NATA Exam Centres 2026: State-wise List, Selection Process & Guidelines

Overview: NATA exam centres are allotted by the Council of Architecture based on the city preferences selected during registration. The final centre details are mentioned on the admit card and cannot usually be changed after allotment.

If you're planning to take the NATA 2026 exam, one of the crucial aspects you need to be aware of is the NATA exam centres 2026. Choosing the right exam centre can impact your test-day experience, making it essential to know the available options, the selection process, and key guidelines.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about NATA exam centres, including their locations, selection criteria, and important instructions to follow before the exam.

Download Free Study Material for NATA 2026 by CreativeEdge

What is NATA Exam 2026?

Before we dive into the NATA exam centres, let's briefly understand what NATA is. NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Council of Architecture (COA) for admission into undergraduate architecture programs in India. The test assesses a candidate’s drawing, observation, and critical thinking skills related to architecture.

Feature	Details
Exam Name	National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA)
Total Marks	200 Marks
Total Duration	180 Minutes (3 Hours)
Exam Mode	Hybrid – Offline Drawing + Computer-Based Test
Sections	Drawing and Composition Test, Aptitude Test (MCQ+NCQ)
Conducting Body	Council of Architecture (COA)
Negative Marking	No negative marking expected

Check: NATA Government Colleges

List of NATA Exam Centres 2026 (Probable Cities)

As per the official NATA 2026 brochure, the Council of Architecture (CoA) has provided a list of probable test cities where the NATA exam centres 2026 may be allocated. These cities serve as tentative exam locations, and candidates can select their preferred cities during the application process.

The final NATA exam centre is allotted based on availability, preferences, and administrative feasibility. Below is a comprehensive state-wise list of NATA test centres:

S. No.	State / Union Territory / International	City / Region	S. No.	State / Union Territory / International	City / Region	S. No.	State / Union Territory / International	City / Region
1	ANDHRA PRADESH	Guntur and Vijayawada Kadapa Visakhapatnam	11	KARNATAKA	Belgaum Bengaluru Bijapur Dharwad Kalburgi / Gulbarga Hubballi Mangalore Manipal Mysuru	21	UTTARAKHAND	Dehradun
2	ASSAM	Guwahati	12	KERALA	Thrissur Idukki Ernakulam / Kochi Kottayam Kozhikode / Calicut Malappuram Palakkad Thiruvananthapuram Kazhakuttam	22	UTTAR PRADESH	Kanpur Ghaziabad Greater Noida Jhansi Lucknow Muzaffarnagar Noida
3	BIHAR	Gaya	13	MADHYA PRADESH	Bhopal Gwalior Indore	23	WEST BENGAL	Durgapur and Howrah
4	CHHATTISGARH	Raipur	14	MAHARASHTRA	Ahmednagar Akola Amravati Aurangabad Baramati Kolhapur Latur Mumbai Nagpur Nashik Navi Mumbai Pune Raigad Ramtek Sangli Satara Solapur	24	UNION TERRITORIES IN INDIA	Puducherry and Port Blair
5	DELHI	New Delhi	15	MIZORAM	Aizawl	25	INTERNATIONAL CENTRES	Dubai
6	GOA	Panaji	16	ODISHA	Bhubaneswar and Cuttack
7	GUJARAT	Ahmedabad Anand Rajkot Surat Vadodara	17	PUNJAB	Ludhiana Mandi Gobindgarh Mohali Phagwara	·
8	HARYANA	Faridabad Gurgaon Jhajjar Sonipat	18	RAJASTHAN	Jaipur and Tonk
9	JAMMU & KASHMIR	Kakrial / Katra	19	TAMIL NADU	Chennai Chengalput District Coimbatore Dindigul Erode Hosur Kancheepuram Kanya Kumari Marthandam Namakkal Nagapattinam Thanjavur Tiruvallur Trichy Ooty / Nilgiris Vellore Viluppuram Virudhunagar	·
10	JHARKHAND	Ranchi	20	TELANGANA	Hyderabad and Secunderabad

International Exam Centres

For candidates residing outside India, Dubai (UAE) is the only international NATA exam centre available.

Important Note on NATA Exam Centres

• These are probable and tentative cities, not confirmed individual test centres
• Candidates must choose their preferred cities while filling the NATA application form
• The final allotted exam centre may differ depending on seat availability
• Exact centre details (address, date, time) are mentioned only in the NATA admit card

Check: Is the NATA exam compulsory for architecture?

Download PYPs with Solutions for NATA 2026 by CreativeEdge

How to Select Your NATA Exam Centre 2026?

Step-by-Step Selection Process:

1. During Registration: While filling out the NATA application form, you will have the option to select your preferred NATA 2026 exam centre.

2. Choosing Preferences: Candidates are allowed to select multiple choices based on availability.

3. Centre Allotment: The exam authority assigns NATA exam centres based on the candidate’s preferences and seat availability.

4. Confirmation: Once the centre is assigned, candidates must download their NATA admit card, which contains the final details.

Note: Candidates appearing for the exam in Dubai must select it as their first preference and cannot opt for any Indian centre as a backup.

Refer: Download NATA 2026 Answer Key

How NATA Exam Centre is Allotted (Step-by-Step Process)

Understanding how nata exam centres are allotted helps avoid confusion during the application process. Here is the exact flow:

Step-by-Step NATA Exam Centre Allotment Process:

Step	Process	What Happens
1	Fill NATA Application Form	Select your preferred exam cities/regions while registering
2	Choose Exam Date & Session	Pick your test date and slot (based on availability)
3	Preference Submission	Your selected cities are recorded as preferences, not final centres
4	Allotment by CoA	Council of Architecture assigns the NATA exam centre based on availability
5	Admit Card Release	Final exam centre details (venue, address, timing) are published on admit card
6	Appear for Exam	Candidates must report to the allotted centre only

Important Points:

• You can choose city preferences, not the exact exam centre.
• Final allotment depends on:
  • Seat availability
  • Number of applicants
  • Logistics
• Once allotted, the nata exam centre cannot usually be changed.

Important Guidelines for NATA Exam Day 2026

Once you have been allotted a NATA test centre, it's essential to follow the NATA exam guidelines to avoid any last-minute issues. Here are some key instructions:

Before the Exam

• Check your admit card for the NATA 2026 exam centre details, date, and timing.
• Visit the NATA exam centres a day before to familiarize yourself with the location.
• Ensure you reach the exam centre at least 60 minutes before the scheduled time.

Documents to Carry

• NATA Admit Card (Printed copy)
• Valid ID Proof (Aadhar Card, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)
• Stationery Items (Pencils, Eraser, and other permitted tools for the drawing section)
• COVID-19 Essentials (If applicable, mask and sanitizer as per guidelines)

NATA Exam Centres Rules 2026

• Electronic gadgets (mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches) are not allowed.
• Any form of malpractice or unfair means will lead to disqualification.
• Follow the invigilator's instructions carefully.
• Maintain discipline and silence inside the exam hall.

Check: How to achieve Good Scores in NATA?

Tips to Choose the Right NATA Exam Centres 2026

Selecting the right NATA 2026 exam centre can help reduce stress on the exam day. Here’s how you can make an informed decision:

1. Choose the Nearest Location: Pick a NATA centre that is easily accessible from your home to avoid travel fatigue.
2. Check Infrastructure & Facilities: Ensure the NATA test centre has good seating arrangements and technical support.
3. Consider Travel Time & Traffic: Avoid NATA centres that may have heavy traffic congestion on exam day.
4. Verify Your Centre Beforehand: If possible, visit the NATA test centre a day before to know the exact location.

Check: NATA Study Plan 2026

Check Best Architecture Colleges in India Through NATA 2026

Conclusion

Your NATA 2026 exam centre plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth test-taking experience. By carefully selecting a NATA exam centres, adhering to guidelines, and preparing well in advance, you can avoid last-minute stress and focus entirely on your performance.

We hope this guide provides all the information you need about NATA test centres. If you have any further queries, feel free to visit the official NATA website for the latest updates.

Preparing for NATA 2026? We can help you with exact strategic roadmap, study material and crucial feedback required to ace this exam.

Join CreativEdge NATA Crash Course and get expert guidance on all NATA 2026 subjects. 

You can enroll in offline NID batches at your nearest centres also!