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NATA Exam Dates 2026, Fees & Schedule,Eligibility Criteria,Admisssions & Seats [Check Complete Details]
June 25, 2025
Summary: Do you enjoy creating innovative ideas and aspire to pursue a career in Architecture? Make your aspirations come true by passing the NATA exam with excellent scores. Let's learn more about the NATA Exam 2026.
NATA, or the National Aptitude Test in Architecture, is your ticket to the top architecture colleges in the country and is scheduled four times this year!
The Council of Architecture will conduct the exam in two sessions per day. The NATA portal is active to facilitate student registration. The NATA 2026 notification will release all NATA 2026 exam information related to all important dates and events.
Latest NATA 2026 Updates:
- The NATA 2026 (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) has introduced a significant update in its exam format, including a 3D modelling component in Part A (Drawing).
- This new section assesses practical skills and aligns architectural education with industry demands.
In this blog, we will provide a complete overview of the NATA exam, including NATA full form, NATA exam dates, registration fees, cut-off details, and admit card information.
Whether you're planning to appear in NATA 2026 or just starting your research, this guide will cover all key aspects to help you prepare.
Table of Content
What is NATA Exam 2026?
NATA Exam for what? The National Aptitude Test in Architecture, or NATA, is a national-level entrance exam for admission into undergraduate courses in architecture.
It is designed to assess a candidate's aptitude and skills for architecture, measuring understanding in areas such as drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking ability.
Admissions authorities at different architecture schools use the NATA scores to determine admission into their Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree programs.
NATA 2026 Exam Highlights
| Particulars | NATA 2026 Exam Details |
| Full Exam Name | National Aptitude Test in Architecture |
| Short Exam Name | NATA |
| Conducting Body | Council of Architecture |
| Frequency of Conduct | Four times a year |
| Exam Level | National Level Exam |
| Languages | English |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Application Fee (General) | 2000 Rs [Online] |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
NATA 2026 Official Notification [Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 Dates]
- The NATA examination information brochure will have all the required details about the NATA Entrance exam procedure and NATA 2026 exam dates.
- The Council of Architecture will release the official NATA 2026 exam notification on their website.
Check: NATA Exam Centres List
NATA Exam Dates 2026 Schedule [Official]
Now, the question is, when will the NATA examination be conducted, or when will it be held? All the aspirants appearing for Board Exams with PCM as their main subject must be looking out for opportunities beyond engineering, which is why architecture has become a major!
Given are the NATA exam date 2026 and the NATA entrance exam's last date as per the recent advertisement
NATA 2026 Phase 1 Exam Schedule
| S.No | Events | Important Dates (Tentative) |
| 1 | NATA registration date 2026 | Febrauary 2026 |
| 1 | NATA registration Last date 2026 | Every Monday (For Friday Test) Every Tuesday (For Saturday Test) |
| 2 | NATA application form 2026 last date | Every Tuesday (For Friday Test) Every Wednesday (For Saturday Test) |
| 3 | Last date to upload images and pay fees | March 1st to June 2026 |
| 4 | NATA Correction window 2026 | Fourth week of March 2026 |
| 5 | Release of admit card | Every Wednesday for exams scheduled on Friday and every Thursday for exams scheduled on Saturday. |
| 6 | NATA exam date 2026 (first attempt) | March 7 2026 |
| 7 | NATA 2026 Answer Key | April 2026 |
| 8 | NATA revised Answer Key | April 2026 |
| 9 | NATA 2026 result date | Within 7 days of the exam date |
NATA 2026 Phase 2 Exam Schedule
| S.No | Events | Important Dates (Tentative) |
| 1 | NATA 2026 registration | February and extends until June. |
| 2 | Last date to submit the NATA application form 2026 | June 2026 |
| 3 | Final date to upload images and fee payment | June 8 2026 |
| 4 | Availability of NATA application form correction window | To be Announced |
| 5 | NATA Admit card | May 2026 |
| 6 | NATA exam date 2026 | March 7 to June 28, 2026 |
| 7 | Publication of NATA results | July 2026 |
NATA 2026 Phase 3 Exam Schedule
| S.No | Events | Important Dates (Tentative) |
| 1 | NATA 2026 registration | May 2026 |
| 2 | Last date to submit NATA 2026 application form | June 2026 |
| 3 | Final date to upload images and fee payment | June 2026 |
| 4 | Availability of NATA application form correction window | June 2026 |
| 5 | NATA Admit card | July 2026 |
| 6 | NATA exam date 2026 (Third attempt) | March 7 and June 28, 2026 |
| 7 | Publication of NATA 2026 result | July 2026 |
NATA 2026 Phase 4 Exam Schedule
| S.No | Events | Important Dates (Tentative) |
| 1 | NATA 2026 registration | August 2026 |
| 2 | Last date to submit NATA 2026 application form | September 2026 |
| 3 | Final date to upload images and fee payment | September 2026 |
| 4 | Availability of NATA application form correction window | September 2026 |
| 5 | NATA Admit card | September 2026 |
| 6 | NATA exam date 2026 (Fourth attempt) | September 2026 |
| 7 | Publication of NATA 2026 result | September 2026 |
Check: NATA Scorecard and Marks List
NATA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
You must be aware that the candidature is subject to cancellation if you do not satisfy the eligibility for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture.
Before proceeding with the application form, you must meet the eligibility criteria for NATA.
- You must have completed 10+2 with 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (or)
- 10+3 Diploma graduates/appearing with Mathematics as a compulsory exam subject (or)
- You will be given a 5% relaxation in total aggregate in 10+2 Level/10+3 Diploma and PCM if you belong to SC, ST, OBC- SCL STtegory, or PWD (Person with Disability).
NATA 2026 Application Form
The first step to filling out the NATA Application Form 2026 is registering on the official website. To complete this action, visit the official website and click on the "New Registration" button at the bottom right corner of the page.
Enter all required details, such as name, email ID, phone number, and date of birth, and click the submit button. After completing the verification, you will receive a link to the registered mail ID.
Then, you must choose a password that suits your interests. You must select a security question and answer it. Then, you must enter the captcha on the screen and click the "Login" button.
- Fill out the form with personal, academic, and communication details and your preference for three exam centres.
- In the next step, upload your photo and signature as per the specifications given in the official notification.
- The last step is paying the application fee online using your debit card/credit card or net banking.
NATA 2026 Application Fees
The NATA exam fee varies depending on the number of attempts and the candidate’s category. Here is a breakdown of the latest NATA exam fee structure:
The below table provides information about the NATA application fee for the previous year:
| Category | Fee for any Single Test | Fee for Two Tests | Fee for Three Tests | |||
| In India (₹) | Outside India (₹) | In India (₹) | Outside India (₹) | In India (₹) | Outside India (₹) | |
| General/OBC(NCL) Male | 1750 | 10000 | 3250 | 18000 | 4500 | 25000 |
| General/OBC(NCL) Female | 1250 | 10000 | 2250 | 18000 | 3000 | 25000 |
| SC/ST/EWS/PwD Male | 1250 | 10000 | 2250 | 18000 | 3000 | 25000 |
| SC/ST/EWS/PwD Female | 1000 | 10000 | 1750 | 18000 | 2500 | 25000 |
| Transgender | 1000 | 10000 | 1500 | 18000 | 2000 | 25000 |
NATA 2026 Admit Card/Hall Ticket
Candidates must input their application number and password to download their specific admission cards from the official website of NATA 2026.
After downloading, the candidates must verify that their photo and signature are printed on the admit card.
Candidates must bring their NATA admit card and a valid photo ID to the exam centres.
Steps to Download the NATA Exam Admit Card 2026
You can download the NATA 2026 admit card only from the official website. To do so, follow the steps given below.
- Visit the official website of NATA.
- On the home page, find the direct link to download the admit card and click on it.
- You will be redirected to a new page.
- Enter your registration number and password to log in and view your admit card.
- Check the NATA examination details on the Admit card and download the same.
NATA 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
According to the latest NATA exam pattern, the exam will have two sections. Part A of the NATA question paper will now include questions on 3D modelling. This new section enhances practical skills, aligning architectural education with industry demands.
NATA Marking Scheme 2026
The NATA exam is conducted for a total of 200 marks, and the time duration of the exam is 3 hours. Check out the section-wise marking scheme for NATA 2026
| Part | Description | Duration | Marks | |
| Part A Drawing & Composition Test (Offline) 80 Marks |
A1 - Composition and Colour | 1 Question | 90 Minutes | 25 Marks |
| A2 - Sketching & Composition (Black & White) | 1 Question | 25 Marks | ||
| A3 - 3D Composition | 1 Question | 30 Marks | ||
| Part B MCQ (Online) 120 Marks |
B1 | 30 Questions (2 Marks each) | 90 Minutes | 60 Marks |
| B2 | 15 Questions (4 Marks each) | 60 Marks | ||
Check: NATA Sample Papers PDF
NATA 2026 Syllabus [Official]
CoA will publish the NATA syllabus for 2026 on the official website. The syllabus will allow candidates to view the courses, themes, and units that must be studied to pass the exam.
By being aware of the syllabus in advance, candidates can comprehend the crucial concepts and prepare for the impending test.
The syllabus has not changed over the years. As per the NATA examination for architecture, the subject and syllabus are announced and set by the conducting body.
The NATA exam syllabus consists of two parts:
- Drawing Test
- General Aptitude
NATA Syllabus 2026 for Drawing Test
| Assessment | Description |
| Composition and Color | Creating suitable compositions for various situations and colouring them appropriately. |
| Re-arranging various shapes in a visually appealing manner and colouring them suitably. | |
| Sketching & Composition (Black and White) | Ability to draw, visualise, and depict a situation involving buildings / its components, people, environment, and products with an understanding of scale, proportions, textures, shades, shadows, etc. |
| 3D composition | Creating interesting 3D compositions for the given situation using the provided kit. |
NATA Syllabus 2026 for General Aptitude
The architecture entrance exam NATA syllabus covers topics such as objects or textures related to architecture and the built environment, interpretation of pictorial compositions, and Visualisation of three-dimensional objects from a two-dimensional drawing. Here's the detailed NATA exam syllabus for the general aptitude section.
| Skill | Description |
| Visual Reasoning | Ability to understand and reconstruct 2D and 3D compositions, knowledge about their composition and technical concepts. |
| Logical Derivation | Ability to decode a situation, composition, context and generate meaning. Understanding the minute information hidden in a particular situation and drawing conclusions. |
| G.K | General awareness of architecture and design, current issues, recent episodes, etc. Knowledge about important buildings, historical progression, and innovation in materials and construction technology. |
| Language Interpretation | Ability to correctly & logically generate the meaning of words and sentences and understand English grammar. |
| Design Sensitivity | Ability to observe, record, and analyse people, space, products, and the environment. Critical thinking, reasoning, and ability to identify subtle communications. |
| Design Thinking | Ability to understand semantics, metaphors, problem identification and definition, and analysis of a given situation. |
| Numerical Ability | Basic Mathematics and its association with creative thinking. To unfold a space with the use of geometry. |
Check: NATA 2026 Exam Phase 1 Question Paper Analysis
NATA 2026 Preparation Tips
The following are some of the best Preparation Tips for NATA provided by experts at Creative Edge to help enhance your preparation levels.
- General Aptitude and drawing are the most critical sections of the exam, and they must be given greater importance during preparation.
- The questions in the Maths section are mainly based on the 12th-grade syllabus. For better preparation, it would be best to solve questions from the CBSE Textbooks.
- You should have strong knowledge of topics like Buildings in India and the World, speed, distance, and time, Important Architects of India and the World, Logical and Reasoning Ability questions, and General Maths questions like area, volume, Mirror Images, Building Materials, and Terminology.
- Make a small thumbnail to plan everything for the drawing section, like where to place what and how to utilise the answer sheet.
Check: How to Improve Your NATA Score?
NATA 2026 Preparation Books [Most Recommended]
There are so many books available for the NATA entrance exam 2026.
However, opting for the right NATA exam books is important to score good marks in the upcoming exam.
You can refer to the following Best books for NATA preparation, as these books cover all the topics as per the syllabus.
- A Complete Self-Study NATA Examination Guide for B. Arch Entrance Examination 2018/19/20 by PK Mishra
- NATA & B. Arch Question Bank by Ar. Shadan Usmani
- NATA & B.Arch complete self-study material: entrance examination by Ar. Shadan Usmani
Check: NATA 6 months preparation strategy
NATA 2026 Exam Centers List of Cities
The NATA examination will be conducted in 135 cities in India. The table below lists the exam centres for the NATA entrance exam 2026.
| State | City |
| Andhra Pradesh | Vijayawada |
| Visakhapatnam | |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| Assam | Guwahati |
| Bihar | Patna / Gaya |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
| Delhi | Delhi |
| Goa | Panaji |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad / Surat |
| Vadodara / Rajkot | |
| Haryana | Faridabad / Sonipat |
| Gurgaon / Rohtak | |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla / Kangra |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Jammu |
| Srinagar | |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru / Manipal / Tumkur |
| Hubali / Kalburgi | |
| Mysore / Bijapur | |
| Kerala | Ernakulum / Kochi |
| Kannur / Kollam | |
| Kottayam / Thrissur | |
| Kozhikode / Malapuram | |
| Thiruvananthapuram / Palakkad | |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal / Gwalior / Jabalpur |
| Indore / Sehore | |
| Sagar | |
| Maharashtra | Ahmednagar / Akola |
| Amravati / Ratnagiri | |
| Aurangabad / Thane | |
| Kolhapur / Kalyan | |
| Mumbai | |
| Nagpur | |
| Nashik | |
| Navi Mumbai | |
| Pune | |
| Solapur | |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Nagaland | Kohima |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar / Cuttack |
| Puducherry | Puducherry |
| Punjab | Jalandhar / Amritsar |
| Ludhiana / Mohali | |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur / Udaipur |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai / Coimbatore |
| Madurai / Thanjavur | |
| Salem / Kanya Kumari | |
| Tiruchirappalli / Vellore | |
| Telangana | Hyderabad |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra |
| Bareilly | |
| Greater Noida / Jhansi | |
| Lucknow | |
| Varanasi | |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun |
| West Bengal | Kolkata |
| Siliguri |
Check: Is NATA Necessary for Architecture?
NATA 2026 Answer Key
The NATA answer key is an official document released by the exam conducting authority that helps to check your responses before announcing results.
This way, you can estimate your scores and know if you are eligible for further stages. Generally, the answer key for NATA 2026 is released the next exam day.
How to Download NATA 2026 Answer Key?
- Visit the official website.
- Click on the "Download Answer Key" link.
- NATA answer key will be displayed on the screen
- Download the answer key
- Calculate the score in advance using the answer key
Check: NATA Study Plan 2026
NATA 2026 Result: Score Card and Merit List
The results will be announced separately for the first and second phases since they are conducted separately.
The Results for NATA 2026 will be available as follows:
- Marks obtained in each part, i.e. Part A and Part B
- Marks obtained out of 200
- Qualifying status, i.e. Pass or Fail
How to Check NATA Result 2026
- Visit the official website of NATA.
- Click on "Download scorecard for NATA 2026."
- Login with the credentials: Candidate ID and Password
- Enter the captcha provided
- Download the scorecard
Read more: How to Prepare for NATA in 15 days
NATA 2026 Cut-Off Marks
Cut-off marks are the minimum qualifying marks you need to score to get selected for the next exam round.
Generally, the Cut Off for NATA will be released after the declaration of the result. Based on the qualifying marks, the NATA Merit List will be prepared.
Check the table below for the minimum qualifying marks to clear the entrance exam. The NATA 2026 highest marks depend on the difficulty levels.
| Exam | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
| NATA | 70 out of 200 |
CoA will determine the cut-off marks based on various factors, such as the total number of applicants, the difficulty level of the NATA exam question paper, and the previous year's cut-off marks.
NATA 2026 Counselling
There is no specific or centralised counselling for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture. However, the CoA might announce a centralised procedure this year. You will be notified after the exam date is announced.
- Universities/colleges and states that offer B.Arch programs will be conducting separate Counselling for NATA 2026.
- The authorities begin the counselling right after the NATA exam results are declared.
- You must satisfy the NATA exam eligibility criteria to apply for counselling.
- 400 B.Arch institutes are undertaking the counselling process for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture.
Eligibility Criteria for NATA Counselling 2026
You must satisfy the below-mentioned eligibility rules for the NATA examination to successfully seek admission to your desired college through the National Aptitude Test in Architecture 2026:
- Secured 50% marks in 10+2 or equivalent examinations in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry as the subjects or
- 10+3 Diploma (any stream) recognised by Central/State governments with 50% aggregate marks in Mathematics or
- International Baccalaureate Diploma passed/appearing after ten years of Schooling with 50% marks in aggregate and Mathematics as the compulsory subject of examination.
Check: How to achieve Good Scores in NATA?
NATA 2026 Participating Colleges
Four hundred institutes/universities offer admissions through the National Aptitude Test in Architecture.
Given below are the top NATA Colleges that offer admission to design courses:
| Sir JJ College of Architecture | Department of Architecture, IIT Roorkee |
| Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh | Department of Architecture, NIT Tiruchirappalli |
| Department of Architecture, NIT Calicut | Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Gurgaon |
| Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, JMI | Department of Architecture, BIT, Mesra |
| R-V School of Architecture, RVCE, Bangalore | Faculty of Architecture, Manipal University |
Check: NATA Government Colleges
What is the Difference Between the NATA and the JEE Main B.Arch Exam?
The major difference is that the Council of Architecture conducts the NATA examination while the National Testing Agency conducts the JEE Main B. Arch. These are National level entrance exams conducted to offer admission into B.Arch programs.
JEE Main B. Arch Paper offers admission to prestigious institutes like IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST, and other GFTIs. The National Aptitude Test in Architecture offers admission to NATA-accepting colleges like the School of Planning and Architecture, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, etc.
Check out the table below for the difference between NATA and JEE Main B.Arch.
| Differences | JEE Main B. Arch | NATA |
| Subjects | General Aptitude, Drawing, and Mathematics | Drawing, General Aptitude and Physics, Chemistry, Maths |
| Number of Questions | Total of 83 (Aptitude consists of 50 questions, Mathematics contains 30, and drawing consists of 3 questions) | Total of 53 (Aptitude consists of 35 questions, Mathematics contains 15 questions, and drawing consists of 3 questions) |
| Medium of Examination | English, Hindi, and Gujarati belong to Gujarat, Daman & Diu, and Nagar Haveli | English |
| NATA Exam Time/ Duration | 3 Hours | 3 Hours (Part A- 90 minutes and Part B- 90 minutes) |
| Mode of Exam |
For Mathematics & Aptitude- Online; For Drawing- Offline |
For Part A- Offline; Part B- Online |
| Marking Scheme | Four marks will be awarded for each correct answer, and one mark will be deducted for every wrong answer | 1.5 marks will be awarded for each correct answer. There is no negative marking |
| Total Marks | 390 marks | 200 marks (Part A contains 80 marks, and Part B contains 120 marks) |
| Qualifying Marks | There are no qualifying marks | You must secure a minimum of 25% in MCQ and the Drawing section C |
Check: Is the NATA exam compulsory for architecture?
Conclusion
The NATA exam is a challenging but rewarding experience. It can open up opportunities for aspiring architects and provides an excellent foundation for furthering your education.
The NATA 2026 entrance exam requires a lot of preparation, but it is possible to succeed with the right resources, guidance, and dedication.
- The NATA (National Aptitude Test for Architecture) is a crucial exam for aspiring architects, granting admission to Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programs across India.
- NATA is a three-hour, single-day exam divided into three sections: a Drawing Test, multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on General Aptitude, and MCQs on Architectural Aptitude.
- The drawing test assesses your drawing skills, understanding of perspective, and ability to compose space. Practice sketching real-world objects and architectural elements.
- Brush up on your observation, logical reasoning, and mathematical abilities, which are tested in the General Aptitude section.
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