NATA 2026: Registration (Started), Exam Dates, Result , Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility Criteria

National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026 ( NATA )

DeskCalelnderExam On - 4 Apr '26

Dhanya B
Updated on Mar 16, 2026 09:12 IST

By Dhanya B

NATA 2026 registration has started. NATA application link is active at nata.in. NATA exam commences on April 4, 2026. The NATA 2026 information brochure is available at the Council of Architecture website, coa.gov.in. The phase 1 exam will be conducted every Friday and Saturday from April 4, 2026, to June 13, 2026. The phase 2 exam will be conducted on August 7 and 8, 2026.

Candidates can take upto three attempts of the entrance test. The best score of 3 attempts will be considered for admission. Candidates can apply for the NATA Architect Exam, book a slot and immediately appear for the exam on the available slots. Candidates must check the exam slots available and then fill in their preferred exam slot while filling out the application form. NATA 2026 admit card will be available online 2-3 days before the exam slot selected by candidates.

The NATA question paper will have two sections: Drawing and Composition (online test) and MCQ section (offline test). The exam is conducted for total of 200 Marks. NATA 2026 result will be announced within 7 days of the exam. Qualifying in NATA 2026 is mandatory for admission to BArch degree offered by various colleges across India. No common counselling will be conducted for NATA 2026 qualified candidates. 

=>> Direct Link to Register for NATA 2026

 

Table of contents
  • What is NATA?
  • NATA 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
  • NATA 2026 Highlights
  • Registration Details of NATA 2026
  • How to check NATA Result 2026
  • NATA Exam Syllabus
  • Test Paper Pattern of NATA entrance exam
  • NATA Study Plan 2026
  • NATA Hall Ticket Download
  • NATA Answer Key 2026
  • NATA 2026 Counselling
  • Previous Years' NATA Statistics
  • NATA 2026 Contact Information
  • NATA 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
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What is NATA?

NATA is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA) for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate programmes in Architecture (5-year BArch). Candidates can choose to appear in one or a maximum of 3 exams. NATA is an aptitude test that will assess the candidate’s ability through a variety of testing formats. NATA measures the aptitude of the candidate in Architecture, by assessing the cognitive skills, visual perception and aesthetic sensitivity tests, logical reasoning and critical thinking ability, etc.

Previous Year NATA Paper Analysis

Over the last five years, the NATA exam pattern remained the same, but there was a minor change in the difficulty level. The overall difficulty level was between easy and moderate. The drawing and designing section remained the high-scoring area across all the years, with repeated themes like perspective, composition and visual creativity. Mathematics questions were straightforward and concept-based, while aptitude and visual reasoning became more analytical by 2025.

NATA 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NATA 2026 exam

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
04 Apr ' 26

NATA 2026 exam commencement date

04 Apr ' 26 - 13 Jun ' 26

NATA 2026 Phase 1 Exam(Friday and Saturday)

07 Aug ' 26 - 08 Aug ' 26

NATA 2026 Phase 2 Exam

DatesPast Exam Dates
09 Mar ' 26

NATA 2026 application form start date

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NATA 2026 Highlights

The detailed NATA 2026 highlights can be checked from the table given below.

Particulars Details
Name of the Exam National Aptitude Test for Architecture or NATA
Conducted By Council of Architecture
Exam Level Undergraduate 
Exam Frequency Thrice
Mode of Exam Computer-Based and Offline Test
Course offered through the exam BArch
Exam Fees

For One Attempt:

  • General Category Male Candidates - INR 1,750
  • General Category Female Candidates - INR 1,250
  • SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male Candidates -  INR 1,250
  • SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male Candidates -  INR 1,000

For Two Attempts:

  • General Category Male Candidates - INR 3,250
  • General Category Female Candidates - INR 2,250
  • SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male Candidates -  INR 2,250
  • SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male Candidates -  INR 1,750

For Three Attempts

  • General Category Male Candidates - INR 4,500
  • General Category Female Candidates - INR 3,000
  • SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male Candidates -  INR 3,000
  • SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male Candidates -  INR 2,500
Exam Duration

3 Hours 

Number of Papers

1

Total Questions

48

Marking Scheme

The marks will vary as per the question

Medium of Exam English and Hindi
Colleges Accepting Exam Score 365
No. of Test Cities 61
Official Website nata.in
Contact Details

NATA Email ID: nata.helpdesk2025@gmail.com

NATA Helpline: 9560707764, 9319275557

 

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Registration Details of NATA 2026

NATA application form for additional exam dates will be available online at nata.in. Candidates who meet eligibility criteria can register using NATA application form 2026 until the final date, which are yet to be announced. While filling application form of NATA 2026, candidates will have to provide valid personal, academic and contact details. Candidates will also have to select choice of exam centres in order of preference. NATA 2026 application fee must be paid online, i.e., through net banking/credit card/debit card. No other mode of fee payment will be accepted. Candidates will be eligible to attempt a maximum of three sessions of NATA 2026. It is to be noted that authorities will not accept any applications after the final date. Before NATA 2026 registration, the candidates are advised to check the official eligibility criteria. 

NATA 2026 Application Fee

Number of Tests Application Fee
Single test

General/OBC Male Candidates - INR 1750

General OBC Female Candidates - INR 1250

SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male Candidates - INR 1250

SC/ST/EWS PwD Female Candidates - INR 1000

Transgender Candidates - INR 1000

Outside India - INR 10000

Fee for two test

General/OBC Male Candidates - INR 3250

General OBC Female Candidates - INR 2250

SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male Candidates - INR 2250

SC/ST/EWS PwD Female Candidates - INR 1750

Transgender Candidates - INR 1500

Outside India - INR 18000

Fee for three test

General/OBC Male Candidates - INR 4500

General OBC Female Candidates - INR 3000

SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male Candidates - INR 3000

SC/ST/EWS PwD Female Candidates - INR 2500

Transgender Candidates - INR 2500

Outside India - INR 25000

NATA 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The CoA has revised the NATA eligibility criteria 2026. Every candidate must fulfil the NATA eligibility criteria before filling the application form:

  • Age Limit: There is no age limit to apply for NATA 2026.
  • Subjects in Class 12: Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with either Chemistry or Biology or Technical Vocational subjects or Computer Science or Information Technology or Informatics Practices or Engineering Graphics or Business Studies.
  • Qualifications: The candidates must have passed the 12th-level examination from a recognised board.
  • Marks: Candidates should have at least 45% marks in aggregate in the qualifying examination.

Diploma Holders: Candidates should have passed the 10+3 diploma examination with Mathematics as a compulsory subject with at least 45% marks in aggregate.

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How to check NATA Result 2026

NATA 2026 results will be released online. To access the results of NATA 2026, the candidates have to log in using required credentials. No other mode is being used to declare the NATA result. The candidates can check their obtained scores and qualifying status through the NATA result 2026. Since the result is required for the admission process, the candidates are advised to download and print out the NATA result. The authorities will not accept any requests for review of the allotted NATA 2026 scores.

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NATA Exam Syllabus

NATA 2026 syllabus consists of subjects, units and topics that candidates will have to study for entrance examination. To be well-prepared for entrance examination, candidates are advised to refer to NATA syllabus 2026. It is to be noted that NATA syllabus is prepared carefully to assess aptitude of candidate. Through syllabus and examination, candidates will be assessed for various reasoning skills. Candidates are advised to carefully check and be familiar with NATA syllabus before examination. Along with syllabus of NATA 2026, candidates are also advised to check official exam pattern to be well-prepared.

View Syllabus
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Test Paper Pattern of NATA entrance exam

NATA 2026 exam pattern will be available online. Details regarding how entrance examination will be held can be checked in the NATA exam pattern 2026. Understanding NATA exam pattern is essential for candidates to get good scores in NATA. According to NATA 2026 exam pattern, NATA will be held as a computer-based and offline test for 3 hours. The candidates will have to attempt objective multiple-choice, drawing and composition questions. Marks will be given based on type of questions. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. The total marks of NATA 2026 question paper are 200

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NATA Study Plan 2026

NATA 2026 preparation tips will allow candidates to know some important tips and tricks which they can use to boost potential to score well in entrance examination. Some of the important preparation tips of NATA 2026 are listed below.

  • Know the Exam Pattern, Syllabus - Candidates must check official exam pattern and syllabus of NATA 2026 before starting their preparation. Knowing what to study and how the examination will be prepared is very important and will allow the candidates to have a higher chance of scoring well. This will also make the candidates comfortable while attempting the exam.
  • Create Timetable - Preparing a personalised timetable will allow candidates to complete the syllabus before the examination date. Candidates must divide subjects and topics so that studying process does not feel monotonous. While creating the timetable, candidates must ensure that they include enough time for revision mock tests. The timetable should be prepared as per the aptitude of the candidate.
  • Attempt Mock Tests - To know progress and commonly made mistakes, candidates are also advised to regularly attempt NATA mock tests. By solving mock tests, the candidates will know more about the exam pattern, identify their progress and common mistakes, and accordingly work on it.
  • Prepare Notes - The candidates are advised to prepare notes for the tough topics so they can study them whenever they wish. Creating notes will also allow the candidates to know the important topics that they need to regularly revise so that they can perform well in the examination.
  • Revise Regularly - Candidates should make sure that they revise all of the topics and subjects regularly so they do not forget what they have studied earlier.
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NATA Hall Ticket Download

NATA 2026 admit card will be available online at nata.in. Candidates can access NATA 2026 hall ticket 2-3 days before selected exam slot. NATA admit card 2026 can be downloaded by candidates by logging in using registered email ID and password. On NATA admit card, candidates can check important details such as the examination date, time, centre, guidelines, etc.

While reporting at exam centre, candidates have to present NATA admit card and identity proof (Aadhaar Card/Voter ID/PAN Card/Driving License/Govt. Approved ID). Without NATA 2026 admit card and identity proof, the candidates will not be allowed to attempt the entrance examination.

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NATA Answer Key 2026

CoA does not release the NATA 2026 answer key online at nata.in. If released, the candidates would have been able to know the correct answers to the question paper through the NATA answer key 2026. Candidates could have used the answer key to calculate their probable secured scores in NATA 2026. While calculating the scores, the candidates would have to refer to official marking scheme as per the official NATA 2026 exam pattern. However, the calculated scores would have been indicative and could differ from the official result. Along with the answer key, the authorities were also expected to release the official NATA 2026 response sheet. 

Read more
View answer key
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NATA 2026 Counselling

CoA does not conduct a common NATA counselling. For BArch admissions, the qualified candidates will have to apply at their preferred colleges individually. There are 365 colleges (including one international campus) that accept NATA scores for admission into their 5-year BArch programs. Some of the colleges for Barch admissions through NATA scores are - World University of Design, R V School of Architecture, RVCE, Bangalore, School of Architecture and Planning, VMRF, Chennai, Sir J J College of Architecture, Mumbai, Faculty of Architecture & Ekistics, JMI, New Delhi, etc.

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Previous Years' NATA Statistics

Candidates can check the detailed previous years' statistics of NATA below.

NATA 2025 Statistics

Particulars Details
Number of registered candidates - Test 1 10,901
Number of candidates who appeared for the exam - Test 1 10,105
Number of registered candidates - Test 2 17,183
Number of candidates who appeared for the exam - Test 2 13,932 

NATA 2022 First Test Statistics

Particulars

Details

Number of candidates registered for the first session

6675

Number of candidates who appeared for the first session

5979

Number of candidates registered for the second session

5685

Number of candidates who appeared for the second session

5094

Total number of candidates registered for the first test of NATA 2022

12,360

Total number of candidates who appeared for the first test of NATA 2022

11,074

Total number of candidates who qualified the first test of NATA 2022

10,080

NATA 2022 Second Test Statistics

Particulars

Details

Total number of candidates registered for the second test of NATA 2022

16,634

Total number of candidates who appeared for the second test of NATA 2022

13,829

Total number of candidates who qualified the first test of NATA 2022

13,109

NATA 2022 Third Test Statistics

Particulars

Number of Candidates

Total candidates registered for the first session of NATA 2022 Third Test

9499

Total candidates who appeared for the first session of NATA 2022 Third Test

6290

Total candidates registered for the second session of NATA 2022 Third Test

8482

Total candidates who appeared for the second session of NATA 2022 Third Test

6237

Total number of registered candidates for NATA 2022 Third Test

17981

Total number of candidates who appeared for NATA 2022 Third Test

12527

NATA 2021 Statistics (Test 2)

Particulars Details
Number of candidates who applied for NATA 2021 25860
Number of candidates who attempted NATA 2021 21657
Number of candidates who qualified NATA 2021 11583

NATA 2021 Statistics (Test 1)

Particulars Details
Number of candidates who applied for NATA 2021 15066
Number of candidates who attempted NATA 2021 14140
Number of candidates who qualified NATA 2021 11431

 

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NATA 2026 Contact Information

Council of Architecture
Core 6-A, 1st Floor,
India Habitat Center,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003

NATA Help Desk No: 9560707764, 9319275557

Email: helpdesk.nata2024@gmail.com

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NATA 2026 Frequently Asked Questions

NATA 2026 Frequently Asked Questions

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528 Institutes accepting NATA

  • 10.00 Lakh
  • 5 years
  • |
  • Full Time
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  • Full Time
  • 10.00 Lakh
  • 5 years
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Jamia Millia Islamia

Jamia Nagar, Delhi Public

Jamia Mill
  • 96,625
  • 5 years
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  • Full Time

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