About T.S. Chanakya,Indian Maritime University(IMU) in Palm Beach Road, Navi Mumbai (New Mumbai)

T.S. Dufferin (IMMTS Dufferin,1927) of Bombay, India - 1927 to 1972
T.S. Rajendra 1972 of Bombay, India - 1972 to 1993
T.S. Chanakya 1994 of Navi Mumbai, India - 1993 to date

In 1927 TS Dufferin was commissioned to train British & Indian Cadet officers for Maritime Life, in 1972 it was replaced by TS Rajendra, in 1993 it was replaced by TS Chanakya. The THREE have produced thousands of fine officers in India's Maritime.

The first Indian owned vessel S.S. "Loyalty" sailed out of Bombay Harbour on 5th April 1919 for London. The vessel was owned by M/s. Scindia Steam Navigation Co. The Master and the other officers were British.Subsequently a resolution was moved by Sir P. S. Sivaswamy Iyer in the Indian legislative assembly R.I.M.S Dufferin was acquired by the Department of Commerce and converted into a training ship. On December 1927, the first batch of 50 nautical cadets joined the I.M.M.T.S. DUFFERIN.In 1935, training of engineering cadets was also commenced on the Dufferin. The number of cadets admitted each year was 25 nautical and 25 engineering cadets.

MAJOR CHANGE IN TRAINING POST INDEPENDENCE
In 1949, training of Marine Engineers was transferred ashore to a new Engineering College at Calcutta, known as D.M.E.T (Directorate of Marine Engineering Training), with a branch in Bombay. The training period on the Dufferin was reduced from 3 years to 2 years and the annual intake increased to 80.In 1969, orders were placed with Hindustan Shipyard, Vishakapatnam for the construction of a new training ship to replace the ageing 'Dufferin'. The keel for a new ship was laid on 20th October 1969. This ship, christened as T.S. Rajendra, was received from the builders by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, on 2nd April, 1972.In April 1972, the 'Dufferin' was de-commissioned. By then, over 2600 cadets had undergone training on the 'Dufferin'. It is a great tribute to her that three Chiefs of Naval Staff, over 20 Admirals and several hundreds of senior officials in the Govt. and the shipping industry are all her alumnii.

T.S. 'RAJENDRA'
The Vice-President of India, Shri G.S. Pathak, inaugurated the new training ship on 16th April 1972.The annual intake of cadets, for the two year course, on T.S. Rajendra, was 125. With the rapid increase in the Indian shipping tonnage, and the consequent paucity of trained personnel, the duration of training on the Rajendra was reduced to one year in 1975 and the yearly intake increased to 250. However, the two year training period, with an intake of 125 per year, was restored in 1984.In 1987, T.S. Rajendra became affiliated to the University of Bombay. The period of training was then increased to three years. The first batch of these cadets passed out from the Rajendra in 1990 with BSc. (Nautical Science) degrees awarded by the University of Bombay. The syllabus is drawn with a view to give broad-based marine education, with special emphasis on fundamentals of marine subjects and practical aspects of the profession.

NEED FOR ASHORE ACADEMY
In the early 80's, it was found that the requirement of officers increased well beyond the output of T.S. Rajendra. It was felt that an ashore academy could train a larger number of cadets than a ship and, that too, more economically. Accordingly, requisite land was acquired, on the sea front of the harbour, at New Bombay. Necessary infrastructure was created and buildings put up. The first phase of the scheme, consisting of the Administrative, academic & Hostel Blocks, was inaugurated by Shri Jagdish Tytler, Minister of Shipping and Transport, and the training shifted to this shore based academy named T.S. 'Chanakya' in 1993.

T.S. 'CHANAKYA'
T.S. Rajendra's affiliation with the University of Bombay was transferred to T.S. 'Chanakya' in 1993. The educational and training programme is designed to inculcate officer like qualities and a high sense of discipline in the cadets. Physical training is an essential part of the curriculum to keep the young persons fit for the tough and adventurous career at sea.All cadets are required to take part in rowing, sailing, physical training, swimming and team games like hockey, football, volleyball and cricket. Athletics and aquatic sports competitions are held annually. There are playing grounds on the campus. Seminars, workshops on technical and literary subjects form a regular feature of the training programme. During the entire period of three years, officer like qualities, leadership, adaptability and team spirit are observed and assessed for each cadet.