Project Description
India has a rich history in dealing with sea trade as well as a variety of trading and non-trading practices via sea within and beyond the confines of the country. Hence it has built up a magnificent maritime history and traditions for several decades even much before the rise of European maritime powers. However, it experienced decline while the western and European nations advanced during the Industrial Revolution.
At present, among all Asian and African countries, India has one of the largest and considerably well-coordinated merchant shipping fleet with almost ninety percent of the country’s trade volume moved by sea. With one of the largest coastline and having boundary as sea/ocean, guarding the country through coast also gains importance.
In short trade and security through the ocean is prominent in India. Hence from past decades we have laws governing trade and security but with change in circumstances, updation and research on emerging areas is required. With the advancement in trade and increase in crimes on seas and natural disasters, there are various issues which need to be addressed. To name few, issues relating to insurance, liability, accidents, pirates etc., are common. With globalization and Technology-trade prominent era, new areas of concerns has emerged, like ship financing, maritime liens, carriage of goods by sea, ownership and registration of ships, ship sales and building contracts, limitation of liability contracts, law of collision, salvage, towage and pilotage and its related claims, law of marine pollution – its consequences and liabilities, customs and port laws are few of them.
That being highlighted in the area of trade related, there are also new issues and emerging areas in security related. With the issues of pirates, laws relating to the rights and ownerships for the resources on the high seas and markings of Exclusive economic Zones, Laws related to the passageways of various varieties/registered ships, trespass of territorial waters, aid by the naval and coast guard forces, Technology used by these forces, rescue operations, access to ports, Laws relating to accidents/attacks on territorial waters, disputes settlement mechanisms for the armed forces, Strategies relating to the security on the seas etc gained prominence and require intense research and analysis of the same.
With the emergence of new areas and concepts in maritime field, the requirement for research and analysis is significant. Hence, this course aims to educate in these new emerging areas.
This program is suitable for those in both the legal and maritime industry who are looking to enhance their career prospects. It provides highly specialised knowledge and research skills relevant both to legal practitioners and to those operating more generally within the legal environment of the maritime sector. It would also assist anyone working in professions concerned with international trade and the maritime environment depending on the chosen line of speciality within the research framework.
It is mainly addressed to lawyers, legal advisers, judges and legal draftsmen. The program is also open to law graduates of any country who intend to pursue a legal career in the field of maritime law whether in the public or private sectors, whether in practice, administration or academia.
a. Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree in any discipline from any recognized University; or
b. Candidates appearing for the final year examination of Graduation / Engineering are also eligible to apply.
c. Lateral Admission for the Advanced Diploma Candidates:
Candidates who have completed the One Year Advanced Diploma in Maritime Laws at NALSAR are also eligible for admission to the second year. In such cases, the candidates needs to surrender the Advanced Diploma in Maritime Laws Certificate awarded by NALSAR, after completion of the M.A. Programme, to be entitled for award of the Degree of M.A. (Maritime Laws) at NALSAR. The candidates should exercise this option within a maximum period of two years from the date of their admission to the Advanced Diploma.
The candidates enrolled for the Advanced Diploma Programme can enroll for the M.A. Programme within two years from the date of their admission, even though they have not completed the Advanced Diploma.
The lateral admission to the M.A. Programme will be offered only when the subjects and the syllabus offered for the First Year of M.A. Programme are similar to that of the subjects and the syllabus offered in the said Advanced Diploma Programme.
In any case, lateral admission will be offered subject to fulfilment of the eligibility criteria for the M.A. Programme.
Direct Admission subject to fulfilment of the eligibility criteria.
The maximum period for the candidates enrolled in the second year of M.A. Programme is two years including the year of admission to the second year M.A. Programme.
Every candidate admitted to the course shall pay the prescribed fees for the first year at the time of admission and the fee for the second year shall be paid at the beginning of the third semester. If a candidate is required to continue the course beyond the minimum duration because of his/her non-fulfillment of the prescribed requirements for the award of the M.A. Degree, he/she shall pay the Continuation Fee, as prescribed to continue their course after the minimum period.
The marks secured in the papers already appeared by the candidate shall be carried forward during the span of the eligibility for the programme.
After completion of the maximum period, if the candidate fails to fulfill all the requirements for the award of the M.A. Degree, the admission stands automatically cancelled. In such cases they need to enrol afresh for the programme.
Course fee:
- Rs. 40,000/- p.a. (5% fee concession to the candidates belonging to SC / ST / PWD Category)
- Rs. 35,000/- p.a. for Defence Personnel
Course fee for Advanced Diploma Candidates : Rs. 50,000/- (5% fee concession to the candidates belonging to SC / ST / PWD Category)
Rs. 45,000/- for Defence Personnel
- Repeat examination / Supplementary Examination fee : Rs.500/- per paper
- Continuation fee beyond the minimum duration of the course till the maximum period : Rs.5,000/- p.a.
- Re-evaluation Fee : Rs. 1,000/- per paper
- Boarding & Lodging charges at campus (subject to availability) during classes / exam will be extra as per the University Rules.
- Convocation fee will be charged separately as per the University Rules.
Note: If a candidate fails to submit the projects / assignments / case studies for the subjects offered in the relevant semester, then the candidate should pay the applicable repeat examination fee per subject for submission of the project / assignment / case study at a later date.
Note: The University reserves the right to revise the Fee structure from time to time.
| Subject Code | Subject | Marks | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEMESTER – I | |||
| 1.1.1 | General Principles of Law | 100 | 5 |
| 1.1.2 | International Maritime Laws | 100 | 5 |
| 1.1.3 | Maritime Security & Safety | 100 | 5 |
| SEMESTER – II | |||
| 1.2.4 | Maritime Laws of India | 100 | 5 |
| 1.2.5 | International Trade and Marine Transport Services | 100 | 5 |
| 1.2.6 | Maritime Disputes Resolution | 100 | 5 |
| SEMESTER – III | |||
| 2.3.7 | Port Operations and Coastal Zone Management | 100 | 5 |
| 2.3.8 | The Law of Shipping Contracts | 100 | 5 |
| 2.3.9 | Maritime Economics | 100 | 5 |
| 2.3.10 | Marine Insurance Law | 100 | 5 |
| SEMESTER – IV | |||
| 2.4.11 | Maritime Crimes and Jurisdiction Issues | 100 | 5 |
| 2.4.12 | Marine Environmental Laws | 100 | 5 |
| 2.4.13 | Dissertation
(written: 150 marks + viva: 50 marks) |
200 | 6 |
The Master’s Programme will have four semesters. Each Semester will have Personal Contact Programme (PCP) sessions by the subject experts, followed by Online session where participants will work on the research projects / assignments / case studies and upload them on the dedicated web platform / submit them by email. The candidates can contact / communicate through email with the subject experts for queries, if any, on the concerned subject. Relevant course material will be uploaded on the website and can be accessed through their login id. The Self Learning Materials (Reading Materials) printed copies will be sent to the enrolled candidates.
PCP sessions will be conducted for six days in the First & Second Semester; for seven days in the Third Semester and for four days in the Fourth Semester at Hyderabad by the subject experts. Suggested reference guidance would be provided at the contact sessions. Each subject shall consist of 15 teaching hours. The recorded videos of the classes will be uploaded on the dedicated website. Attendance at the PCP is compulsory and the candidate should have atleast 75% attendance in the PCP to appear for the end semester examination. The learners are also expected to put in at least 30 hours of study for each credit.
Case study analysis / projects / assignments will be part of the concerned subjects and will be discussed in onsite / online sessions. There will be one project / assignment / case study for each course. In total, a candidate must complete twelve projects /assignments / case studies by the end of the programme.
The website will be the main delivery system in terms of updating information on the subject. The access to the website will be deactivated after the completion of the minimum duration and will be revived on the payment of the continuation fee.
Admission Process From February to June every year
SEMESTER I & III
| S.NO. | Name of the Activity | Tentative Months | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | ||
| 1 | Distribution of course material | July | August |
| 2 | Personal Contact Programme | September | October |
| 3 | Submission of Assignments/projects/case study | September | November |
| 4 | Examinations | November | December |
| 5 | Declaration of Results | January | February |
| 6 | Repeat Examinations | February | March |
SEMESTER II & IV
| S.NO. | Name of the Activity | Tentative Months | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | ||
| 1 | Distribution of course material | January | February |
| 2 | Personal Contact Programme | February | March |
| 3 | Submission of Assignments/projects/case study (Submission of Dissertation in case of IV Semester) |
February April |
April May |
| 4 | Examinations (Viva Voce Examination in case of IV Semester) |
May | June |
| 5 | Declaration of Results | July | August |
| 6 | Repeat Examinations | August | September |
Each paper shall carry 100 marks. The distribution of marks shall be as follows:
| Assignment(s) : | 30 Marks |
| End Semister Examination : | 70 Marks |
| Dissertation (200 Marks) Written Report : |
150 Marks |
| Viva-Voce Examination : | 50 Marks |
NOTE: No candidate will be permitted to appear for the End Semester Examination unless he / she has attended 75% in the programme specific Personal Contact Programme.
Awards of Grades
The performance of all the candidates in all subjects shall be evaluated on a 10 point scale with corresponding grade values as mentioned below:
| Percentage of Marks | Grade | Grade Value |
| 90 and above | O+ (Exceptionally Outstanding) | 10 |
| 85 – 89 | O (Outstanding) | 9 |
| 80 – 84 | E+ | 8.5 |
| 75 – 79 | E (Excellent) | 8 |
| 70-74 | A++ | 7.5 |
| 65-69 | A+ | 7 |
| 60-64 | A | 6.5 |
| 55-59 | B+ | 6 |
| 50-54 | B (Pass) | 5.5 |
| Below 50 | F(Fail) | 0 |
The result will be declared as ‘W-withheld’ for all the candidates who appear for the examination and fail to submit the projects / assignments / case studies. Even if a candidate secures the minimum required marks, i.e, 50 in the end semester examination and fails to submit projects/assignments/case studies, the result will be declared as ‘W-withheld’. In both the cases, the candidates are required to register for the repeat examination and pay the requisite fee for submission of the projects / assignments / case studies.
Calculation of CGPA
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is arrived at by dividing the sum of the products of Grade Values and the Credits in each subject by the total number of credits in all the subjects.
A candidate to be successful should obtain a minimum of 50% marks or the equivalent grade, i.e., B in every subject /Dissertation. A student who secures the minimum required 50% marks will not be declared passed until he/she submits the assignments/projects/case studies as prescribed. However, the candidate who fails to obtain the minimum grade (i.e., B) shall be given chance(s) to re-appear for the examination whenever the same is conducted till the completion of the maximum period, i.e., four years from the date of admission on payment of repeat / supplementary examination fee and the continuation fee as prescribed. Candidates failing to secure the minimum marks in the Dissertation shall re-submit the same. No candidate who has cleared the subject by securing 50 marks or above is allowed to re-appear in the examination for improving the marks / grade.
Rounding off and Award of Grace Marks
In case a candidate obtains fractional marks, the fraction will be rounded off to the nearest whole number.
The Course Coordinator with the approval of the Director, DDE may add FIVE grace marks in total for all the subjects in a semester to enable a candidate to pass the examination. The said provision will not be applicable in case of re-evaluation and/or for improvement of grade.
Provided that under no circumstances, a candidate shall be granted more than five grace marks in a semester to be distributed in all subjects.
Award of the Master’s Degree
A candidate to be eligible for the award of the Master’s Degree, i.e., M.A. (Maritime Laws) should submit all the assignments / projects / case studies and should secure 50% marks or ‘B’ grade in all the subjects including Dissertation obtaining atleast CGPA 5.50 out of 10.00.
A student admitted to the program has to complete all the prescribed requirements within a maximum period of four years from and including the year of admission in order to be eligible for the award of the Master’s Degree. However, the candidates enrolled in the second year of M.A. Programme has to complete all the prescribed requirements within a maximum period of two years from and including the year of admission to the second year M.A. Programme.
Award of the Advanced Diploma
If a candidate decides to ‘EXIT’ after completion of all the subjects of FIRST and SECOND SEMESTER, he/she will be eligible for award of Advanced Diploma in Maritime Laws. To be eligible for award of the Advanced Diploma in Maritime Laws, a candidate should submit all the assignments / projects / case studies and should secure 50% marks or ‘B’ grade in all the subjects offered in the First and Second Semester obtaining atleast CGPA of 5.50 out of 10.00. A candidate can exercise this option within a maximum period of two years from the date of admission.
After exercising the above option, the candidate will not be entitled to continue the Master’s Programme.
The candidates desiring of re-evaluation have to apply in writing along with the re-evaluation fee within 15 days from the date of declaration of results. On the receipt of the request for re-evaluation, the paper would be sent to subject expert other than the evaluator and the results of the same will be communicated within 45 days. A change in the original score shall be made only when, upon re-evaluation, the change is FIVE marks or more. The Re-evaluation result is final and there will be no further appeal to the same.
No candidate who has cleared the subject by securing 50 marks or above is allowed to re-appear in the examination or apply for re-evaluation for improving marks / grade.
The recounting of the paper would be done without collecting any fee but on the written request to the Director, DDE by the candidate. The change, if any, shall be incorporated accordingly.
The Vice-Chancellor on the report and recommendation of the Course Co-ordinator can cancel the registration of a candidate and also debar them from examinations and further enrolment if he or she is found to be indulging in abusive, unruly behavior with the faculty or staff of the University. Such behavior will also include abusive mails, phone calls or defamatory tweets / posts / blogs etc.
The NALSAR University Academic Mis-Conduct Regulations, as approved by the Executive Council of the University will apply suitably for the candidates enrolled for this programme.
a) In case of withdrawal within 15 days from the closure of the admission, 10% of the course fee paid shall be retained by the University towards administrative charges;
b) In respect of candidates who withdraw their candidature after 15 days from the closure of admission, total course fee paid by the candidates shall be retained by the University.
c) All other fee other than course fee, once paid is non-refundable.
Note: The University reserves the right to modify the admission process, fee structure, course structure, course content, the evaluation scheme and other Rules from time to time.