and lodging onboard are provided free of charge.

This is one reason why comparing a cadet’s onboard stipend directly with a shore-based salary can be misleading.

Your major everyday living expenses are not the same as they would be while living and working ashore.

How Much Can a DNS Deck Cadet Save Every Month?

Let’s take a simple example.

Suppose a cadet receives:

₹50,000/month

and is onboard with accommodation and meals provided.

The cadet may have personal expenses such as:

• Internet
• Calling
• Toiletries
• Personal shopping
• Shore leave
• Travel-related personal expenses
• Remittances to family

Therefore, the amount saved can be substantial, but it depends entirely on individual spending.

The important point is this:

Salary and savings are not the same thing.

A cadet earning ₹45,000 who spends ₹8,000 may save more than someone earning ₹60,000 who spends ₹30,000.

Is ₹50,000 Per Month a Good DNS Salary?

Yes, ₹50,000 per month can be considered a strong Deck Cadet stipend, particularly because the cadet is still completing mandatory onboard training.

But don’t choose your company solely because someone posts:

“Company X gives ₹60,000.

Ask whether the figure is:

• Basic stipend
• Total monthly remuneration
• Including overtime
• Including leave pay
• Vessel-specific
• Contract-specific
• Old or current

These details can completely change the comparison.

What Should You Check Before Accepting DNS Sponsorship?

Before signing anything, ask for the stipend and employment terms in writing.

Check these 10 points

1. Monthly Deck Cadet stipend
2. Currency of payment
3. Overtime arrangement
4. Contract duration
5. Expected joining date
6. Waiting period
7. Ship type
8. Bond/service agreement
9. Rejoining policy
10. Salary after becoming a qualified officer

By: Fleetfrontier.