The Architecture Entrance Exam 2026 is the gateway for admission to architecture and planning programmes in Indian colleges and universities — primarily B.Arch, B.Planning, M.Arch, M.Planning and Ph.D. in Architecture. Held at national, state and university level by bodies such as the Council of Architecture (CoA), NTA and state CET cells, these tests evaluate candidates on Mathematics, aptitude, drawing skill and design reasoning. This page lists every major architecture admission test in India along with eligibility, exam pattern, important details and preparation tips — see the full list of entrance exams in other streams too.
- Regulated by the Council of Architecture (CoA) — the apex body for architectural education in India.
- Cover admission to B.Arch, B.Planning, M.Arch, M.Planning and Ph.D. programmes.
- Mathematics in Class 12 is mandatory for B.Arch admission across all recognised institutions.
- Most exams combine aptitude / MCQ sections with a drawing or design-thinking component.
- Final admission is via merit list and counselling by the conducting authority or college.
Quick Highlights – Architecture Admission
| Exams Listed | 10+ | Levels | National • State • University |
| Course Levels | UG / PG / PhD | Regulating Body | Council of Architecture (CoA) |
| B.Arch Duration | 5 Years | Exam Mode | Online MCQ + Drawing |
What is Architecture Entrance Exam 2026?
An architecture admission test is a competitive examination conducted at national, state or university level to shortlist candidates for B.Arch, B.Planning, M.Arch, M.Planning and Ph.D. programmes. The two most accepted national-level tests are NATA, conducted by the Council of Architecture, and JEE Main Paper 2, conducted by the National Testing Agency. IIT B.Arch admission is done through JEE Advanced AAT, while several state CETs and private universities run their own architecture admission tests. The Architecture Entrance Exam 2026 ecosystem therefore offers multiple parallel routes to a B.Arch or B.Plan seat.
Architecture Entrance Exam 2026 – Complete List
The complete list of architecture admission exams in India, grouped by level, is given below. Click any exam to see its full details — dates, application form, syllabus, admit card, answer key, result and counselling.
National Level Architecture Entrance Exam 2026
| Name of Exam | Full Form | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|
| NATA | National Aptitude Test in Architecture | Council of Architecture (CoA) |
| JEE Main Paper 2 | Joint Entrance Examination (Main) – Paper 2A (B.Arch) & Paper 2B (B.Plan) | NTA |
| JEE Advanced AAT | JEE Advanced Architecture Aptitude Test (for IIT B.Arch) | IITs (JAB) |
| GATE | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (Architecture & Planning paper) — for M.Arch / M.Plan | IITs / IISc |
| COMEDK UGET | Consortium of Medical, Engineering & Dental Colleges of Karnataka UGET — also offers B.Arch seats | COMEDK |
| DASA UG | Direct Admission of Students Abroad (Undergraduate) | NIT Surathkal (on behalf of MoE) |
| DASA PG | Direct Admission of Students Abroad (Postgraduate) | NIT Surathkal (on behalf of MoE) |
State Level Architecture Entrance Exams
Several states conduct their own CET for architecture and planning seats, while many use NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 scores for state quota admission.
| State | Exam / Route |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | MAH B.Planning CET |
| MAH M.Arch CET | |
| Andhra Pradesh / Telangana | NATA score (for B.Arch in state universities) |
| Karnataka | NATA score + state counselling (KEA) / COMEDK UGET |
| Kerala | NATA score (KEAM counselling for B.Arch) |
| West Bengal | NATA / JEE Main Paper 2 score (WBJEE counselling) |
| Tamil Nadu | NATA score (counselling by DoTE / Anna University) |
| Uttar Pradesh | NATA score (UPTAC counselling for B.Arch) |
| Bihar / Jharkhand | NATA / JEE Main Paper 2 score (state counselling) |
| Other states | Admission through NATA / JEE Main Paper 2 score & respective state counselling cell |
University Level Exams
Several private universities conduct their own admission test for B.Arch / B.Planning seats, in addition to accepting NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 scores. Key university-level exams are listed below.
| University | Exam | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Sathyabama Institute of Science & Technology, Chennai | Sathyabama University Entrance Exam | UG |
| Karnataka Private Colleges (Consortium) | COMEDK UGET | UG (B.Arch) |
| Maharashtra State Universities | MAH B.Planning CET | UG (B.Plan) |
| Maharashtra State Universities | MAH M.Arch CET | PG (M.Arch) |
Top Exams for Architecture Admission in 2026
Of the exams listed above, the following are the most widely accepted and most competitive options for architecture aspirants in 2026.
| Exam | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| NATA | Council-of-Architecture-conducted aptitude + drawing test. Accepted by 400+ B.Arch colleges across India. The default route for most architecture aspirants. |
| JEE Main Paper 2 | NTA-conducted national test. Paper 2A for B.Arch (NITs, SPAs, IIITs, GFTIs) and Paper 2B for B.Planning. Counselling via JoSAA / CSAB. |
| JEE Advanced AAT | Drawing & aptitude test taken by JEE-Advanced-qualified candidates for B.Arch admission at IIT Roorkee and IIT Kharagpur. |
| GATE (Architecture & Planning) | National-level PG entrance for M.Arch / M.Plan admission at IITs, NITs and several CFTIs. Also accepted by PSU recruiters. |
| COMEDK UGET | Karnataka private-college consortium test offering B.Arch seats in addition to engineering. |
| DASA | Route for NRIs / foreign nationals to gain direct B.Arch / M.Arch admission at NITs and select Centrally-Funded Technical Institutes. |
Courses Offered Through These Exams
Architecture entrance exams open doors to a spectrum of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across architectural design, planning, conservation and allied disciplines.
Diploma & Foundation Courses
- Diploma in Architecture
- Diploma in Architectural Assistantship
- Certificate / Foundation in Architectural Drawing
Undergraduate (UG) Courses
- Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) — 5-year programme
- Bachelor of Planning (B.Plan) — 4-year programme
- B.Des. in Interior Architecture & Design
B.Arch vs B.Plan: B.Arch focuses on building design (singular structures, 2D and 3D), while B.Plan is built around urban, regional and environmental planning at a larger scale.
Postgraduate (PG) Courses
- Master of Architecture (M.Arch) — Urban Design, Landscape, Conservation, Sustainable Architecture
- Master of Planning (M.Plan) — Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Environmental Planning, Housing
- M.Des. in Interior & Industrial Design
M.Arch vs M.Plan: M.Arch requires a B.Arch background and specialises in architectural disciplines like urban design and conservation. M.Plan, in contrast, is open to graduates from architecture, geography, sociology, civil engineering and related fields and focuses on planning at city, regional and policy level.
Doctoral (PhD) Programmes
- Ph.D. in Architecture (Design Theory / History / Sustainability)
- Ph.D. in Urban & Regional Planning
- Ph.D. in Building Science / Environmental Design
Eligibility Criteria for Architecture Entrance Exam 2026
Eligibility varies by exam level. The general framework prescribed by the Council of Architecture and most state authorities is summarised below.
| Level | Academic Qualification | Minimum Marks | Mandatory Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (B.Arch) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics; OR 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics | 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD) | Mathematics is compulsory |
| Undergraduate (B.Plan) | 10+2 with Mathematics (any stream) | 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD) | Mathematics |
| Postgraduate (M.Arch) | B.Arch degree from a CoA-recognised institution | 50–55% aggregate (varies by institute) | — |
| Postgraduate (M.Plan) | B.Arch / B.Plan / B.E. (Civil) / equivalent in a relevant discipline | 50–55% aggregate | — |
| Doctoral (PhD) | Master’s degree in Architecture / Planning / related field | 55% (relaxation for reserved categories) | — |
Always confirm exam-specific eligibility on the official notification — many universities have additional subject and aggregate requirements.
Common Exam Pattern
Most architecture entrance exams combine an aptitude / MCQ section with a drawing or design-thinking component. A representative pattern (based on NATA and JEE Main Paper 2A) is given below.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online MCQ + Drawing (paper-based or digital) |
| Duration | 3 hours (typical) |
| Sections | Mathematics, General Aptitude, Drawing & Visual Reasoning |
| Type of Questions | MCQ, MSQ, Numerical-Answer Type, Drawing |
| Approximate Marks | 200 (NATA) / 400 (JEE Main Paper 2A) |
| Negative Marking | Yes, for JEE Main Paper 2 (–1 per wrong MCQ); none in Drawing |
| Medium | English & Hindi (most exams) |
How to Prepare — Step-by-Step Plan
A structured 6–8 month plan that balances Mathematics, aptitude and drawing is ideal for cracking architecture admission tests. Follow these steps:
- Read the latest official syllabus for your target exam (NATA / JEE Main Paper 2 / state CET / university test) and map every topic.
- Build a strong base in Class 11 & 12 Mathematics — coordinate geometry, calculus, trigonometry and 3-D geometry are critical for the architecture admission test.
- Practise freehand drawing daily — perspectives, light & shade, urban sketching, memory drawing and 3-D composition.
- Strengthen visual reasoning and aptitude — pattern recognition, mental rotation, scale, proportion and architectural history.
- Solve at least 10 years of previous question papers — NATA, JEE Main Paper 2 and the major state CETs.
- Take weekly full-length mock tests on AglaSem Mock Test in CBT mode to build speed and accuracy.
- Maintain a sketchbook portfolio — examiners value original, well-composed drawing more than perfect copying.
- Reach the exam centre an hour early with admit card, drawing kit (pencils, eraser, sharpener, colour pencils where allowed) and valid photo ID.
Top Architecture Colleges in India
India has over 450 CoA-recognised B.Arch colleges. Some of the most prominent institutions admitting candidates through architecture admission test scores are:
| Institute | Location | Admission Route |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Roorkee | Roorkee | JEE Advanced + AAT |
| IIT Kharagpur | Kharagpur | JEE Advanced + AAT |
| SPA Delhi | New Delhi | JEE Main Paper 2 (JoSAA) |
| SPA Bhopal / SPA Vijayawada | Bhopal / Vijayawada | JEE Main Paper 2 (JoSAA) |
| NIT Calicut / Trichy / Hamirpur / Patna / Raipur / Rourkela / Nagpur / Jaipur (MNIT) / Bhopal (MANIT) | Various | JEE Main Paper 2 (JoSAA) |
| Sir J.J. College of Architecture | Mumbai | NATA + MHT-CET counselling |
| CEPT University | Ahmedabad | NATA + CEPT-specific evaluation |
| Chandigarh College of Architecture | Chandigarh | NATA / JEE Main Paper 2 |
| BMS College of Architecture | Bengaluru | NATA / COMEDK |
| Manipal School of Architecture & Planning | Manipal | NATA + university aptitude |
Career Scope After Architecture Course
A B.Arch, B.Plan or higher degree obtained through any architecture admission test opens up roles in design practice, urban planning, government, real estate, academia and allied creative industries.
- Architectural practice — Architect, Associate Architect, Design Architect, Partner at private architecture firms.
- Specialised design — Landscape Architect, Interior Designer, Urban Designer, Heritage Conservation Architect, Sustainable Design Consultant.
- Planning & government — Town Planner, Regional Planner, Architect at CPWD / MES / state PWD / Smart Cities Mission, Estate Manager.
- Real estate & construction — Project Manager, Construction Manager, Structural Engineer, Cost & Estimation Specialist, CAD / BIM Technician.
- Academia & research — Assistant Professor at architecture schools, researcher at SPA / IIT-A&P / CEPT.
- Higher studies & abroad — M.Arch / M.S. opportunities in the US, UK, EU, Australia and Singapore on the back of a CoA-recognised B.Arch.
- Council of Architecture (CoA) ↗ — apex regulatory body for architectural education in India.
- NATA official website ↗ — for National Aptitude Test in Architecture notifications.
- JEE Main – NTA portal ↗ — for JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch) and Paper 2B (B.Plan).
- Respective state CET cell / DTE websites for state-level architecture admission.
- Official website of the individual university for university-level entrance exams.
Architecture Entrance Exam 2026 – FAQs
It refers to the set of national, state and university-level tests conducted in India for admission to B.Arch, B.Planning, M.Arch, M.Planning and Ph.D. programmes in architecture. The two most accepted national-level exams are NATA, conducted by the Council of Architecture, and JEE Main Paper 2, conducted by the National Testing Agency.
NATA and JEE Main Paper 2A are the two most widely accepted B.Arch entrance exams. NATA is required for admission to most CoA-recognised colleges, while JEE Main Paper 2A is mandatory for B.Arch at NITs, SPAs and other Centrally-Funded Technical Institutes. Many students appear for both to maximise their options.
Yes. As per the Council of Architecture, candidates must have studied Mathematics as a compulsory subject in Class 12 (or in a recognised 10+3 Diploma) to be eligible for B.Arch admission in India. Mathematics is also a scored section in NATA and JEE Main Paper 2A.
Yes. JEE Main Paper 2 is required only for NITs, SPAs and select CFTIs. For most CoA-recognised colleges in India, a valid NATA score is sufficient. Several private universities also accept their own entrance exam or NATA score for B.Arch admission.
B.Arch is a 5-year programme focused on building design at the scale of a single structure, in 2-D and 3-D. B.Plan is a 4-year programme focused on planning at the scale of cities, regions, transport networks and the environment. Both require Mathematics in Class 12; B.Plan is generally open to students from any 10+2 stream as long as Mathematics is present.
NATA scores are accepted by more than 400 CoA-recognised B.Arch colleges in India. These include leading institutions such as Sir J.J. College of Architecture (Mumbai), Chandigarh College of Architecture, BMS College of Architecture (Bengaluru), CEPT University (Ahmedabad), as well as state agricultural and technical universities offering B.Arch.
M.Arch admission requires a CoA-recognised B.Arch degree, with most leading institutes (IITs, NITs, SPAs, CEPT, etc.) admitting through GATE (Architecture & Planning) scores. State universities such as those under MAH M.Arch CET conduct their own test. M.Plan additionally accepts graduates of B.Plan, civil engineering and related disciplines.
The official website for NATA is nata.in, maintained by the Council of Architecture. JEE Main, including Paper 2A and Paper 2B for architecture and planning, is conducted by the National Testing Agency on jeemain.nta.nic.in. All notifications, application links, admit cards, answer keys and results are released on these official portals.
This page is a comprehensive reference for the architecture entrance exam 2026 ecosystem in India — covering national, state and university-level admission tests, course options, eligibility, exam pattern, preparation strategy and career outcomes. For real-time notifications, always cross-check with the official Council of Architecture, NTA or state authority websites linked above.
In 2019, many things have changed regarding jee
Wht Is the syllabus for JEE adv for paper 2 (barch) is it pcm or only drawing maths and aptitude. ??
Hi,
https://engineering.aglasem.com/jee-advanced-2019-syllabus/ you can see syllabus from here.
Hi i am not qualified for jee advance now can i apply for jee-AAT
yes, you can apply for this.
How can apply and what is process for it
After passing jee mains paper 2 , which are the exams i should attend ?
If I pass jee mains paper-2 with good percentile,which exams can I attend after that?
Which exam is better for b arch admission NATA or jee mains paper 12 for admission in chd. College of architecture
I want to appear for B-Arch exam, how and when to fill the form. .?
Can i apply for NATA and JEE 2 if i take Arts in 12th std?
if I didn’t get qualify in jee mains ll.so can I apply for another exam required for architecture
yes, but you need to apply for them before last date
I didn’t apply for NATA this year till date, now I wanted to apply. Is there possibilities to apply for this year.
Sorry, but for this year the registration for NATA is over.