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

National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )

DeskCalelnderExam On - 4 Apr '26

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. 

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.

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.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
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.

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

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)
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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
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
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. 

Q:   What is the exam date of NATA?
A: 

NATA 2026 exam will be conducted multiple times in a year. The exam date of the NATA exam are from April to August 2026. The exam will be conducted on Friday and Saturday throughout the month. 

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

Want better recommendations?

There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
Howrah
#4 NIRF
₹6.25 L
Ahmedabad
#6 NIRF
₹22.75 L
Rourkela
#7 NIRF
₹6.25 L
Delhi
#8 NIRF
₹4.00 L
Tiruchirappalli
#9 NIRF
₹6.25 L
Nagpur
#10 NIRF
₹6.25 L
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Explore more Architecture & Planning exams with upcoming dates

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17 Apr '26

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1 Jun '26 - 2 Jun '26

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30 May '26

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 writes content on Engineering and Architecture exams. She has completed MSc Physics. She has 8+ years of work experience in the education industry. She likes painting and travelling.

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Student Forum

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Write here...

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, students can get admission in SPA Delhi without NATA. Students with a score in the JEE Main Paper II are also eligible for BArch admissions. For other programmes, scores of exams, such as GATE, UCEED are also accepted.

N

Nishtha Hazarika

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

All the candidates who have registered and booked the slot will receive the admit card. NATA 2026 admit card will be available online at nata.in. Registered candidates will be able to download the admit card by logging into their account 2-3 days before the selected exam slot. 

I

Ishita Patra

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

The last date to apply for NATA 2026 will be in August 2026. The registration for NATA 2026 will begins. The application form released on March 9, 2026.

M

Mohit Gaurav

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

The last date to apply for NATA 2026 will be in August. The NATA application form was released on March 9, 2026.

D

Dhanya B

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

No common counselling will be conducted for NATA 2026 qualified candidates. Counselling will be conducted by the individual colleges based on the NATA score. Therefore, candidates can apply to any architecture college with NATA result. 

P

Pallavi Sinha

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

NATA 2026 exam will be conducted multiple times in a year. The exam date of the NATA exam are from April to August 2026. The exam will be conducted on Friday and Saturday throughout the month. 

A

Akansha Karan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

The NATA exam includes the Drawing section and the MCQ section. The drawing section is considered more difficult than the MCQs. Candidates must practice 5 to 7 drawings every day to score well in the exam.

A

Aishwarya Garg

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

The NATA 2026 exam will be conducted for 200 Marks. The candidates must score above 80 marks to get admission in the top colleges. 

M

Mohit Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, NATA is not a tough exam. The difficulty level of NATA is easy to moderate. Candidates must be well prepared with the drawings and architecture aptitude. 

S

Shikha Hazarika

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

Candidates can crack NATA through proper planning and strategies. Candidates must check the exam pattern before they start the preparation. 

  • For the Aptitude Test, candidates can expect questions based on Indian and world architectural structures, designs, colour, and pattern. Therefore, read books a

...Read more

P

Parul Pandey

Contributor-Level 7