120 marks in NATA 2026 Phase 2 is above the minimum qualifying cutoff for General category students and puts you in a competitive range for mid-tier government and private architecture colleges across India.
NATA 2026 Phase 2 results are expected on July 18, 2026. The exam is out of 200 marks, making 120 equal to 60% of the total. This score comfortably clears the qualifying threshold set by the Council of Architecture (COA) but falls short of what the top national institutes require. Mapping 120 marks against previous year cutoffs will help you build a realistic college list before counselling begins.
- NATA 2026 Phase 2 is out of 200 marks; scoring 120 equals 60%.
- The minimum qualifying cutoff for General category is typically 80–90 marks; a score of 120 clears this by a comfortable margin.
- Based on 2025 trends, 120 marks makes you eligible for BKPS Chandigarh, GCA Ahmedabad, BMS Bangalore, and several state government colleges.
- Top institutes like SPA Delhi (155+) and NIT Trichy (145+) require significantly higher scores for the General category.
- If you appeared in Phase 1 as well, most state counselling bodies use the best of your two phase scores for admissions.
| Direct Link to NATA 2026 Phase 2 Result (Active) | nata.in |
NATA 2026 Phase 2 Total Marks and Score Bands
NATA 2026 is conducted by the Council of Architecture and carries a total of 200 marks. The test covers spatial aptitude, general aptitude, and drawing ability through a mix of multiple-choice questions, numerical answer-type questions, and a drawing section. Scoring 120 out of 200 means you have secured 60% of the total marks.
The table below shows how 120 marks compares against broad NATA score bands based on previous year admission trends:
| Score Range (out of 200) | Score Band | Expected College Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 150 and above | Excellent | Top national institutes: SPA Delhi, NIT Trichy, CEPT Ahmedabad |
| 130 – 149 | Good | State government colleges, Jamia Millia Islamia, SPA Vijayawada |
| 110 – 129 | Safe Qualifying | Mid-tier government colleges, reputed private colleges |
| 80 – 109 | Borderline Qualifying | Private colleges and a few state-affiliated government colleges |
| Below 80 | Below Qualifying (General) | May not meet the minimum cutoff for General category admission |
A score of 120 places you in the safe qualifying band (110–129), which means you have genuine admission options without being limited to only bottom-tier private colleges.
NATA 2026 Qualifying Cutoff vs 120 Marks
COA releases a minimum qualifying score after each phase. Students below this threshold are not eligible for B.Arch counselling regardless of their 12th marks. Based on NATA 2024 and 2025 patterns, the expected qualifying cutoffs for NATA 2026 are as follows. The official figures will be published at nata.in on result day.
| Category | Expected Qualifying Cutoff (out of 200) | Status at 120 Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 80 – 90 | Qualifies |
| OBC | 72 – 80 | Qualifies |
| SC | 60 – 72 | Qualifies |
| ST | 60 – 65 | Qualifies |
| PwD / EWS | 60 – 72 | Qualifies |
Students who score 120 marks clear the qualifying threshold in every reservation category. This makes you eligible to register for state-level B.Arch counselling and apply to participating colleges.
Previous Year NATA Cutoffs: Category-wise Comparison
Individual college closing cutoffs depend on the institute, state counselling board rules, seat availability, and the overall difficulty level of that NATA phase. The data below shows expected NATA 2026 closing cutoffs based on 2024–25 trends and should be treated as indicative until official merit lists are released.
| Institute | General Closing Score (Expected) | OBC Closing Score (Expected) | SC/ST Closing Score (Expected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPA Delhi | 155+ | 145+ | 130+ |
| NIT Trichy — B.Arch | 145+ | 135+ | 120+ |
| NIT Calicut — B.Arch | 140+ | 130+ | 115+ |
| CEPT Ahmedabad | 135+ | 125+ | 110+ |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | 125+ | 115+ | 100+ |
| BKPS Chandigarh College of Architecture | 120+ | 110+ | 95+ |
| GCA Ahmedabad (Government College) | 115+ | 105+ | 90+ |
| BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore | 108 – 118 | 98 – 110 | 88 – 100 |
| Private architecture colleges (average) | 80 – 110 | 72 – 100 | 60 – 90 |
A score of 120 sits right at or above the expected closing cutoff for mid-tier government colleges in the General category. For OBC, SC, and ST students, the same score is competitive for several better-ranked institutes, including borderline eligibility at some NIT B.Arch programmes.
Architecture Colleges You Can Target with 120 Marks in NATA 2026
The table below gives a practical, category-aware targeting guide for students who score 120 marks in NATA 2026 Phase 2:
| College Tier | Example Institutes | Realistic Chances at 120 Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Top national institutes | SPA Delhi, NIT Trichy, CEPT Ahmedabad | Unlikely for General; possible for ST at NIT Trichy |
| Mid-tier state government colleges | BKPS Chandigarh, GCA Ahmedabad, state architecture schools | Borderline for General; good for OBC; strong for SC/ST |
| Reputed private and deemed universities | BMS Bangalore, MAHE Manipal, Amity School of Architecture | Good to strong chances across categories |
| State-affiliated private colleges | Colleges across Maharashtra, Karnataka, UP, Rajasthan | Strong — 120 is well above average closing cutoffs |
Students who appeared in both NATA Phase 1 and Phase 2 should check which score is higher before applying, as most state counselling bodies count only the best phase score.
What to Do After Scoring 120 in NATA 2026 Phase 2
Use the period between result day and counselling registration to prepare your application strategy:
- Download your NATA 2026 Phase 2 scorecard from nata.in on July 18, 2026, as soon as it is available.
- Compare both phase scores and identify which is higher for state counselling submission.
- Shortlist colleges where the expected closing cutoff in your category is at or below 120, prioritising government colleges for better fee structures.
- Register for state counselling early — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, UP, and other states each run separate B.Arch counselling with independent schedules and deadlines.
- Confirm 12th eligibility — most B.Arch programmes require a minimum of 50% aggregate in 10+2 with Mathematics; verify this for each college on your list.
- Organise your documents: NATA 2026 scorecard, 10th and 12th marksheets, category certificate (if applicable), valid photo ID, and recent passport-size photographs.
NATA 2026 Phase 2 Score 120 FAQs
Ques. What is the total marks for NATA 2026 Phase 2?
Ans. NATA 2026 Phase 2 is out of 200 marks. The exam covers spatial aptitude, general aptitude, and drawing through a mix of MCQ, numerical answer-type, and drawing questions.
Ques. Is 120 out of 200 a good score in NATA 2026?
Ans. Yes, 120 marks (60%) is a safe qualifying score in NATA 2026. It clears the minimum qualifying cutoff for all categories and makes you eligible for mid-tier government colleges and most reputed private architecture colleges in India.
Ques. Which colleges can I get with 120 marks in NATA 2026 Phase 2?
Ans. Based on previous year trends, 120 marks is competitive for BKPS Chandigarh, GCA Ahmedabad, BMS Bangalore, and several state government architecture colleges. Institutes like SPA Delhi, NIT Trichy, and CEPT Ahmedabad typically close above 135–155 marks for the General category.
Ques. What is the expected NATA 2026 qualifying cutoff for General category?
Ans. Based on NATA 2024 and 2025 patterns, the expected qualifying cutoff for General category is around 80–90 marks out of 200. The official cutoff will be declared by COA on result day and published at nata.in.
Ques. Can OBC or SC/ST students get better colleges with 120 marks in NATA 2026?
Ans. Yes. Reservation category cutoffs are lower, so the same score unlocks more options. OBC students at 120 marks can target Jamia Millia Islamia and many state government colleges. SC/ST students have a realistic chance at select NIT B.Arch programmes where expected closing cutoffs are around 115–120 marks.
Ques. Does a NATA Phase 2 score of 120 help if my Phase 1 score was lower?
Ans. Yes. Most state counselling authorities accept the best of your Phase 1 and Phase 2 scores. If your Phase 2 score of 120 is higher than your Phase 1 score, it will be used for admissions. Always check the specific rules of the state counselling body you are applying to.
Comments