The NATA 2026 Phase 2 exam has been officially confirmed for August 7–8, 2026, as announced by the Council of Architecture (CoA) on nata.in. Phase 1 of NATA 2026 concluded on June 13, 2026, after running on every Friday and Saturday since April 4. Phase 2 registration is currently open (started June 23, 2026) and is the final opportunity for students who did not sit for Phase 1 to secure a qualifying score for B.Arch admissions this cycle.
- Phase 2 Exam: August 7–8, 2026 — Friday (one afternoon session: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM) and Saturday (two sessions: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM); registration closes August 3–4, 2026.
- Phase 2 Admit Card will be available to download from August 4, 2026 (for the August 7 slot) and August 5, 2026 (for August 8 slots) — 2–3 days before the exam.
- Phase 1 (April 4 – June 13, 2026) is concluded; results were declared on a rolling basis within 7 days of each individual test date, and Phase 1 state counselling is currently underway.
- No central CoA counselling: students must apply independently to their state’s admissions authority or directly to B.Arch colleges after qualifying.
- Phase 2 result is expected by approximately August 15, 2026 — within 7 days of the last Phase 2 exam date (August 8).
For all current updates, you should regularly visit the official website nata.in, for official information regarding final dates and schedule.
Key Summary
In this Article, we have discussed about NATA 2026 Exam Dates, Phase-wise Schedule, Exam Day Timings, Previous Year Trends, and Counselling Process.
- NATA 2026 Phase 2 exam is confirmed for August 7–8, 2026; Phase 1 (April 4 – June 13, 2026) has concluded and results are declared.
- Phase 2 registration opened June 23, 2026 and closes August 3, 2026 (for the Friday slot) / August 4, 2026 (for Saturday slots); only students who did not appear in Phase 1 may register.
- Phase 2 admit card will be released 2–3 days before the exam — expected August 4 (for August 7 slot) and August 5 (for August 8 slots).
- Phase 2 result will be declared within 7 days of the exam — expected by August 15, 2026; state and institutional counselling follows thereafter.
- CoA does not conduct centralised counselling; students must register with their respective state admissions authority or apply to institutions directly after qualifying.
NATA 2026 Exam Dates: From Registration to Result
The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) 2026 is conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA), New Delhi in two phases. Phase 1 ran from April 4 to June 13, 2026, using a flexible weekly slot model — students booked one preferred date from 10+ available Fridays and Saturdays within the window. Phase 2 is confirmed for August 7–8, 2026, with a fixed two-day format. NATA 2026 is the qualifying examination for admission to B.Arch programmes at participating architecture colleges across India, with scores valid for the 2026–27 academic year.
Note: All dates on this page are sourced from the official NATA 2026 schedule published at nata.in/schedule.html. Schedules are subject to change under unavoidable circumstances — bookmark this page and verify on nata.in before taking any action.
Check NATA Exam Dates 2026
| Event | Updated Date / Timeline | Data Insight |
| Phase 2 Registration Deadline | August 3, 2026 (for Aug 7 slot) / August 4, 2026 (for Aug 8 slots) | Closes at 11:59 PM — Monday for Friday exam slots, Tuesday for Saturday exam slots; no late registration accepted |
| Phase 2 Admit Card Release | August 4, 2026 (for Aug 7 exam) / August 5, 2026 (for Aug 8 exam) | Available 2–3 days before selected slot — Tuesday for Friday exams, Wednesday for Saturday exams; download from NATA candidate portal |
| NATA 2026 Phase 2 Exam | August 7–8, 2026 | August 7 (Fri): 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (one session); August 8 (Sat): 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (two sessions) |
| Phase 2 Result Declaration | By August 15, 2026 (Expected) | CoA declares results within 7 days of each test date; last Phase 2 exam is August 8, placing the expected result by August 15 |
| State / Institutional Counselling (Phase 2 Scores) | August–September 2026 (Expected) | No central CoA counselling; state bodies and B.Arch colleges use Phase 2 scores for late-round and vacant-seat admissions |
| Online Registration Begins | March 9, 2026 (Over) | NATA 2026 registration commenced approximately 6 weeks before Phase 1 start; registration portal remains open for Phase 2 applicants |
| NATA 2026 Phase 1 Exam (Rolling Slots) | April 4 – June 13, 2026 (Over) | Conducted on every Friday and Saturday for 10+ weeks across multiple centres; students selected one preferred date from available slots |
| Phase 1 Admit Card (Rolling) | April 2026 – June 2026 (Slot-wise) (Over) | Released 2–3 days before each booked slot throughout Phase 1; not issued for the full phase at once — slot-specific download only |
| Phase 1 Result Declaration (Rolling) | April 11 – June 20, 2026 (Declared) | Each individual test’s result published within 7 days; students received their scorecard shortly after their chosen test date |
| Phase 2 Registration Opens | June 23, 2026 (Over) | Opened 10 days after Phase 1 conclusion; approximately 6 weeks before Phase 2 exam; exclusive to students who did not appear in Phase 1 |
| State / Institutional Counselling (Phase 1 Scores) | July 2026 onwards (Ongoing) | State-level counselling using Phase 1 NATA scorecards is currently underway; schedule and eligibility norms vary by state authority |
Previous Year NATA Exam Dates (2022–2025)
NATA’s exam format has changed substantially over the past five years — from fixed single-day tests in 2022 and 2023 to a rolling weekly-slot model from 2024 onwards. The table below traces each year’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 dates in descending year order.
| Year | Phase / Test | Exam Date(s) | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Phase 1 | March 7 – June 28, 2025 | Rolling weekly Friday/Saturday slots |
| 2025 | Phase 2 | July 2025 | Fixed two-day exam |
| 2024 | Phase 1 | April 6 – July 2024 | Rolling weekly weekend slots |
| 2023 | Phase 1 | April 21, 2023 | Single day, two sessions |
| 2023 | Phase 2 | May 28, 2023 | Single day, two sessions |
| 2023 | Phase 3 | July 9, 2023 | Single day, two sessions |
| 2022 | Test 1 | June 12, 2022 | Single day |
| 2022 | Test 2 | July 7, 2022 | Single day |
| 2022 | Test 3 | August 7, 2022 | Single day |
Three patterns emerge from this data: (1) Phase 1 start dates have moved progressively earlier — from June 2022 to March/April in recent cycles. (2) Phase 2 has consistently fallen in July–August; the August 7, 2026 Phase 2 date mirrors NATA’s own August 7, 2022 Test 3 exactly. (3) CoA transitioned from a three-test model with fixed single-day dates (2022–2023) to a two-phase model with a rolling weekly-slot Phase 1 from 2024, trading format rigidity for scheduling flexibility.
For the most current NATA 2026 Phase 2 schedule, visit the official page at nata.in/schedule.html.
Ques. What is the last date to register for NATA 2026 Phase 2?
Ans. Phase 2 registration closes at 11:59 PM on August 3, 2026 for students opting for the Friday August 7 exam slot, and at 11:59 PM on August 4, 2026 for students opting for Saturday August 8 slots. No late registrations are accepted after these deadlines.
Ques. How many times can a student appear in NATA 2026?
Ans. A student may appear in only one phase per NATA 2026 cycle — either Phase 1 or Phase 2, not both. The Council of Architecture has explicitly stated that students who appeared in Phase 1 (April 4 – June 13, 2026) are not eligible to register for Phase 2 (August 7–8, 2026).
What are the NATA 2026 Exam Dates?
NATA 2026 runs in two distinct phases. Phase 1 used a flexible slot-booking model spread across Fridays and Saturdays from April to June — students chose their own preferred test date from 10+ available slots. Phase 2 is a fixed two-day national event in August, exclusively for students who sat out Phase 1. Below is a chronological breakdown of each milestone in the NATA 2026 timeline.
NATA 2026 Phase 1 Exam Dates: April 4 – June 13, 2026 (Concluded)
Phase 1 ran from April 4 to June 13, 2026, on every Friday and Saturday — offering students more than 20 test opportunities across 10+ weeks. Each student registered, booked one preferred slot within this window, and appeared at an assigned test centre. Results were declared within 7 days of each individual test date: first results (for April 4 exam-takers) were out by April 11, and the last Phase 1 results (for June 13 exam-takers) were out by June 20. All Phase 1 results are now declared.
- Exam Period: April 4 – June 13, 2026 (concluded)
- Friday Sessions: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (one session per Friday)
- Saturday Sessions: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Morning) and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Afternoon) — two sessions per Saturday
- Result Status: All Phase 1 results declared by approximately June 20, 2026
Note: The NATA 2026 Phase 1 registration window is closed. Students who did not appear in Phase 1 may register for Phase 2 (August 7–8, 2026) at nata.in before August 3–4, 2026.
NATA 2026 Phase 2 Registration: June 23 – August 3/4, 2026
Phase 2 registration opened on June 23, 2026 and is currently active. Unlike Phase 1’s rolling weekly deadlines, Phase 2 has fixed closing dates tied to the two-day exam window. Students must complete form fill-up and fee payment before the relevant deadline for their chosen slot. A brief application correction window is also available after submission, closing one day after registration itself closes for each respective slot.
- Registration Opens: June 23, 2026 (currently active)
- Deadline for August 7 (Friday) Slot: August 3, 2026, 11:59 PM
- Deadline for August 8 (Saturday) Slots: August 4, 2026, 11:59 PM
- Correction Window (Aug 7 slot): Closes Tuesday, August 4 at 11:59 PM
- Correction Window (Aug 8 slots): Closes Wednesday, August 5 at 11:59 PM
- Eligibility: Exclusively for students who did NOT appear in NATA 2026 Phase 1
Ques. Can I correct my NATA 2026 Phase 2 application after submission?
Ans. Yes, CoA provides an application correction window after form submission. For the August 7 (Friday) slot, corrections close on Tuesday August 4 at 11:59 PM. For the August 8 (Saturday) slots, corrections close on Wednesday August 5 at 11:59 PM. No changes are permitted after these correction windows close.
NATA 2026 Phase 2 Admit Card: August 4–5, 2026 (Upcoming)
The Phase 2 admit card will be released through the NATA candidate login portal 2–3 days before the respective exam slot. Students must download and print the admit card before the exam day — it is mandatory at the exam centre alongside a valid government-issued photo ID. The admit card carries the student’s exam centre address, session timing, and hall ticket number.
- Admit Card for August 7 (Friday) Exam: Available from Tuesday, August 4, 2026
- Admit Card for August 8 (Saturday) Exams: Available from Wednesday, August 5, 2026
- Download Portal: nata.in (candidate login)
- Documents Required at Centre: Printed admit card + original government-issued photo ID
Note: The admit card is not dispatched by post. It must be downloaded from the NATA portal and printed before exam day. Students who fail to carry the admit card to the exam centre will not be permitted entry.
NATA 2026 Phase 2 Exam Day Schedule: August 7–8, 2026 (Upcoming)
Phase 2 spans two days across three sessions in total. August 7 (Friday) carries a single afternoon session; August 8 (Saturday) runs two sessions — morning and afternoon. Each session is exactly 3 hours long. Students are assigned to one specific session based on their slot booking at the time of registration; sessions cannot be swapped after confirmation.
| Date | Day | Session | Exam Timing | Reporting Time |
| August 7, 2026 | Friday | Afternoon Session | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM | 12:30 PM |
| August 8, 2026 | Saturday | Morning Session | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 9:00 AM |
| August 8, 2026 | Saturday | Afternoon Session | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM | 12:30 PM |
Note: Report to the exam centre at least 60 minutes before your session start time. Late entry is not permitted under any circumstances — even if you hold a valid admit card.
Ques. What is the exam timing for NATA 2026 Phase 2?
Ans. NATA 2026 Phase 2 session timings are:
- August 7 (Friday): 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (single afternoon session; report by 12:30 PM)
- August 8 (Saturday): 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (morning session; report by 9:00 AM) and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (afternoon session; report by 12:30 PM)
Each session is 3 hours long. Students are allotted one specific session based on their slot booking and cannot switch after registration.
NATA 2026 Phase 2 Result: By August 15, 2026 (Expected)
CoA publishes results within 7 days of each test date — a consistent pattern throughout NATA 2026 Phase 1. Since Phase 2 concludes on August 8, the result for August 8 exam-takers is expected by approximately August 15, 2026; results for August 7 exam-takers may follow a day earlier. Results are published on the NATA candidate portal and contain the raw score, percentile, and qualifying status. There is no centralised rank list — each state authority and B.Arch institution prepares its own merit list using individual NATA 2026 scorecards.
- Expected Result (for Aug 7 exam): By approximately August 14, 2026
- Expected Result (for Aug 8 exam): By approximately August 15, 2026
- Result Portal: nata.in (candidate login)
- Scorecard Contains: Raw score, percentile, qualifying / not-qualifying status
Ques. When will the NATA 2026 Phase 2 result be declared?
Ans. The Council of Architecture declares results within 7 days of each test date. For NATA 2026 Phase 2 — with the last exam on August 8 — the result is expected by approximately August 15, 2026. Results are published through the candidate login at nata.in.
NATA 2026 Counselling Schedule: State-wise and Institution-wise
The Council of Architecture does not conduct any centralised counselling for NATA. After qualifying, students must independently apply to B.Arch programmes at colleges of their choice or register with the relevant state admissions authority. Counselling schedules, seat availability, and document requirements vary significantly by state — students in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and other states each follow their respective state body’s process.
- Phase 1 Score-based Counselling: Currently underway (July 2026 onwards) through individual state authorities
- Phase 2 Score-based Counselling: Expected August–September 2026 after Phase 2 results; primarily for vacant and late-round seats
- Action Required: After result declaration, register with your target state’s counselling body and apply to individual institutions before their respective deadlines
Note: CoA does not conduct any central counselling for NATA. Do not wait for a centralised seat allotment process — apply to state counselling portals and individual B.Arch colleges directly after your result is declared.
Year-wise NATA Exam Dates and Trends
The table below maps NATA exam dates year-by-year from 2022 to 2026, tracking how the exam’s structure — number of phases, format, and scheduling approach — has evolved under CoA. This historical record also helps students anticipate the NATA 2027 cycle if NATA 2026 Phase 2 results do not align with their admission plans.
| Year | Phase / Test | Exam Date(s) | Notable Structural Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Phase 1 | April 4 – June 13, 2026 | Rolling Fri/Sat slots; Phase 1 start ~4 weeks later than 2025 |
| 2026 | Phase 2 | August 7–8, 2026 | Fixed two-day exam; August 7 date mirrors NATA’s own August 7, 2022 Test 3 |
| 2025 | Phase 1 | March 7 – June 28, 2025 | Earliest Phase 1 start in recent NATA history (March); longer window than 2024 |
| 2025 | Phase 2 | July 2025 | Two-day fixed Phase 2 format introduced; earlier in year than 2022–2023 late tests |
| 2024 | Phase 1 | April 6 – July 2024 | First year of rolling weekly-slot model; Phase 1 window extended into July |
| 2023 | Phase 1 | April 21, 2023 | Last year of fixed single-day format; three-phase model still in use |
| 2023 | Phase 2 | May 28, 2023 | Short ~5-week gap between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in 2023 |
| 2023 | Phase 3 | July 9, 2023 | Final year with Phase 3; dropped from 2024 onwards with move to two-phase model |
| 2022 | Test 1 | June 12, 2022 | All three 2022 tests held between June–August; significantly later than current cycle |
| 2022 | Test 2 | July 7, 2022 | — |
| 2022 | Test 3 | August 7, 2022 | Same calendar date as NATA 2026 Phase 2 Day 1 — August 7 |
Source: https://www.nata.in/schedule.html
Based on this five-year pattern, students who miss NATA 2026 Phase 2 can expect NATA 2027 to open registration in February–March 2027, commence Phase 1 in late March or April 2027 with rolling weekly slots, and schedule Phase 2 in July–August 2027. The progressive shift to earlier Phase 1 start dates aligns with the academic calendar — allowing results and counselling to be completed before the B.Arch session begins each August–September.
Ques. Are the NATA 2026 exam dates confirmed or tentative?
Ans. The NATA 2026 Phase 2 exam dates — August 7 and August 8, 2026 — are officially confirmed by the Council of Architecture and published on nata.in/schedule.html. Phase 1 dates are concluded. While CoA’s schedule note states dates are subject to change under unavoidable circumstances, no revision to Phase 2 has been announced as of July 12, 2026.
Will NATA 2026 Be Conducted in Two Phases?
Yes — NATA 2026 follows the two-phase format that CoA introduced progressively from 2024. Phase 1 ran from April 4 to June 13, 2026 (rolling weekly slot model), and Phase 2 is confirmed for August 7–8, 2026 (fixed two-day exam). The two-phase model replaced the earlier three-phase format used in 2022–2023. Key structural points students must understand:
- Format Difference: Phase 1 offered flexible slot booking across 10+ dates; Phase 2 is a fixed two-day national exam — students cannot choose a date within Phase 2
- Mutual Exclusivity: Students may appear in only one phase per NATA 2026 cycle; those who attempted Phase 1 cannot register for Phase 2
- Score Independence: Phase 1 and Phase 2 scores are not merged or compared — each phase issues its own independent scorecard valid for 2026–27 admissions
- Admission Use: Phase 1 scores feed the main admission round (state counselling from July 2026); Phase 2 scores are used for late-round and vacant-seat admissions in August–September 2026
- No Phase 3 in 2026: CoA discontinued the Phase 3 format after 2023; there is no third attempt window in the 2026 cycle
Ques. Can I appear in both NATA 2026 Phase 1 and Phase 2?
Ans. No. The Council of Architecture has explicitly stated that students who appeared in Phase 1 (April 4 – June 13, 2026) are not eligible to register for Phase 2 (August 7–8, 2026). Each student may attempt only one phase in the NATA 2026 cycle. There is no best-of-two scoring across phases.
Ques. Will there be a NATA 2026 Phase 3?
Ans. No. The Council of Architecture discontinued the Phase 3 format after NATA 2023 (which had tests in April, May, and July). NATA 2026 has only two phases: Phase 1 (April 4 – June 13, concluded) and Phase 2 (August 7–8, upcoming). There will be no third attempt window in 2026.
Countdown to NATA 2026 Phase 2 Exam Date
As of July 12, 2026, NATA 2026 Phase 2 is 26 days away. Phase 2 registration is currently open — students who have not yet registered should complete their application before August 3 (for the Friday August 7 slot) or August 4 (for Saturday August 8 slots). The countdown table below tracks each remaining deadline from today’s date.
| Milestone | Date | Days from July 12, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 2 Registration Deadline (for Aug 7 slot) | August 3, 2026 | 22 days |
| Phase 2 Registration Deadline (for Aug 8 slots) | August 4, 2026 | 23 days |
| Admit Card Available (for August 7 exam) | August 4, 2026 | 23 days |
| Admit Card Available (for August 8 exam) | August 5, 2026 | 24 days |
| NATA 2026 Phase 2 — Day 1 (Friday) | August 7, 2026 | 26 days |
| NATA 2026 Phase 2 — Day 2 (Saturday) | August 8, 2026 | 27 days |
| Phase 2 Result Expected (for Aug 7 exam) | By August 14, 2026 | ~33 days |
| Phase 2 Result Expected (for Aug 8 exam) | By August 15, 2026 | ~34 days |
Source: https://www.nata.in/schedule.html
FAQs
Ques. When is the NATA 2026 Phase 2 exam date?
Ans. NATA 2026 Phase 2 is scheduled for August 7 (Friday) and August 8 (Saturday), 2026. There is one session on August 7 (1:30 PM – 4:30 PM) and two sessions on August 8 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM). Students are assigned to one specific session based on their slot booking at registration.
Ques. When will NATA 2026 Phase 2 registration close?
Ans. Phase 2 registration closes at 11:59 PM on August 3, 2026 for the Friday August 7 exam slot, and at 11:59 PM on August 4, 2026 for Saturday August 8 exam slots. No late registrations will be accepted after these deadlines.
Ques. When will the NATA 2026 Phase 2 admit card be released?
Ans. The NATA 2026 Phase 2 admit card will be available to download from August 4, 2026 for students appearing on August 7, and from August 5, 2026 for students appearing on August 8. It must be downloaded from the NATA candidate portal at nata.in and printed before the exam day.
Ques. What is the exam day timing for NATA 2026 Phase 2?
Ans. NATA 2026 Phase 2 timings are: August 7 (Friday) — 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM (report by 12:30 PM); August 8 (Saturday) — 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (report by 9:00 AM) and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM (report by 12:30 PM). Each session is 3 hours long.
Ques. When will the NATA 2026 Phase 2 result be declared?
Ans. The Council of Architecture declares NATA results within 7 days of each test date. For Phase 2, with the last exam on August 8, 2026, the result is expected by approximately August 15, 2026. Results are published on the NATA candidate portal at nata.in.
Ques. When will NATA 2026 counselling begin?
Ans. CoA does not conduct centralised counselling for NATA. Counselling using Phase 1 scores is already underway through state authorities (July 2026 onwards). Phase 2 score-based counselling for vacant and late-round seats is expected to begin in August–September 2026 after results are declared. Students must register with their target state’s counselling body separately.
Ques. Has the NATA 2026 Phase 2 exam date been postponed?
Ans. No. As of July 12, 2026, the Council of Architecture has not announced any postponement to NATA 2026 Phase 2. The exam remains scheduled for August 7–8, 2026, as confirmed on the official schedule at nata.in/schedule.html. Students should monitor nata.in for any future updates.
Ques. How many days before the NATA 2026 Phase 2 exam is the admit card released?
Ans. NATA admit cards are released 2–3 days before the exam. For Phase 2: the admit card for August 7 (Friday) is available from August 4 (Tuesday — two days before the exam), and the admit card for August 8 (Saturday) is available from August 5 (Wednesday — three days before the exam). This is consistent with the rolling release pattern used throughout Phase 1.
Ques. Where can I check the official NATA 2026 exam dates?
Ans. The official NATA 2026 schedule is published at nata.in/schedule.html. The Council of Architecture updates this page whenever dates are revised. Students should bookmark this URL and check it regularly rather than relying on third-party sources.
Ques. What happens if I miss the NATA 2026 Phase 2 registration deadline?
Ans. If you miss the Phase 2 registration deadline (August 3–4, 2026), you will not be able to appear in NATA 2026. CoA does not accept late registrations or open additional windows after deadlines pass. Students in this situation would need to wait for NATA 2027, which is expected to open registration in February–March 2027.
Ques. What is the NATA 2026 Phase 1 result status?
Ans. NATA 2026 Phase 1 results are fully declared. Phase 1 ran from April 4 to June 13, 2026, with results released on a rolling basis within 7 days of each individual test date. The last Phase 1 results were out by approximately June 20, 2026. Students who appeared in Phase 1 can access their scorecards through the candidate login at nata.in.
Ques. Is the NATA 2026 scorecard valid for more than one year?
Ans. NATA scorecards are generally valid only for the academic year in which the test is taken. Most institutions and state bodies accept NATA 2026 scores for admissions in the 2026–27 academic year only. Students should confirm the validity period with their target institution or state counselling authority, as policies can vary.
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