AMU M.Plan Urban And Regional Planning: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. Both B.Arch. and B.Plan. graduates are eligible to apply for M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) at AMU. The qualifying examination for this programme includes B.Arch. or B.Plan. (or equivalent) with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks. This makes the programme accessible to graduates from both architecture and planning backgrounds. B.Plan. graduates who wish to specialise further in urban and regional planning find this programme particularly relevant, while B.Arch. graduates looking to transition from design to planning also benefit from the curriculum's focus on urban systems, policy, and governance.

Ans. The M.Plan. degree from AMU opens up significant opportunities in the government sector. Graduates can apply for positions in Urban Development Authorities (UDAs) such as DUDA, HUDA, and state-level development authorities, as well as in the Smart City Mission, AMRUT, RERA, HUDCO, and National Housing Bank. Town and Country Planning departments of various state governments regularly recruit M.Plan. graduates as Town Planners and Assistant Town Planners. The Council of Architecture (CoA) recognises M.Plan. graduates for registration, and some state PSC exams also have dedicated posts for urban planners. AMU's strong alumni network in government and semi-government bodies further aids placement in these roles.

Ans. GATE score is not mandatory for M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) admission at AMU. Admission is primarily through AMU's own Combined Departmental Test for M.Plan./M.Arch. However, GATE-qualified candidates in the Architecture and Planning (AR) paper are eligible and may receive preference in merit. The key benefit of having a GATE score is the GATE fellowship of Rs. 12,400 per month (subject to AICTE/UGC funding), which significantly offsets the already low tuition fee. Candidates planning to apply for M.Plan. at AMU are advised to appear in GATE AR (Architecture and Planning) for the dual benefit of merit preference and fellowship eligibility.

Ans. This is a common query among planning aspirants. SPA Delhi and CEPT Ahmedabad are considered the top institutions for M.Plan. in India, with stronger industry connections, more diverse specialisations, and better placement records. AMU's M.Plan. programme, while academically sound and extremely affordable, has a smaller intake (10 seats) and is relatively less known in the planning industry compared to SPAs and CEPT. However, AMU's programme is ideal for candidates who want a quality postgraduate planning education at a very low cost, prefer a residential campus environment, or have strong ties to the AMU alumni network. For candidates targeting government planning roles, AMU's M.Plan. is a very practical and cost-effective choice.

Ans. The M.Plan. curriculum at AMU covers a comprehensive range of urban and regional planning subjects across 4 semesters. Key areas include Urban Planning Theory and History, Land Use Planning, Transportation Planning, Housing and Slum Upgradation, Environmental Planning, Regional Planning and Development, Urban Economics and Finance, Planning Legislation and Administration, GIS and Remote Sensing Applications in Planning, Infrastructure Planning (water, sanitation, solid waste), and Urban Design. The programme also includes studio projects, fieldwork, and a dissertation in the final semester. The curriculum is designed to produce planners who can work across both technical and policy dimensions of urban development.

Ans. With just 10 seats, the M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) programme at AMU is highly competitive. The admission process involves a Combined Written Departmental Test (shared with M.Arch.) conducted at Aligarh. The test covers topics from the B.Arch./B.Plan. curriculum including planning theory, urban design, building construction, environmental studies, and general aptitude. There is no separate interview or group discussion component for M.Plan. admission at AMU - selection is purely merit-based on the departmental test score (and GATE score, if applicable). Candidates must secure at least 20% marks in the test to be eligible for admission. The select list is published on the AMU Controller's website, and shortlisted candidates are called for counselling.