The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) 2026, conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA), is one of the primary exams for admissions in B.Arch courses. The NATA 2026 registrations are expected to begin in March 2026. The exam is likely to be conducted in multiple sessions, starting from March 2026 to August 2026, as per previous years.
| Register here for NATA 2026 - (Soon) |
- To be eligible for NATA 2026, candidates will need to have passed a 10+2 or 10+3 Diploma with mathematics as a mandatory subject.
- The exam will be structured into 2 parts. Part A: Drawing and Composition (Offline) with 80 marks, and Part B: MCQ and NCQ questions (Online) with 120 marks.
- The duration of the NATA 2026 exam is expected to be 3 hours in total.
As per previous year’s data by CoA, 25000-30000 unique candidates are expected to appear for NATA 2026 examination, out of which around 90-95% candidates are likely to clear the cutoff. - Council of Architecture
Also Check:
- NATA 2026 Application Form (Soon), Dates, Registration, Fees, Documents Required
- NATA 2026 Eligibility: Qualification, Marks Required, Age Limit, Attempts
- NATA 2026 Exam Centers, State- wise List of NATA Test Centres
Source: nata.in
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Key Summary
This article gives an elaborate view regarding NATA 2026 - syllabus, dates, exam format, eligibility, cut-offs, preparation tips, and other important details.
- The Council of Architecture(CoA) is set to conduct NATA 2026 between March to August 2026 with Registrations expected to begin from March 2026.
- Eligibility for the exam is based on a candidate passing their 10 + 2 or a 10 + 3 Diploma with Mathematics with a minimum of 45% aggregate as per 2025.
- Candidates can register for One or Two sessions initially and later can choose to appear for the 3rd session.
- 60 marks would be the minimum qualifying cut off, while the admission cut off for the best colleges range from 120 to 145 as per previous years.
- NATA score is accepted by 450+ Institutions including Private and State Government Colleges.
What is NATA?
The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is a national-level examination conducted by the Council of Architecture for admission into 5-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) courses across India.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA 2026) |
| Conducting Body | Council of Architecture (CoA) |
| Course Offered | B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) |
| Exam Mode | Drawing & Composition - Offline MCQ & NCQ Test- Online |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours (90 mins for Drawing & Composition + 90 mins for MCQ & NCQ Test) |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Attempts Allowed | Up to 3 in a year; best score considered |
| Language / Medium | English & Hindi |
Source: nata.in
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Ques. When will NATA 2026 registration start?
Ans. The registration for NATA 2026 is expected to start from March 2026 and continue till July-August 2026. NATA 2026 is likely to be conducted in multiple sessions and the candidate's best score among all the sessions will be considered for admission.
Ques. When should I apply for NATA 2026?
Ans. Candidates should note for their own interests that they should apply as soon as the application window opens, as it is most likely that the preferred exam slots that the candidates applied for will be taken.
| Step | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Application Start | March 2026 |
| Early Registration Window | First 2 weeks after registration begins |
| Deadline | As notified by CoA |
| Exam Slot Selection | Book early for convenience |
Ques. Can I become an architect without NATA?
Ans. To study B.Arch in nearly all Indian institutes, NATA is a requirement for admission in any CoA-accredited programs. Of the available architecture colleges in India, 95% of recognized architecture colleges would only accept NATA or JEE Main Paper 2, making any alternate route extremely unlikely.
NATA Exam Dates 2026
Council of Architecture(CoA) is expected to release Registration and Exam dates for NATA 2026 by March 2026. With the exam being held into multiple sessions, the exam is expected to be conducted between March-August 2026.
- NATA 2026 is expected to be conducted in 3 sessions.
- The best score among all attempted sessions will be considered.
- Candidates can take the NATA exam 3 times in one academic year.
| NATA Dates (Expected) | NATA Events |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | NATA Registration Starts |
| Every Friday & Saturday from March 2026 to August 2026 | NATA Exam Dates 2026 |
| NATA Result Date | Within 7 Days from Test Date |
NATA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for NATA 2026, Candidates must have passed or appearing in 10+2 or 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics as a subject ,with at least 45% marks in aggregate (up to 5% relaxation for reserved category).
Source: nata.in
| Aspect | Requirement for NATA 2026 |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualification | Must have passed or be appearing in the 10+2 (Class 12) exam with Mathematics OR 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics as compulsory subject. |
| Subjects Required |
|
| Minimum Aggregate Marks | Generally 50% aggregate in the qualifying exam. Reserved categories often permitted 5% relaxation (i.e. ~45%) in aggregate. |
| Age Limit | No official age limit specified by CoA for appearing in NATA 2026. |
| Foreign Boards / NRI / International Candidates | Equivalent qualifications with Mathematics, similar minimum marks, accepted. NRI/Foreign nationals are eligible if their qualifying exam is recognized. |
| Other Conditions | Passing in all required subjects; appearing candidates are eligible; previous year’s scores (mock tests etc.) don’t affect eligibility. |
As per nata.in , If candidates appear for All 3 sessions in NATA 2026, their NATA 2025 score will be marked invalid.
Read More: NATA Eligibility
Ques. How many attempts are allowed in NATA 2026?
Ans. Candidates can appear for a maximum of three attempts of the NATA exam in a single academic year. The Council of Architecture considers the best score out of all attempts for admission purposes.These Scores are valid for 2 academic years from the attempt date.
Ques. Who is eligible for B.Arch?
Ans. To apply for the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programs, candidates must largely satisfy the academic eligibility and pass the NATA exam or JEE Main Paper 2. The Council of Architecture (CoA) and partner institutes establish the academic eligibility criteria, and about 80–85% of the applicants meet the academic eligibility each year.
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Ques. What will be the NATA 2026 cutoff ?
Ans. For NATA 2026, the qualifying cutoff is expected to be 60 marks in total out of 200,20 marks out of 80 for Part A (Drawing & Composition) and 20 marks out of 120 for Part B (MCQ & NCQ Test) as per CoA Brochure.
Ques. Is 90 a good score in NATA 2026?
Ans. As per NATA 2025, achieving a score of 90 out of 200 is considered above the qualifying cutoff and is a good score for getting admission to mid-tier architecture colleges, but this may not be appropriate for the most competitive or higher-ranked B.Arch institutes, where cutoffs are generally high, for example beginning at 120 and over. It is worth checking the specific college cutoffs and vary amongst categories.
Ques. What is the registration fee for NATA 2026?
Ans. The registration fee for General and OBC category candidates is INR 1750, for SC/ST/EWS/PwD INR 1250, for Transgender INR 1000 and for Overseas candidates INR 15000. The application fee for NATA is non refundable in any case.
NATA 2026 Registration
NATA 2026 registrations are expected to begin soon. Candidates need to select a session in which they want to appear during registration. The candidate can choose to appear for a maximum of 3 sessions in one academic year.
- The Application Fee shall be non-refundable in all cases.
- The candidates initially opting for single/ two tests may further opt for additional tests at a later stage, not exceeding three attempts.
- Multiple Application Forms submitted by the same candidate by changing the credentials will be rejected without any refund.
Candidates must carry a hard copy of their Appointment Card to the exam centre,generated upon successful completion of fee payment and selection of city.
NATA 2026 Documents
For NATA 2026 Registrations, Candidates should keep their Passport Size Coloured Photograph and Signature in jpg or jpeg format ready before filling the registration form. Also, one government issued photo identity card (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Pan Card, Driving Licence, Passport) must be carried along for verification at the exam venue.
| Document | Size & Format |
|---|---|
| Candidate’s Photograph | 4-100KB, JPG or JPEG format |
| Candidate’s Signature | 1-30KB, JPG or JPEG format |
| Appointment Card | Hard Copy format |
| Govt. Issued Photo Identity Card | Hard Copy format |
Source: nata.in
NATA 2026 Registration Fees
NATA 2026 Registration Fees is expected to be the same as previous years, which is INR 1750 for General and OBC Candidates, INR 1250 for ST,SC,EWS and PwD Candidates and INR 15000 for Foreign Candidates.
| Category | Application Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|
| General | 1,750 |
| OBC | 1,750 |
| SC | 1,250 |
| ST | 1,250 |
| EWS | 1,250 |
| PwD | 1,250 |
| Transgender | 1,000 |
| Overseas Candidates | 15,000 |
Source: nata.in
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NATA Registration Previous Years Trends
In previous years,the NATA exam was conducted in multiple sessions starting from March till August, giving candidates 3 chances to improve their score.NATA score is valid for 2 years from the date of examination.
- Approximately 23000 students appeared for NATA 2024 out of which 90-95% successfully cleared the cutoff.
- Qualifying cutoff marks for NATA 2025 was 60 out of 200.
- For the aptitude test, candidates were allotted 108 seconds for each question, this makes speed and accuracy ,a key to crack the exam.
- NATA 2025 was accepted widely by over 450+ institutions.
| Year | Registered (Unique) | Appeared (Unique) | Pass Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ~25,000 | 22,234 | 94.48% |
| 2024 | 23,461 | 19,888 | 98.49% |
| 2025 | 8233(Partial,as of March 2025) | - | ~95% |
Source: Council of Architecture
NATA 2026 Admit Card
As per previous year trends, Council of Architecture (CoA) releases admit cards 2-3 days before the exam. For NATA 2026 , the Admit Card is expected to be released by March 2026, a few days before the exam begins.Admit Card for NATA 2026 will be released at NATA’s official website.
- Candidates can download the Admit Card using their Application number and Password.
- Candidates must check for any discrepancy in admit card to avoid any problems during the exam.
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NATA 2026 Exam Pattern
The NATA 2026 exam is likely to have 2 parts. Part A will be of 80 marks, which will include Composition & Colour, Sketching & Composition, and 3D Composition, whereas Part B will be of 120 marks, which will include Logical Reasoning, G.K., Architecture and Design, Language based MCQ & NCQ questions.
Source: nata.in
For Detailed Understanding, Check: NATA 2026 Exam Pattern
Ques. Is NATA 2026 conducted online, offline, or in hybrid mode?
Ans. NATA exam is usually conducted Offline for Drawing and Composition and Online for MCQ & NCQ test. So there is no fixed pattern (online/offline) for the exam, one part of the exam is conducted online and the other part offline.
Ques. In what medium (language) is the NATA 2026 exam conducted?
Ans. NATA exam is conducted in English and Hindi Languages.Candidates can switch between these languages for better understanding of questions.
Ques. Does NATA have negative marking in 2026?
Ans. No, NATA does not have any negative marking.Student are encouraged to answer every question as there are no penalties for wrong answers on the exam.
- Recommended strategy: Attempt all questions
- Marks scored = Sum of correctly answered questions only
NATA Previous Years' Question Paper PDF with Answer Keys
NATA Previous Year Papers are very useful to predict upcoming exam’s difficulty, important topics and exam pattern. Here's a list of NATA previous year papers along with answer keys.
| Exam | Question Paper and Answer Key PDF |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 9 April 2024 | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 21 April 2023 (Shift 1) | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 21 April 2023 (Shift 2) | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 3 June 2023 (Shift 1) | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 3 June 2023 (Shift 2) | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 10 April 2021 | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 11 July 2021 | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 14 April 2019 | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 7 July 2019 | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 7 July 2019 (Drawing) | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 29 April 2018 | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 16 April 2017 | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
| 16 April 2017 (Drawing) | Download Question Paper & Answer Key |
NATA Syllabus 2026
According to the analysis of the NATA 2025 syllabus, around 40% of the questions pertaining to aptitude came from Mathematics (algebra, trigonometry, and geometry), and the remainder of the topics appear to be geared more towards design sensitivity, logical reasoning and architectural awareness.
| Section | Topics / Subjects Covered |
|---|---|
| Drawing & Composition |
|
| Aptitude, Maths & Reasoning |
|
Check: NATA 2026 Mock Test
Ques. Has the NATA 2026 syllabus changed?
Ans. No, as of Feb 2026 there is no official notice from Council of Architecture (CoA) regarding any change of syllabus for NATA 2026. The syllabus for NATA 2026 is expected to remain unchanged which focuses highly on aptitude,drawing, sketching, 3D composition, Algebra, Probability, PnC, Geometry, Trigonometry, G.K., Design awareness,and language related questions.
Ques. Does NATA 2026 have maths?
Ans. Yes, Mathematics is a very important part of the syllabus for the NATA 2026 examination. Around 30-40% of the exam consists of Mathematical and analytical aptitude questions. The Mathematical concepts correspond mostly to the 10+2 syllabus.
NATA vs JEE Main Paper 2 2026
NATA and JEE Main Paper 2 are both renowned exams for admission to Top B.Arch colleges across India. NATA is conducted by Council of Architecture (CoA) and is accepted by 400+ Private and State government institutions whereas JEE Main Paper 2 is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) and is accepted by SPAs, NITs and other Government Colleges.
- There are no negative marks in NATA, but in JEE Main Paper 2, 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- There are a total of 77 questions in JEE Main Paper 2 whereas 53 questions in NATA examination.
- NATA majorly focuses on drawing,composition and design, JEE Main Paper 2 focuses more on technical,aptitude and reasoning.
NATA 2026 Exam-Day Checklist
For smooth examination, candidates need to keep all essential items with them during the exam, starting with a hard copy of admit card to pens. Here’s everything you need during your exam
- Printed admit card (which can be downloaded from the official website)
- Government-issued photo ID (Aadhar, Passport, Voter ID)
- Black pen, pencils, eraser, sharpener; drawing materials (old or new)
- Water bottle (transparent)
- Arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the designated reporting time
- Do not take your smartphone, books,calculator,bluetooth devices or notes.
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NATA Institute-wise Cut-off Analysis (2024–2026)
In previous years, the majority of the Top colleges for B.Arch have considered a score above 120 out of 200, this makes a score of 120+ a safe score for top colleges via NATA 2026 .The cutoff score remains to be 60 out of 200.
As before, we see differences by category and board (CBSE/state), and (in general) we see the trend of cut-offs for the most desired schools rising by 2-5 marks each academic year.
| Institute | Category/Board | NATA Cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| CEPT University, Ahmedabad | General/Other | 79.33 |
| General/CBSE | 82.00 | |
| General/Gujarat | 74.05 | |
| Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai | Gen. (Male) | 107 (Rank) |
| Gen. (Female) | 52 (Rank) | |
| Nirma University | General/Other | 96.25 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia - Faculty of Architecture | General | 140-180 |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Technology | General/Other | 68.95 |
| SC/ST/Gujarat | 48.46–60.15 | |
| Parul Institute of Architecture and Research | General/Other | 60.15 |
| General/CBSE | 74.15 |
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NATA 2026 FAQs
Ques. How is the final score calculated in NATA 2026 if multiple attempts are taken?
Ans. The candidate’s best score among all the attempts taken will be considered for admissions. Candidates can take up to 3 attempts in one academic year but if they take all three attempts then their previous years score will be considered invalid.
Ques. What question types are included in the aptitude test (MCQ, MSQ, numerical, etc.)?
Ans. NATA aptitude test mainly consists of Multiple Choice Questions(MCQ) and No Choice Questions (NCQ) which are majorly Numerical Types, including topics of mathematics, reasoning,aptitude,verbal and design .
Ques. What is the marking scheme for the aptitude section (e.g., marks per question, negative marking)?
Ans. NATA aptitude test usually have 50 questions of a total 120 marks, marks for each question is decided based on the difficulty. There is No Negative marking in NATA as per previous years, so candidates must attempt each question for better ranking.
Ques. Is the NATA 2026 exam pattern the same as the previous year's (e.g., 3-hour duration with 200 marks)?
Ans. The NATA 2026 exam pattern is expected to be the same as 2025, CoA is likely to release the exam pattern,dates and other details soon. As of now, candidates can expect the exam pattern to be the same as previous years which means a 3 hour exam of 200 marks.
Ques. How to prepare for the NATA Exam?
Ans. To prepare for the NATA exam ,candidates should focus majorly on design, composition, aptitude, reasoning, G.K., verbal and mathematics concepts.Candidates should also refer to previous year papers and mock tests for better understanding.
Ques. How is the qualifying score calculated in NATA 2026 (sectional minimums or overall aggregate)?
Ans. The NATA exam has sectional qualification marks for Drawing and Composition and for Aptitude test, as well as the overall cutoff. As of 2025, CoA set the NATA cutoff as 20 marks for each part separately and 60 marks overall to clear the exam.
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You can check here for the NATA Previous Year Question Paper with Solution PDF. The question paper comprises 48 questions worth 200 marks to be attempted in 3 hours. The difficulty level of the NATA Question Paper 2025 in May was classified as follows: 40% easy, 27% moderate, 6% tough, and 27% very tough. Candidates should also refer to the NATA Previous Year Question Papers for better practice and understanding of the exam pattern.
The NATA exam mainly tests your aptitude for architecture through a mix of cognitive, visual, and drawing-based tasks. Key subjects include Mathematics, Physics, and Logical Reasoning, but the exam focuses more on visual perception, drawing and sketching ability, spatial intelligence, aesthetic sensitivity, and general aptitude related to architecture. Questions also test basic geometry, 3D visualization, design thinking, and analytical reasoning rather than deep textbook theory. NATA evaluates creativity, observation, and overall architectural aptitude.
The NATA 2024 exam is scheduled to be conducted from April 6, 2024, on all weekends till July 2024. The exam will be held in two sessions, every weekend. All candidates can attempt a maximum of three sessions of NATA 2024, and the best of three scores will be considered for admission. Please check the official NATA website or your registered email for the exact date and time of your exam.
To check the status of your NATA exam registration, you can follow these steps:
If your registration is completed, it should be reflected in your application form. If you’re having trouble, it may be best to get in touch with the examination board’s support services.
You can apply for the NATA exam online. Here are the steps to do so:
Please make sure to have all the necessary documents and information ready before you start the application process.
The NATA 2024 result is expected to be released by the last week of June 2024. You will be able to check your result and download your scorecard on the official NATA website using your application number and password. Candidates who take part in more than one exam phase in NATA 2024 will see their scores displayed on the scorecard; if they appear in three tests, the average of their two best scores will be deemed valid. Otherwise, the scorecard will show the candidates' scores from each attempt.
The score you obtain in the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is widely accepted by numerous architecture colleges across India. However, it’s important to note that each college may have its own cut-off score for admission, and some colleges may also consider other factors such as academic performance in school, performance in other entrance exams, etc.
For instance, for securing admission to top B.Arch colleges, a candidate must have a minimum of 120+ marks in the NATA exam. Some top architecture colleges in India that accept NATA scores include the National Institute of Technology - Calicut, Jamia Millia Islamia University- New Delhi, Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam, and many more.
Yes, when registering for the NATA exam, candidates can specify their preference for the exam session. The Council of Architecture tries to accommodate the candidate’s preferences expressed in their application form by allocating the test date and time and testing center based on those preferences. However, please note that the final allotment of the exam date and session is subject to the number of candidates registered for each session.
The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) for the year 2024 will be conducted from April 6, 2024, onwards. The exam will take place on all Saturdays and Sundays. The Council of Architecture (CoA) has made this major change for the upcoming NATA exam. The test will be held in two sessions per day: Forenoon and Afternoon.
Make sure to prepare well for NATA exam. For more details, you can visit the official NATA website.
National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) entrance exam is run by the Council of Architecture (COA) and is intended to evaluate applicants' suitability for admission to B.Arch programmes, which are undergraduate architecture degrees offered by a number of national universities.
A candidate's ability to sketch and observe, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity, and critical thinking are all assessed by NATA. These are crucial talents for a successful career in architecture. There are two sections to the exam: Part B evaluates aesthetic sensitivity, while Part A concentrates on drawing. Participating institutions employ NATA results as one of the requirements for admittance to their B.Arch programmes.
To apply for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), follow these steps:
Visit the Official NATA Website:
New Registration:
Upload Documents:
Pay the Registration Fee:
Check Eligibility:
Multiple Attempts:
Remember to complete the application process early and keep all necessary documents ready.
There will be 200 total marks for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) in 2024. There are 125 questions for the 3-hour exam. Questions asked are for 1,2 and 3 marks. It is recommended that candidates respond to as many questions as they can because there is no negative marking.
The online application for NATA 2024 is now available. The NATA application form 2024 is available to candidates at nata.in.
Yes, admission to B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) programs can be secured using your JEE Main Paper 2 score. Depending on the institute and category, there are different cut off for B.Arch and B.Planning programs. Based on the rank scored in IIT JEE Main 2024, a closing rank will be selected for admission. Although the 2024 deadline has not yet been announced, you can get a sense of it by looking at the prior year's deadlines. A good score for JEE Main B.Arch is typically above 250 out of 400.
NATA and JEE Main Paper 2 serve as competitive exams for admission to architectural courses, but they have distinct characteristics. Given below are the differences between them:
While access to NITs, IITs, and CFTIs is made possible via JEE Main Paper.
The CoA administers the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) at a number of locations, including Panaji, Delhi, Ahmedabad/Surat, and Vadodara/Rajkot.
It is recommended that candidates who are preparing for the NATA 2024 exam at home or through online coaching programs review the following key points:
The NATA 2024 exam is tentatively scheduled to begin on April 6, 2024. Following are the crucial details:
The NATA 2024 examination is scheduled to take place from April 6, 2024 onwards. Here are the key details:
The NATA exam will be conducted on all Saturdays and Sundays from April to July 2024.
Each day will consist of two sessions:
Session 1: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Session 2: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You can register for the exam and submit applications for NATA 2024 at this time. The following are crucial information about the application deadline: