Updated By Rupsa on 08 Oct, 2025 20:31
Get NATA Sample Papers For Free
You should know that the NATA 2026 exam pattern has been revised lately. The question paper will have two parts: Part A, which consists of the Drawing and Composition Test (offline), which is worth 80 marks, and Part B, which has MCQs and NCQs (online), which is worth 120 marks. NATA total marks, combining both papers, are 200. The conducting authority will consider the best of the three scores to declare the NATA exam results. It is mandatory to qualify for the NATA exam 2026 to get a seat in the B.Arch colleges across India (unless you have a valid JEE Main Paper II score). Further, you should note that CoA will conduct no common counselling process. The colleges will conduct the counseling and admission independently based on NATA scores. Read on to check the NATA 2026 exam date, registration process, syllabus, exam pattern, eligibility, and more.
Know best colleges you can get with your NATA score
National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is an annual exam held for admission to B.Arch courses across India. The highlights of the NATA exam 2026 have been given in the table below.
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Conducting Body | Council of Architecture (CoA) |
Purpose of Test | For admission to the 5-year B Arch Course |
Maximum Marks | 200 |
Maximum Duration | 3 Hours |
Question Type | Drawing Questions & Objective Types Questions |
Mode of Exam |
|
The Council of Architecture conducts the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), a national-level entrance exam to grant admission to a 5-year B.Arch degree course offered by various renowned Institutions nationwide. The CoA has conducted the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) since 2006. Check out the latest details regarding the upcoming NATA examination from this page.
The decision to conduct NATA, a separate national-level architecture entrance test, came into effect in 2005 when the Supreme Court of India delivered its final verdict regarding the same. Through NATA, you can only apply for the vacant Architecture seats in the top Architecture colleges in India but the actual admission will be granted based on the eligibility criteria prescribed by the respective colleges and their designated authorities.
You can check the NATA important dates 2026 below.
Events | Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|
Release of NATA application form 2026 | February 3, 2026 |
Last Date to Apply for NATA 2026 | Every Monday & Tuesday (11:59 p.m.) |
Availability of NATA admit card 2026 | Every Wednesday & Thursday |
NATA 2026 exam date | March 6 onwards (Every Friday and Saturday) |
Release of NATA answer key 2026 | Within 7 days from the date of the Test |
Declaration of NATA Scorecard 2026 | To be Announced |
If you are eligible to participate in the exam, you can fill out the application form for NATA 2026 to appear in the examination. You can access the NATA 2026 registration window from the official exam website or you can also click on the direct link provided below:
| Official NATA 2026 Application Form Direct Link - TBU |
|---|
The steps to check the NATA application form 2026 have been mentioned below.
The NATA 2026 application fees vary category-wise. You can pay the application fees via online mode only. There isn't an offline mode available. The three main methods of making payments online are debit cards, credit cards, and net banking. Where if applicable, you are responsible for paying the processing fees as well as the GST.
You can check the NATA application fees 2026 below:
NATA 2026 Application Fee | For General/OBC(N-CL) | SC/ST/EWS/PwD | Transgender | Outside India (In INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Per Test | INR 1,750/- | INR 1,250/- | INR 1,000 | INR 15,000 |
NATA exam 2026 will be conducted in a single shift (morning) on Fridays and two shifts (morning and afternoon) on Saturdays. The shift timings will be 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The table below features the upcoming NATA 2026 exam timings:
| NATA 2026 Exam Dates (Tentative) | Days | Morning Session | Afternoon Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1 onwards till June 2026 | Fridays | NA | 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm |
| Saturdays | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm |
The NATA 2026 exam will be conducted in several stages, the official NATA 2026 Information Broucher provides details about the different stages of the exam. We have summarized the all the stages of the NATA 2026 exam in the following points:
Release of Online Notification
NATA 2026 Application Process
Correction/s in Application Form
Availability of NATA 2026 Admit Card
NATA Exam 2026
Declaration of Result
Counselling Process and Allotment of Seats
The eligibility criteria for NATA 2026 entail the academic qualifications along with the age limit required to sit for the NATA 2026 exam. You must go through the NATA 2026 eligibility criteria carefully before beginning the application process. The NATA 2026 information brochure mentions the following eligibility requirements:
Qualifying Examination: The CoA highlights the following requirements for Qualifying Exams: Passed/appearing in the 10+1 Examination with PCM Subjects; or passed/appearing in the 10+2 Examination with PCM subjects; or passed/appearing in the 10+3 Diploma Examination with Mathematics as subjects.
Qualifying Marks: You must have secured 45% aggregate with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry/Biology/Technical Vocational subject/Computer Science or Information/Technology or Informatics Practices or Engineering Graphics/Business Studies.
Age limit: No minimum age criteria are specified by the Council of Architecture
Note - Lateral entries are not allowed for NATA
The Council of Architecture will release the NATA 2026 admit card on its official website every Wednesday and Thursday. The admit card for Friday exam will be released on Wednesday, and on Thursday for the exam scheduled for Saturday. You will be able to access the NATA Admit Card 2026 using your NATA 2026 application number, password, and security code. The admit card of NATA 2026 comprises important information including details such as name, the date and time of the exam, NATA 2026 exam centres, and exam day instructions amongst others. You must carry the NATA 2026 admit card along with valid ID proof such as a Voter Card / PAN card / Aadhar Card / Driving Licence / Passport, as filled in by you during the NATA 2026 registration.
You can follow the steps below to download the admit card for NATA 2026 without any discrepancies:
The NATA 2026 Syllabus is divided into two parts. The first part of the NATA 2026 exam syllabus is the Drawing and Composition Test which includes 3 sections namely Composition and Color, Sketching & Composition (Black and White), and 3D Composition. The Second part will consist of MCQ questions from Visual Reasoning, Logical Derivation, G.K., Architecture and Design, Language Interpretation, Design Sensitivity, Design Thinking, and Numerical Ability.
In the NATA 2026 exam questions will be asked from topics like mathematics, physics, geometry, language and interpretation, elements and principles of design, aesthetic sensitivity, color theory, lateral thinking and logical reasoning, visual perception, and cognition, graphics, and imagery, building anatomy and architectural vocabulary, basic techniques of building construction and material knowledge, general knowledge and current affairs etc.
The NATA 2026 exam pattern is prescribed by the Council of Architecture. You should refer to the latest NATA exam pattern to prepare for the exam. The exam will be held for 3 hours. The paper will be administered in Hindi and English language. The Drawing and Composition test will be held in offline mode and the MCQ section will be held in online mode.
Go through the exam pattern of NATA mentioned below.
| Section No. | No. of Questions | Section Name | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 1 Question | Composition and Color | 25 Marks |
| A2 | 1 Question | Sketching & Composition (Black and White) | 25 Marks |
| A3 | 1 Question | 3D Composition | 30 Marks |
| Total | 3 Questions | - | 80 Marks |
| Section No. | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| B1 | 30 questions x 2 Marks | 60 Marks |
| B2 | 15 questions x 4 Marks | 60 Marks |
| Total | 45 Questions | 120 Marks |
NATA is a national-level examination, hence aspirants can expect a high level of competition. There are approximately 300+ institutes that accept NATA 2026 scores for admissions into BArch courses. To secure a good score, you need to have the best NATA 2026 preparation strategy. The following are some of the important NATA 2026 exam preparation tips -
Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Before beginning your exam preparation, you should review the latest NATA 2026 exam pattern and syllabus. CoA has introduced major changes in the NATA 2026 exam so you should comprehend it.
Make a Schedule: By creating a customized schedule, you can finish the syllabus ahead of time for the test. It is recommended that you split up your subjects to avoid boredom during study sessions. You should make sure to include adequate time for revision and mock tests while preparing your schedule.
Study the Complete Syllabus: Applicants must study the entire NATA 2026 syllabus. Follow the official NATA syllabus 2026 PDF. Understand the concepts and practice practical questions daily. For preparing the drawing section, daily practice is required.
Solve Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers: It is also recommended that you frequently attempt the NATA mock tests 2026 to analyze your progress and identify common errors. By solving the NATA previous year's question papers and mock tests, you can gain further insight into the format of the exam, assess your progress and frequent errors, and make necessary corrections.
Revise Often: You must do frequent revisions so that all the topics and concepts stay fresh in your minds.
You must select the proper study materials for your preparations. Referring to the best books for NATA 2026 exam preparation is crucial for you to secure a good rank in the NATA 2026 exam. You should choose books that cover all the topics coming under the NATA syllabus 2026.
Some of the NATA best books that you can refer to are:
Topics | Books |
|---|---|
Problems in the Calculus of one variable | I. A. Maron |
Algebra | Higher Algebra by Hall and Knight |
Overall Nata exam |
|
Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal |
Mathematical Problems | Problems in Mathematics by V Govorov, P.Dybov, N.Miroshin and S.Smirnova |
General | NATA & B.Arch Question Bank by Ar. Shadan Usmani |
Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude by R.S Aggarwal |
The official mock test of NATA 2026 is released on the CoA website before the commencement of the exam. You can access the mock tests in online mode. You can download the mock tests using their registered credentials. NATA 2026 Mock Test will be similar to the actual paper pattern and syllabus.
The sample papers of NATA play a key role in the preparation for the NATA 2026 exam. The NATA Sample Papers familiarize you with the type of questions frequently asked in the NATA exam and the overall exam pattern. You can identify your areas of strength and weakness after practicing the NATA sample papers and make changes in your preparation strategy accordingly. Additionally, they should also solve NATA Previous Year Question Papers to get a good grip on the topics that have previously appeared in the exam paper.
The NATA 2026 answer key will be released by CoA once the exam is completed. You will also be able to access the NATA response sheet along with the answer key. However, to download the response sheet of NATA, you will be required to pay a fee of INR 3,000/-. You will be able to check your answers with the NATA 2026 answer key and calculate your probable scores. You must use the official marking scheme following the official NATA 2026 test pattern to calculate your results.
The Council of Architecture will release the NATA 2026 result after the completion of the exam within 7 days. The official link to download the scorecard will be active on the official website. You will be able to access the NATA 2026 Result by logging into the exam portal using your NATA 2026 application number and password.
You will have to refer to the steps given below to check the NATA result 2026.
To pass the NATA exam 2026, you must meet the qualifying criteria set by the Council of Architecture. The best score attained across all attempts will be considered the valid score for NATA 2026. The NATA 2026 Qualifying Marks will be determined by the following rules.
Quick Link: NATA 2026 Rank Predictor
CoA does not offer a standard NATA 2026 counselling, instead, if you qualify, you must apply separately to each of your desired institutions for admission to the BArch course. NATA scores are accepted by 300 Indian universities and colleges for admission to their five-year BArch programs. You can apply for admission to several Indian institutes that offer BArch admissions if they have a valid NATA score. You must keep track of the NATA counselling dates of colleges:
You have to carry the following documents during the NATA 2026 counselling process:
For any queries, you can contact the NATA authorities by using the channels provided below in the table.
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
NATA 2026 official website | www.nata.in |
Email ID | helpdesk.nata2024@gmail.com |
Help Desk Number: | 9560707764, 9319275557 |
Phone Number | 9319275557 |
Address | Council of Architecture |
Want to know more about NATA
Yes, Mathematics chapters are a part of the NATA syllabus 2026.
To prepare for NATA 2026 study the complete syllabus, do timely revision, understand the concepts, practice for the drawing section, and learn the key formulas, attempt mock tests, previous year papers, etc.
The NATA 2026 application fees vary category-wise as prescribed by CoA. For the general/OBC category, the application form fee is INR, 1750, For SC/ST/Pwd category the fee is INR 1,250, and for Transgender students, the NATA 2026 registration fee is INR 1000. On the other hand, if you are registering for the exam from outside India, the application fee is INR 15,000.
Yes, there will be a drawing section in the NATA 2026 as per the latest NATA exam pattern 2026.
You can take 3 attempts of the NATA 2026 exam in one academic year.
Some of the best NATA books are Test and Assess Your IQ by Philip Carter & Ken Russell, Problems in Calculus of one variable by IA Maron, and Engineering Drawing by N.D. Bhatt, etc.
You can get the NATA 2025 exam syllabus PDF from the official website nata.in.
To prepare for the NATA, you need to determine the most asked sections in the exam and prepare them well followed by covering all the basic concepts from NCERT to be clear with the basic topics. You are advised to solve as many practice sets and the NATA previous year's question papers and work on your weak areas regularly. you should try to refer to the study material available online on sites. It is very helpful
To prepare well for the NATA exam, you have to know the exam syllabus. You should understand the exam pattern of NATA. You should select the right books that cover the full syllabus and are written by authorized authors. Solve mock tests and previous year’s question papers of NATA. Apart from all the preparation, you are advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly
Yes, as per the exam pattern of NATA 2026, the drawing will be there in the paper.
The duration of the NATA 2026 exam is 3 hours.
According to the eligibility criteria of NATA 2026, you must have passed the 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (PCM) subjects or have passed the 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics as a mandatory subject.
Yes. You can appear for both JEE Main Paper 2 & NATA. You can use the best score among the two exams for B.Arch admission.
All states in India accept NATA score for B.Arch admission.
BITSAT
GATE
JEE Main
JEE Advanced
SRMJEEE
VITEEE
WBJEE
Dear student,
5-Year B.Arch course fees at School of Architecture & Landscape Design Ladakh is Rs. 3.44 Lakhs.
READ MORE...A Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) is a comprehensive program that offers numerous benefits for students interested in the field of architecture and design. This course provides a strong foundation in architectural theory, design principles, and technical skills, enabling students to create innovative and sustainable structures. B.Arch graduates develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for addressing complex design challenges. Additionally, the program often includes hands-on projects, internships, and exposure to real-world architectural practices, preparing students for successful careers in architecture, urban planning, and interior design. Lovely Professional University (LPU) offers a well-structured B.Arch program that emphasizes both …
READ MORE...Yes, you can apply for NATA, Being alumni of LPU, I recommend LPU for this programme. LPU is recognized by COA. LPU is amongst the Top 5 School of Architecture, Design, and Planning disciplines in India and the top 100 schools globally by 2025 by becoming a Center of design excellence in Academics, Consultancy, and Research. LPU School of Architecture and Design is among Punjab’s best colleges and ranked among the top ten promising architecture institutes of India by Higher Education Review. In an era of smart cities, sustainable buildings, and contemporary interiors, we train our students to become lateral …
READ MORE...Yes, IITs and NITs acept NATA. Rather NATA is a mandatory for all those aspiring to be architects. At LPU the course design is cutting edge. It deals with topics like comprehending design approach and inter-relationship of function, circulation, structure, material and construction, climatology, services, form, aesthetics, and knowledge inbuilt environment. Interpret the facet of architectural design and urban realm context through schematic drawings, project reports, physical models, and 3 D visualizations. Analyze and appraise through research, various aspects of anthropometry, building technology, materials, structural analysis and design, history, art, culture, humanities, landscape, assessment methods, architectural computation, and management of …
READ MORE...As per the website you can appear twice, for more info you can check the website
READ MORE...Dear Student,
Yes, Chandigarh College of Architecture does accept the NATA score for admission. Check out the entire list of NATA Participating Institutes to explore more options. You can also visit Architecture (B.Arch/B.Planning) Drawing Questions for All Exams and Who Will be Eligible for NATA 2020 - Detailed Criteria, Age, Maximum Attempts to know more about the exam.
Check out the entire list of colleges accepting NATA scores. To take admission at any college, you can either dial 1800-572-9877 (toll-free) or fill the Common Application Form. In case of any more questions, write back in the QnA zone. …
READ MORE...Dear Student,
NATA and the JEE Mains Paper 2 are two separate exams that are conducted for admissions into different institutes offering B.Arch degree. Check out the NATA Participating Colleges and JEE Mains Participating Colleges to get an idea about the colleges that accept the score of these exams.
Go through the links mentioned below to get a broader understanding of the subject.
NATA vs JEE Main - Which is the Best Option for B.Arch Aspirants
Who Will be Eligible for NATA 2020 - Detailed Criteria, Age, Maximum Attempts
How to Get Admission in B.Arch without NATA or JEE Main …
READ MORE...Dear student,
In order to be able to take admission in the first-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), you will need to clear the NATA exam. NATA 2020 new exam dates for Phase 1& 2 have been released. The Phase 1 exam will be conducted on August 01, 2020, and the Phase 2 exam will be conducted on August 29, 2020. Other dates will be announced soon.
However, we would suggest that you take provisional admission to an architecture college of your choice as a precaution. Just in case NTA decides to postpone/ cancel this exam in the near future, …
READ MORE...Dear Student,
The state government of Andhra Pradesh will share the marks of students along with GPA with Council of Architecture (CoA). The government will provide the converted grades into marks. So, this is not a problem and will not affect admissions in any way.
You can also fill the Common Application Form on our website for admission-related assistance. You can also reach us through our IVRS Number - 1800-572-9877.
READ MORE...Typical response between 24-48 hours
Get personalized response
Free of Cost
Access to community
