The CIFNET Entrance Exam 2027 is the Common Entrance Test (CET) of the Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training, Kochi, for its two-year Vessel Navigator and Marine Fitter courses after Class 10. Forms are sent by post, expected by June 2027, and the test is expected in July 2027 at Kochi, Chennai and Visakhapatnam.
CIFNET Entrance Exam 2027
This page covers the CIFNET CET 2027 dates, the offline application, fee, eligibility, seats, stipend and the admission process.
| Full name | CIFNET Common Entrance Test (CET) for Vessel Navigator Course (VNC) and Marine Fitter Course (MFC) |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET), Kochi, Dept. of Fisheries |
| Exam level | National (all-India test) |
| Courses / Purpose | 2-year residential VNC and MFC trade courses (DGT Craftsmen Training Scheme) at Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam |
| Exam date | Expected July 2027 (CET 2026 was on 4 July) |
| Application | Expected by June 2027, offline: form sent by post with a demand draft |
| Application fee | Rs 350 (General/OBC), Rs 175 (SC/ST) by demand draft, in 2026 |
| Eligibility | Class 10 pass (or appearing) with 40% in Maths and Science separately; age 15 to 20 |
| Mode | Offline written test at Kochi, Chennai and Visakhapatnam |
| Seats | 120: 20 per course at each of 3 centres (16 by CET, 4 State-sponsored) |
| Official website | cifnet.gov.in |
CIFNET Entrance Exam 2027 Important Dates
CIFNET has not released the 2027 notification yet, so the dates below are expected months based on the 2025 and 2026 cycles, when the form deadline was 16 June both years.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | April 2027 Expected |
| Online application | June 2027 Expected |
| Common Entrance Test | July 2027 Expected |
| VNC and MFC rank lists | July 2027 Expected |
| Counselling | July 2027 Expected |
How to Apply for CIFNET Entrance Exam 2027
You apply offline. You download the form and prospectus from cifnet.gov.in, fill the form by hand and post it to CIFNET Kochi with a demand draft and documents.
Apply Online for CIFNET CET 2027
Applications for CIFNET CET 2027 are expected in June 2027.
- Download the application form and prospectus from the admission page of cifnet.gov.in once the 2027 notification is out.
- Fill the form in English, in capital letters, one character per box. Choose VNC, MFC or both, and your preferred test centre.
- Get a demand draft for the fee in favour of ‘Pay and Accounts Officer, Kochi’, payable at Ernakulam.
- Attach copies of your Class 10 marksheet, age proof and, if you claim a reserved category, a valid SC, ST, OBC-NCL or EWS certificate, plus one self-addressed unstamped envelope (11 x 22 cm).
- Send it to The Director, CIFNET, Fine Arts Avenue, Foreshore Road, Kochi 682016, so that it reaches by the last date.
| Category | Application fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs 350 |
| SC / ST | Rs 175 |
Late or incomplete forms, or forms without the original demand draft, age proof, Class 10 marksheet or category certificate, are not considered.
Who can apply for CIFNET Entrance Exam 2027?
You can apply if you have passed Class 10 (SSLC or equivalent) with at least 40% marks in Mathematics and in Science, each counted separately. Students writing Class 10 in the year of admission can also apply.
- Age: 15 to 20 years on 1 August of the admission year; the upper limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST candidates.
- Physical fitness: you must be fit for hard work on board fishing vessels and bring a fitness certificate from a government medical officer at admission.
- Vision (VNC only): you must pass the eye test of a doctor approved by the Directorate General of Shipping before admission.
Admission is open on an all-India basis, so you can apply from any state.
What is the CIFNET Entrance Exam 2027 exam pattern?
The CET is an offline written test held on one day at CIFNET’s three centres. The 2026 test started at 10:00 AM on 4 July. The prospectus does not publish a section-wise pattern or syllabus.
| Feature | Details (2026) |
|---|---|
| Mode | Offline written test with an answer book |
| Centres | Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam |
| Start time | 10:00 AM |
| Selection | CET rank and academic merit, plus State-sponsored seats |
Since eligibility rests on your Class 10 Mathematics and Science marks, revise those two subjects well. If you apply for both courses you get two roll numbers but sit one test.
How many seats are there in CIFNET VNC and MFC?
There are 120 seats: 20 in each course at each of the three centres. At every centre, 16 seats per course are filled through the CET and 4 are for candidates sponsored by a State Government or UT, preferably from the fishermen community.
| Course | Seats (Kochi + Chennai + Visakhapatnam) | CET seats by category |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel Navigator Course (VNC) | 60 (48 CET + 12 sponsored) | Gen 22, EWS 4, OBC 12, SC 7, ST 3 |
| Marine Fitter Course (MFC) | 60 (48 CET + 12 sponsored) | Gen 22, EWS 4, OBC 12, SC 7, ST 3 |
If sponsored seats are not taken, they go to CET-qualified candidates on merit, but without stipend.
What are the CIFNET course fee and stipend?
Both courses are fully residential. In 2026 the first instalment was Rs 22,825, paid at the allotted centre on joining, plus a Rs 1,000 admission fee by demand draft at counselling.
| Item (2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition fee | Rs 3,000 a year (Rs 250 a month) |
| Hostel rent | Rs 4,800 a year (Rs 400 a month) |
| Deposits (caution, hostel mess, vessel mess, study tour) | Rs 11,800 in total |
| Other fees (sports, magazine, swimming, lab, council and computer) | Balance of the Rs 22,825 first instalment |
| Stipend | Rs 1,500 a month for 24 months (stipendiary seats) |
To get the stipend you submit a Rs 15,000 surety bond with a fixed deposit. After the course, CIFNET offers Post Institutional Training by merit rank with a stipend of Rs 20,500 a month and a one-time Rs 2,500 uniform allowance.
How does CIFNET admission work after the CET?
- CIFNET publishes separate VNC and MFC rank lists on cifnet.gov.in.
- Top-ranked candidates attend centralised counselling at CIFNET Kochi on the date in the rank list.
- You fill the training centre allotment form with your preference of Kochi, Chennai or Visakhapatnam and pay the Rs 1,000 admission fee.
- Vacancy counselling and later allotment lists fill the seats left over.
- You report to the allotted centre with original documents and the first instalment.
In 2026, rank lists came on 14 July, counselling was on 23 and 27 July, and classes began on 4 August. Details are on the CIFNET 2027 result page.
CIFNET Entrance Exam 2027 Official Notices and Downloads
No 2027 notice has been issued yet. The latest official notification, prospectus and form are listed below.
- PDFCIFNET Admission Notification 2026, VNC/MFC (latest)Official site · cifnet.gov.inOpen
- PDFProspectus VNC and MFC 2026 (latest)Official site · cifnet.gov.inOpen
- PDFApplication Form MFC and VNC 2026 (latest)Official site · cifnet.gov.inOpen
- LINKCIFNET admission pageOfficial site · cifnet.gov.inOpen