NATA 2025: Top Architecture Colleges (NIRF Ranking 2024), Best Courses, Jobs, Benefits and Preparation Tips

National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )

Updated on Oct 8, 2025 14:48 IST
NATA is a national-level test conducted for admission to undergraduate courses in architecture. The candidates can check this article to learn the benefits of NATA 2024, preparation tips for NATA, top architecture courses in India etc. Check here to learn about NATA 2024.

NATA 2026 is an entrance exam conducted in India for admission to undergraduate architecture courses. NATA exam is administered by the Council of Architecture (COA). NATA Registration 2026 will begin in February 2026. NATA exam dates 2026 will be from March 1, 2026, to June 2026. Read more to know Top Architecture Colleges Based on NIRF Ranking, Best Courses, Benefits and Preparation Tips.

NATA Architecture

NATA Architecture

NATA 2026: NATA, is an entrance exam in India for undergraduate architecture courses, conducted by Council of Architecture. NATA exam will examine a candidate's skills in drawing, observation, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity, critical thinking, and mathematics. NATA is a computer-based test held multiple times a year across various centres in India. NATA exam dates are announced on official website. 

Explore colleges based on NATA

Roorkee
#1 NIRF
₹10.00 L
Calicut
#2 NIRF
₹6.25 L
Kharagpur
#3 NIRF
₹10.00 L
Delhi
#5 NIRF
₹96.63 K

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Howrah
#4 NIRF
₹6.25 L
Ahmedabad
#6 NIRF
₹22.75 L
Delhi
#8 NIRF
₹4.00 L
Rourkela
#7 NIRF
₹6.25 L
Tiruchirappalli
#9 NIRF
₹6.25 L
Nagpur
#10 NIRF
₹6.25 L
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Eligibility for NATA exam requires candidates to have completed their Class 12 with at least 50% Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics marks. NATA application form is generally available from March. NATA is an important step for students aiming to pursue a career in architecture, as successful candidates can gain admission to top architecture colleges.

Q:   Will NATA be held online?
A:

NATA will be conducted by the authorities as an online  i.e., computer-based and offline test. The MCQ section will be held as a computer-based test, while the drawing and composition test will be held as an offline test. CoA will conduct NATA at various centres. All registered candidates will have to report to their allotted centres and attempt the examination through the systems provided there. The detailed information regarding NATA exam pattern has been announced online.

Q:   How can I create a good timetable for NATA preparation?
A:

Creating a timetable is very important for preparation process of NATA. Students are advised to prepare a timetable that will allow them to complete syllabus well before the examination. While creating timetable, candidates should ensure that the entire syllabus is equally distributed. The subjects and topics should be divided well so that the candidates cover different units in a day and the studying process does not become monotonous. The daily study routine should also include revision and mock test. It is very important that the timetable is created considering the aptitude of the candidate.

Q:   Where can I check the NATA exam centres?
A:

CoA will prepare and release the list of NATA exam cities online at nata.in. From the list of exam cities released by the authorities, the candidates will be able to make their choice. The preferred three exam cities for NATA has to be selected in the order of preference while filling out the application form. The allotment of NATA exam centres will be done based on the candidate's preferences and availabilty of centres. The candidates will be able to check the details of their allotted exam centres through the NATA admit card.

Table of contents
  • Benefits of NATA Exam
  • Top 25 Architecture Colleges Based on NIRF Ranking 2024
  • Top Architecture Colleges in India
  • Jobs After an Architecture Course

Benefits of NATA Exam

Passing NATA exam qualifies candidates to apply for undergraduate architecture courses at various colleges across India. Based on NATA scores, candidates can apply to preferred colleges. After earning an undergraduate degree in architecture, candidates have option to pursue a Master's degree in the field or work as an architect in various firms, government organisations, or even start own practice.

Top 25 Architecture Colleges Based on NIRF Ranking 2024

The candidates can check table below for the names of the Top 25 Architecture Colleges in India based on the NIRF Ranking. The candidates can apply to the best architecture colleges by knowing the NIRF Ranking of the colleges. 

Architecture Colleges NIRF Ranking
India Institute of Technology, Roorkee 1
India Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 2
National Institute of Technology, Calicut 3
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur 4
School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi 5
Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University 6
Jamia Millia Islamia 7
National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli 8
National Institute of Technology Rourkela 9
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology Nagpur 10
S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology 11
School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal 12
Chandigarh University 13
Aligarh Muslim University 14
Malaviya National Institute of Technology 15
School of Planning and Architecture Vijayawada 16
Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology 17
College of Engineering, Trivandrum 18
Nirma University 19
Birla Institute of Technology 20
M. S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology 21
Dr. M. G. R. Educational and Research Institute 22
BMS College of Architecture 23
Lovely Professional University 24
Amity University 25

Best Architecture Courses

Explore more Architecture & Planning exams with upcoming dates

Last date to apply for March A...

27 Feb '26

AAT 2026 application form dates

2 Jun '26

TANATA 2026 application form

30 May '26

Q:   I have not been allotted into my first preferred NATA exam city. What should I do?
A:

It is to be noted that there are chances of cases arising where the candidates will not be allotted centres within their first preferred NATA exam city. The allotment of centres will depend on many factors including preferences, centre availability, total number of candidates for the particular test centre, etc. Hence, the authorities can add or remove centres as per the requirements. If the first preferred city is not available due to some particular reason, then the candidates will be allotted centres as per their second and third preference. 

Q:   Will the NATA exam centres allow the candidates to deposit their personal belongings?
A:

Candidates are advised to let parents/guardians safekeep their personal belongings during NATA. However, if candidate is unaccompanied, then they can request NATA authorities to deposit personal belongings during the entrance examination. However, authorities bear no responsibilities for the loss of belongings. Therefore, candidates are advised to not carry expensive and important belongings to examination centre. 

Here are some of top architecture courses in India:
  • Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)
  • Bachelor of Planning (BPlan)
  • Diploma in Architecture (DArch)
  • Master of Architecture (MArch)
  • Master of Planning (MPlan)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Planning and Management (PGDUPM)
  • Integrated (MArch)

Top Architecture Colleges in India

The list of Top BArch Colleges in India that accept NATA scores.
  • Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy College of Architecture, Mumbai
  • IIT Roorkee
  • Chandigarh College of Architecture
  • NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • NIT Calicut

Jobs After an Architecture Course

Job opportunities in field of architecture become available after completion of the course. Here are some career paths you can explore:
  • Architect
  • Interior Designer
  • Urban Planner
  • Landscape Architect
  • Set Designer
  • Construction Manager
About the Author

Dhanya specialises in writing content on engineering and architecture exams. She has done MSc in Physics with more than 10 years of work experience in education industry. With a natural talent in creative arts, she

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Answered 2 days ago

The Anant National University accepts the NATA cutoff ranks for admission to the BArch courses. The Anant National University NATA cutoff 2024 for the General AI category ranged from 21013 in the first round closing ranks and remained unchanged in the last round closing ranks.  On the other hand, th

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Nirma University NATA cutoff 2024 has been released for admissions to BArch programme. In the first round NATA Cutoff 2024 was 11086 for the General AI category, and the last round closing cutoff was also 11086. For the General HS quota, the closing cutoff was again 11086

On the other hand, for the

...Read more

N

Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10