NATA Exam Eligibility 2026: Know Educational Qualification, Age Limit and Validity of Score

Quick Answer: NATA eligibility 2026 requires candidates to have completed 10+2 or equivalent with Mathematics as a compulsory subject. Candidates with a 10+3 diploma (with Maths) are also eligible. There is typically no upper age limit, but a minimum aggregate score requirement is expected.

The Council of Architecture (CoA) conducts the NATA examination every year for admission into 5-year B. Arch. or 4-year B. Plan. programs in various architecture colleges. If you are an aspirant of an architecture course, you need to qualify for the entrance exam, ensuring that you meet the NATA exam eligibility criteria. This post shall take you through the detailed NATA eligibility criteria 2026 required to apply for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture. 

Download Free Study Material for NATA 2026 by CreativeEdge

NATA 2026 Exam Eligibility Criteria - At a Glance

The Council of Architecture (CoA) is expected to release the NATA Exam Date and official brochure on their website (expected by March 2026, 1st week). This brochure clearly outlines all the eligibility related information aspirants require to know about the NATA 2026 Exam:

Eligibility Requirement	NATA 2026 Criteria
Minimum Qualification	10+2 or equivalent examination
Mandatory Subjects	Physics & Mathematics compulsory + one of the following: Chemistry / Biology / Technical Vocational Subject / Computer Science / Information Technology / Informatics Practices / Engineering Graphics / Business Studies
Minimum Aggregate Marks	45% aggregate in 10+2
Diploma Route	10+3 Diploma with Mathematics and 45% aggregate
Age Limit	No upper age limit prescribed
Number of Attempts	Maximum 3 attempts per academic year
Score Validity	Valid for 1 academic year only
Nationality	Indian, OCI, PIO, and Foreign Nationals eligible

Know more: List of NATA Colleges

What is NATA Exam Eligibility 2026?

The NATA Exam Eligibility refers to the set of rules and conditions defined by the Council of Architecture (CoA), which candidates must fulfill to apply for the exam. These criteria ensure that only eligible students can appear for the test and later pursue a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) program in recognized institutions.

What's New in NATA Exam Eligibility 2026?

• 50% in PCM is the minimum requirement and an aggregate of 10+2 is relaxed to only pass in 12th class with PCM subjects or 10+3 Diploma with mathematics. 

NATA Age Limit 2026

• There is no lower age limit for appearing in the exam according to the NATA exam eligibility age limit.
• However, you need to comply with any particular age constraint that may be specified by the respective counseling/ Admission authority. You may have to register any age limit set by the admission authority.
• Before filling the NATA Application Form 2026, you need to check the required NATA 2026 exam eligibility criteria. 

NATA Exam Eligibility Criteria and Educational Qualification 2026

• You should have passed 10+2 level or equivalent from a recognized board or 
• You must have passed the 10+3 Diploma Examination with Mathematics as a compulsory subject
• Filling Total Marks and Obtained marks for class 10th is no more mandatory. This particular information is optional in order to apply for NATA 2026 Entrance Exam.
• As marks in 10th std Grade cards is not easily obtainable, Form fields 'Total Marks' and 'Obtained Marks' are made optional.
• As per the NATA exam eligibility, candidates who have passed (Senior Secondary Examination) 10+2, Diploma (10+3), or equivalent exam with 50% marks in aggregate in any stream from Central/State Government, with Mathematics being the compulsory subject, are eligible to apply for the NATA 2026 exam..

Check: NATA Exam Pattern 2026

Qualifying Marks for NATA Exam 2026

• The minimum marks criteria for BArch admissions 2026 is relaxed as announced by Union Education Minister and also by CoA
• In the previous years, the minimum marks required is tabulated below:

Exam	Minimum marks	Sub(Compulsory)	Status
10+2	50%	Mathematics	Passes/appearing
10+3	50%	Mathematics	Passes/appearing
International Baccalaureate Diploma	50%	Mathematics	Passes/appearing

NATA Exam Eligibility 2026 for Students of International/ NRI Status

As per the official NATA brochure, NATA eligibility criteria apply uniformly to Indian, NRI, OCI, PIO and Foreign nationals. However, admission is subject to institute-level norms and competent authorities.

Can NRI / Foreign Candidates Appear for NATA?

Yes. Candidates belonging to the following nationality categories can apply for NATA 2026:

• Indian
• OCI
• PIO
• Foreign National

Nationality must be declared correctly while filling the online application form.

Academic Eligibility for NRI Candidates (For B.Arch Admission)

To satisfy NATA eligibility 2026, NRI / International candidates must meet the academic criteria prescribed under the Council of Architecture regulations:

• Passed 10+2 or equivalent examination
• Physics and Mathematics compulsory
• One of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Technical Vocational subject, Computer Science, Information Technology, Informatics Practices, Engineering Graphics, or Business Studies
• Minimum 45% aggregate marks

Or

• Passed 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics
• Minimum 45% aggregate marks

Is Qualifying NATA Enough for NRI Admission?

Qualifying NATA alone does not guarantee admission. Candidates must also fulfill all eligibility criteria and admission requirements prescribed by the concerned admission authority or institution.

Admission under NRI or International category is governed by:

• State counselling authorities
• Centralized admission bodies
• Individual institutions (for NRI quota seats)

Application Fee for NRI / Foreign Candidates

For candidates applying from outside India, the application fee is ₹15,000 per test.

Maximum attempts allowed in one academic year: 3 attempts.

Important Points for NRI Candidates

• NATA score validity is one academic year.
• Reservation policies are determined by admission authorities, not by NATA.
• NATA is an aptitude test; final admission depends on institutional norms and counselling procedures.

Know more: How to download NATA Admit Card

Other Important Details of NATA Exam Eligibility 2026

• Candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC-NCL Category, or PWD(Person with Disability) shall be provided with 5% in total Aggregate in 10+2 Level/10+3 Diploma as well as PCM.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma passed/appearing after 10 years of schooling with 50% marks in aggregate and Mathematics as a compulsory subject of the examination is also eligible for NATA.
• For candidates belonging to SC/ ST/ OBC or any other special category, there will be no change in NNATA Exam Eligibility,
• Applicants can ask for reservation schemes while applying for admission under various admission authorities.

Prepare with: Best NATA Preparation Books

How to Start NATA Preparation 2026

NATA 2026 Eligibility for Diploma Holders

Students often ask whether diploma holders can apply for the architecture entrance exam. As per the official eligibility norms followed in recent NATA brochures, candidates who have completed a 10+3 Diploma (recognized by the Central or State Government) with Mathematics as a compulsory subject are eligible to appear for NATA 2026, provided they meet the minimum aggregate marks requirement.

Diploma Eligibility Criteria for NATA 2026:

Requirement	Eligibility Rule
Minimum Qualification	10+3 Diploma (recognized)
Mandatory Subject	Mathematics
Minimum Aggregate Marks	50% aggregate in diploma
Age Limit	No upper age limit (as per current norms)
Number of Attempts	Maximum 3 attempts per academic year
Score Validity	Valid for 1 academic year

Read More: NATA Preparation Tips 2026

What is the validity of the NATA Score?

The validity of NATA 2026 scores is one academic year. This means that a candidate’s NATA 2026 score can be used for admission to B.Arch programs only for the academic session immediately following the examination year. The score cannot be carried forward to the next academic cycle.

Key Points on NATA 2026 Score Validity

• NATA 2026 score is valid for 1 academic year only.
• Scores cannot be transferred or used for admission in subsequent years.
• Candidates appearing multiple times in NATA 2026 (up to 3 attempts) will have their best score considered as per official norms.
• Admission authorities and architecture colleges accept NATA scores only for the current admission cycle.

Important Clarification

Qualifying NATA 2026 does not guarantee admission. Candidates must also satisfy NATA eligibility criteria and institutional admission requirements. Even if the score is valid, admission depends on cutoffs, counselling processes, and seat availability in architecture colleges.

Understanding the validity of NATA 2026 scores is important for planning applications, counselling participation, and timely admission decisions.

Read more: NATA GK Questions

NATA Eligibility 2026 vs JEE B.Arch Eligibility – Key Differences (Comparison Table)

Many students ask: “Is NATA eligibility same as JEE B.Arch eligibility?”
While both exams are for B.Arch admissions, the eligibility rules differ slightly.

Requirement	NATA Eligibility 2026	JEE B.Arch Eligibility
Minimum Qualification	10+2 or equivalent	10+2 or equivalent
Mandatory Subjects	Mathematics compulsory	Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics compulsory
Minimum Aggregate Marks	50% aggregate + 50% in Maths	50% aggregate + 50% in PCM
Diploma Route	10+3 Diploma (with Maths) eligible	10+3 Diploma (with Maths) eligible
Age Limit	No upper age limit (as per brochure pattern)	No specific upper age limit (subject to NTA norms)
Exam Conducting Body	Council of Architecture (CoA)	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Score Validity	1 Academic Year	1 Academic Year

Key Takeaway

• NATA eligibility 2026 requires Mathematics as the only compulsory subject, while
• JEE B.Arch eligibility requires Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) in 10+2.

This distinction is important for students who did not have Physics or Chemistry but want to pursue architecture through NATA.

Also Check: NATA Exam Day Instructions

Use FREE NATA Study Material by CreativEdge for 2026 Prep Strategically

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Conclusion 

Meeting the NATA exam eligibility criteria is the first step toward pursuing a career in architecture. It ensures that candidates possess the necessary academic qualifications and preparedness for the program. Adhering to these requirements is crucial for a successful application.

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