Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The Master of Planning (M.Plan) in Urban Planning at Government Engineering College Thrissur (GECT) is a 2-year, 4-semester postgraduate professional programme offered under the Architecture Department, affiliated to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU). The programme has an approved intake of 18 seats and is offered in full-time on-campus mode. The total fees for the programme are approximately Rs. 19,340 for the entire 2-year duration, making it one of the most affordable M.Plan programmes in Kerala. Admission is through the MCAP (M.Tech/M.Plan Common Admission Process) conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Kerala, primarily based on GATE scores. The M.Plan programme is designed for graduates in Architecture, Planning, or related fields who wish to specialize in urban planning, land use planning, housing, transportation planning, and sustainable urban development.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch have been completed. For the 2027-28 batch, the MCAP process is expected to begin tentatively in May-June 2027, with admissions in July-August 2027. GATE 2027 was conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2027, and results were declared on March 19, 2027. Candidates with valid GATE scores are eligible to apply. Non-GATE candidates may also be considered for spot admissions if seats remain vacant after the regular allotment process.

Key Points

Offered under the Architecture Department, focusing on urban planning, land use, housing, transportation, and sustainable development
Admission is primarily through GATE scores via the MCAP (M.Plan Common Admission Process) by DTE Kerala
Non-GATE candidates may be considered for spot admissions if seats remain vacant
Affiliated to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU)
Intake is limited to 18 seats, making it a highly specialized and competitive programme
M.Plan is a professional planning degree distinct from M.Tech, recognized by planning bodies

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

GECT M.Plan Fees

The M.Plan (Urban Planning) programme at GECT Thrissur is highly affordable as a government institution. The total fee for the entire 2-year programme is approximately Rs. 19,340 for general category students. SC/ST and OEC candidates are eligible for fee concessions as per government norms. Fees are paid semester-wise.

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fees	~5,085	~9,170	~14,255
Registration Fees	~1,000	-	~1,000
Examination Fees	~2,000	~2,085	~4,085
Total Academic Fees	~10,170	~9,170	~19,340
Hostel Fees (if availed)	Variable	Variable	1,080 - 4,430 per year
Total Fees (without hostel)	~10,170	~9,170	~19,340

Fees are approximate and subject to revision as per Government of Kerala and KTU orders.
SC/ST and OEC candidates are eligible for fee concession/waiver under government schemes.
Hostel fees are not mandatory; applicable only if the student opts for hostel accommodation.
Fees are paid semester-wise; no EMI option is available.

GECT M.Plan Admission 2026

Admission to M.Plan (Urban Planning) at GECT Thrissur is through the MCAP (M.Tech/M.Plan Common Admission Process) conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Kerala. Candidates with valid GATE scores are given priority. The 2026-27 admissions have been completed. For 2027-28, the MCAP process is expected to begin in May-June 2027, with admissions in July-August 2027. GATE 2027 results were declared on March 19, 2027.

College Admission Dates

Event	2026-27 (Actual/Reference)	2027-28 (Tentative)
MCAP Application Start	May 2026	May 2027
MCAP Application Last Date	June 2026	June 2027
Rank List / Merit List Publication	June-July 2026	June-July 2027
First Allotment & Joining	July 2026	July 2027
Second Allotment	July-August 2026	July-August 2027
Spot Admission (if seats vacant)	August 13, 2026	August 2027
Batch Commencement	August 2026	August 2027

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Conducting Body	Mode	2027 Dates
GATE 2027 (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)	IIT Guwahati	Online (CBT)	Feb 7, 8, 14, 15, 2027
GATE 2027 Result	IIT Guwahati	-	March 19, 2027

GATE score is the primary criterion for M.Plan (Urban Planning) admission at GECT Thrissur through MCAP. The relevant GATE paper is AR (Architecture and Planning). Non-GATE candidates may be considered for spot admissions if seats remain vacant after the regular MCAP allotment.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor's degree in Architecture (B.Arch), Planning (B.Plan), or equivalent from a recognized university with minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved category candidates)
Valid GATE score (preferred); non-GATE candidates may be considered for spot admissions
Candidates must satisfy the eligibility norms as prescribed by KTU and DTE Kerala

Admission Process

Appear for GATE 2027 (AR - Architecture and Planning paper) and obtain a valid score
Register for MCAP through the DTE Kerala portal during the application window
Submit application with GATE scorecard, academic documents, and other required certificates
Receive allotment through the MCAP process based on GATE rank and options submitted
Remit the prescribed fee and report to GECT Thrissur on the notified joining date with all original documents

GECT M.Plan Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to M.Plan (Urban Planning) at GECT Thrissur can avail various government scholarships. As a government institution with very affordable fees, students from economically weaker sections can benefit significantly from state and central government scholarship schemes.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Offered By
E-Grantz Scholarship	SC/ST/OEC and backward community students with annual family income below Rs. 1 lakh	Full tuition fee reimbursement (up to Rs. 15,000/year)	Government of Kerala
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	SC/ST students	Full tuition fee + maintenance allowance	Government of India / State Government
Central Sector Scholarship	Top 20 percentile in 12th standard, family income below Rs. 8 lakh	Rs. 10,000/year (PG level)	Ministry of Education, Govt. of India
Merit Cum Means (MCM) Scholarship for Minorities	Minority community students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh	Up to Rs. 30,000/year	Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India
SAFE Scholarship (Alumni)	Financially backward students with good academic record	Rs. 10,000/year	GECT Alumni Association
Prime Minister's Scholarship	Wards of ex-servicemen/ex-coast guard personnel	Rs. 3,000/month (girls), Rs. 2,500/month (boys)	Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India

E-Grantz applications are submitted online through the Kerala government portal each academic year.
SC/ST students are eligible for fee concession at the time of allotment itself.
Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to revision by the respective authorities.

GEC Thrissur M.Plan Urban Planning Ranking

IIRF Ranking

#36 out of 48 in Top Public Colleges in India 2025

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GECT M.Plan FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between M.Plan (Urban Planning) and M.Tech (Urban Planning) at GECT Thrissur?

Ans. GECT Thrissur offers both M.Plan (Urban Planning) and M.Tech (Urban Planning) under the Architecture Department. The M.Plan is a professional planning degree focused on urban planning practice, policy, and design, while the M.Tech is more technology-oriented. Both are 2-year programmes affiliated to KTU. Admission to both is through MCAP/GATE. Students should choose based on their career goals.

Ques. Is GATE mandatory for M.Plan (Urban Planning) admission at GECT Thrissur?

Ans. GATE score is the primary criterion for admission through the MCAP process. However, non-GATE candidates may be considered for spot admissions if seats remain vacant after the regular allotment. It is strongly recommended to have a valid GATE score for a better chance of admission.

Ques. Which GATE paper should I appear for M.Plan (Urban Planning) at GECT Thrissur?

Ans. Candidates should appear for the AR (Architecture and Planning) paper in GATE. This is the relevant paper for M.Plan (Urban Planning) admission. Candidates with B.Arch or B.Plan degrees are eligible to appear for the AR paper.

Ques. What is the total fee for M.Plan (Urban Planning) at GECT Thrissur?

Ans. The total fee for the entire 2-year M.Plan programme is approximately Rs. 19,340 for general category students. This is significantly lower than private planning colleges. SC/ST and OEC students are eligible for fee concessions. Hostel fees are additional and optional.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after M.Plan (Urban Planning) from GECT Thrissur?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as urban planners, town planners, and planning consultants in government agencies (TCPO, HUDCO, development authorities), municipal corporations, real estate firms, and infrastructure companies. They can also work in NGOs focused on urban development, or pursue research and academic careers. Kerala's Smart City projects and urban development initiatives create significant demand for qualified planners.

Ques. Is M.Plan (Urban Planning) from GECT Thrissur recognized for government planning jobs?

Ans. Yes, M.Plan from a KTU-affiliated government institution like GECT Thrissur is recognized for government planning positions. Graduates can apply for positions in the Town and Country Planning Department, Kerala, as well as central government planning bodies. The degree is also recognized for registration with the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI).