Country edition: India
Student Journey Blueprint

How to become an Architect — your road, class by class

Class 8 to working life ·Last checked 25 Oct 2026

The one-line route: Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics (plus one listed subject) and 45% aggregate → NATA or JEE Main Paper 2A → 5-year B.Arch → registration with the Council of Architecture before you call yourself an Architect. [1] [2]

Pick your class and the road below starts where you stand.

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01 Your road, stage by stage

What to do from your class onward

  1. You are here Class 8 · Class 9

    Drawing, space and school maths

    • NATA's Part A is drawn on paper: composition and colour, sketching a scene with buildings and people to scale with shade and shadow, and a 3D composition built from a kit. Part B tests visual reasoning, design sensitivity, general knowledge of architecture and numerical ability. [1]
    • Sketch every day — buildings on your street, rooms from above, objects in light and shadow. Keep your board's maths strong; JEE Main Paper 2A has a 100-mark Mathematics part.
  2. You are here Class 10

    Pick Class 11 subjects that keep B.Arch open

    • B.Arch needs Physics and Mathematics compulsory in Class 12, plus any one of Chemistry, Biology, a technical vocational subject, Computer Science, IT, Informatics Practices, Engineering Graphics or Business Studies. Chemistry is not compulsory for the Council of Architecture rule. [1]
    • For B.Arch seats at NITs and SPAs through JoSAA, Class 12 must have Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics — so taking Chemistry too keeps every door open. [2]
  3. You are here Class 11 · Class 12

    45% in Class 12 and an aptitude score

    • Admission to B.Arch needs at least 45% aggregate in Class 12 (or a 10+3 diploma with Mathematics and 45%) and a valid NATA or JEE score. [1]
    • NATA: up to two attempts in Phase 1 (April–June) or one in Phase 2 (August, for vacant seats only). Phase 1 gives the percentile used in counselling; there is no minimum qualifying raw score. Your NATA score is valid only for that year's admissions. [1]
    • NIT+ seats through JoSAA also need 75% in Class 12 (65% SC, ST, PwD) or a place in your board's top 20 percentile. [2]
  4. You are here In college · Graduated

    B.Arch, then registration

    • Only a person registered with the Council of Architecture may practise under the title “Architect”. Registration needs a recognised qualification under the CoA Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations, 2020; misusing the title is a criminal offence under the Architects Act, 1972. [1]
    • Already in a 3-year diploma with Mathematics? A 10+3 diploma with 45% also qualifies you to sit NATA and to join B.Arch. [1]

Your school board

Your board's Class 12 counts like CBSE's. Make sure Physics and Mathematics are in your subjects and that your aggregate is at least 45%. [1]

CBSE, CISCE and state-board certificates count the same for every national exam on this page. Notes for particular state boards are under State rules below.

02 Exam anatomy

The exam, stage by stage

NATA 2026 · JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A (B.Arch) · Council of Architecture · NTA · state CAP / JoSAA

NATA paper
200 marks · 3 hours (drawing 80 + adaptive CBT 120) [1]
NATA fee
₹1,750 per test · ₹1,250 SC / ST / EWS / PwD [3]
JEE Paper 2A
77 questions · 400 marks · 3 hours · +4 / −1 [2]
Class 12 rule
Physics + Maths + 1 listed subject · 45% aggregate [1]
NATA 2026 · JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A (B.Arch) stages
RouteWhat it isMarkingUsed for
NATA Part A3 drawing questions on paper (80 marks)Evaluated drawingsState and institute B.Arch counselling
NATA Part B42 MCQ + 8 NCQ, computer-based adaptive (120 marks)No minimum qualifying raw scoreBest of two Phase 1 attempts gives your percentile
JEE Main Paper 2AMathematics 100 + Aptitude 200 on screen, Drawing 100 on paper+4 / −1 on screen; drawing has no negative markingB.Arch at NITs and SPAs through JoSAA, and in many state counsellings

Stage table source [1] [2]

  • NATA itself fixes no seat percentages: reservation is set by your state / UT or the admitting institute. [1]
  • JEE Main fee for one paper: ₹1,000 General male, ₹800 female, ₹500 SC / ST / PwD, per session. [2]
  • These are the 2026 rules — the NATA 2027 brochure and JEE (Main) 2027 bulletin were not out when this was written. Check nata.in and jeemain.nta.nic.in.
Open the full exam guide
03 State rules

Rules for all of India — and your state

  • B.Arch seats at NITs, SPAs and other NIT+ institutes are filled on JEE Main Paper 2A rank through JoSAA, with a Home State quota at NITs. [2] [7]

State notes we have checked (4 states / UTs)

Gujarat3 notes
  • ACPC registration for B.Arch 2026 ran from 19 May to 20 June 2026 on gujacpc.admissions.nic.in, and you could register before your board or NATA result. [4]
  • GSEB — Gujarat State Board: ACPC's B.Arch merit for 2026 was 50% your board (or diploma) aggregate percentage + 50% your NATA 2025 / 2026 or JEE (Main) 2026 Paper-2 percentile — so your HSC total matters as much as the test. [8]
  • CBSE — studying in Gujarat: Your CBSE Class XII aggregate goes into the same ACPC formula: 50% board aggregate + 50% NATA or JEE Main Paper-2 percentile. [8]
Gujarat exam & career cockpit
Maharashtra2 notes
  • Maharashtra CAP ranks B.Arch candidates on their JEE or NATA score and HSC marks together (2025-26 brochure; check the 2026-27 notice). [6]
  • MSBSHSE — Maharashtra State Board: Maharashtra CAP needs Physics and Mathematics plus one listed subject with 45% in HSC — 40% for reserved, EWS and PwD candidates of Maharashtra only — and a JEE or NATA aptitude score (2025-26 brochure). [6]
Maharashtra exam & career cockpit
Uttar Pradesh2 notes
  • Government and aided institutes fill 100% of first-year seats through UPTAC; private colleges 85%. The tuition-fee-waiver seats that UPTAC offers in B.Tech and BHMCT are not available for B.Arch. [5]
  • UPMSP — Uttar Pradesh Board: UPTAC fills B.Arch seats first on NATA (2025 or 2026 score), then on JEE (Main) 2026. Intermediate needs Physics, Mathematics and one listed subject with at least 45% across those three (or a 10+3 diploma with 45%). [5]
Uttar Pradesh exam & career cockpit
West Bengal1 note
  • WBBSE / WBCHSE — West Bengal boards: NATA is offered in English and Hindi only, and the Council of Architecture leaves seat quotas to each state's admission authority — check the B.Arch notice of the college you want. [1]
West Bengal exam & career cockpit

Not in this list? The national route above applies — we found nothing in this career's official rules that changes in your state.

04 Career multiverse

Where this path can take you next

Architect

The full career guide.

Explore →

B.Arch colleges

Find B.Arch colleges by state.

Explore →

Diploma in Architecture

A 3-year diploma with Maths also leads to B.Arch.

Explore →

JEE Main Paper 2

B.Arch and B.Planning through NTA.

Explore →

NATA coaching

Drawing and aptitude coaching near you.

Explore →
05 Money help

Scholarships, stipends and fee help

Government schemes, professional-body scholarships and paid training on this path. Pick your class above and schemes you have already passed are hidden.

Scholarship Open to you now From Class 8

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS)

Ministry of Education, through your state

₹1,000 a month, Class 9 to 12 [9]

Who
Class 8 students of government schools who passed Class 7 with 55% (50% SC/ST, as in Nagaland's notice) and clear the state's NMMSS test. Family income limit: see the scheme rules on the National Scholarship Portal.
How
Your state's SCERT announces the test in Class 8; renewals are on scholarships.gov.in.
Fee help Open to you now From Class 11

Lower NATA fee

Council of Architecture

₹1,250 per test instead of ₹1,750 (₹1,000 for transgender candidates) [3]

Who
SC, ST, EWS and PwD candidates, for a test centre in India.
How
Choose your category in the NATA form on nata.in. The fee is paid for each test attempt and is not refunded.
Scholarship Open to you now From Class 11

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (PM-USP CSSS)

Ministry of Education

₹12,000 a year for the first 3 years of a degree; ₹20,000 a year in years 4–5 of a 5-year integrated course (and in PG) [10]

Who
Above the 80th percentile of your board's Class 12 pass-outs in your stream, in a regular degree course (not diploma or distance), family income up to ₹4.5 lakh, and not taking any other scholarship — including state schemes.
How
On the National Scholarship Portal after Class 12; renewal needs 50% marks and 75% attendance each year.
Scholarship Open to you now From Class 11

Post-Matric Scholarship for SC students

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, through your state

Compulsory non-refundable fees (tuition included) plus a yearly academic allowance — the college cannot ask you to pay the fee first [11]

Who
SC students after Class 10 (ITI, diploma, degree and CA/CMA/CS courses count), family income up to ₹2.5 lakh. Separate post-matric schemes exist for ST, OBC and minority students on the same portal.
How
Your state scholarship portal or scholarships.gov.in. The printed guidelines cover 2020-21 to 2025-26; check the 2026-27 rules on the portal.
State scheme Open to you now From Class 10West Bengal only

West Bengal Student Credit Card (WBSCC)

Government of West Bengal

Loan up to ₹10 lakh at 4% simple interest a year; 1% interest concession if the interest is fully serviced during the study period [12] [13]

Who
Students from West Bengal aged 40 or under when applying — school (Class X onward), UG, PG, professional degree courses in India or abroad, and coaching for competitive exams such as Engineering, Medical, Law, IAS, IPS and WBCS. The state's scheme page asks for 10 years' residence in West Bengal and a co-borrower (usually a parent).
How
On wbscc.wb.gov.in. Repayment runs up to 15 years, including the moratorium (course duration + 1 year); no margin money up to ₹4 lakh.
State scheme Open to you now From Class 10Gujarat only

Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavalamban Yojana (MYSY)

Government of Gujarat

Who
Gujarat students joining a diploma or degree course on merit: it pays part of the tuition fee and, in some cases, a hostel grant for students who must study away from home. [14]
How
mysy.guj.nic.in. We could not open the official portal on 24 Oct 2026, so we print no amounts or cut-offs — read them in the current year's resolution on the portal.
06 Official sources & verification

Where these facts come from

Every number on this page comes from the official files below. Lines with no number are Margdarshan guidance. Rules change every year — open the current notice before you apply.

  1. Council of Architecture — NATA 2026 Information Brochure (v2.0, 10 Apr 2026) (opens in a new tab) paper pattern, Phase 1 / 2 attempts and percentile, no minimum raw score, B.Arch subject and 45% rule, diploma route, reservation left to states, registration as architect under the Architects Act · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  2. NTA — JEE (Main) 2026 Information Bulletin (opens in a new tab) Paper 1 pattern and marking, sessions, fees, Class 12 subjects, 75% / top-20-percentile rule, state code of eligibility, 13 languages, reservation, JEE Advanced cut · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  3. Council of Architecture — NATA 2026 Fee Structure (opens in a new tab) ₹1,750 / ₹1,250 / ₹1,000 per test, non-refundable · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  4. ACPC Gujarat — B.Arch Admission Registration 2026 (opens in a new tab) registration 19 May – 20 June 2026 on gujacpc.admissions.nic.in, before results · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
  5. AKTU — UPTAC Information Brochure 2026-27 (opens in a new tab) JEE Main merit for B.Tech, 100% / 85% seat shares, domicile, B.Tech and MCA eligibility, tuition fee waiver seats (none for B.Arch), B.Arch exam priority NATA then JEE (Main), B.Arch / BHMCT eligibility, BHMCT on CUET (UG) · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  6. State CET Cell Maharashtra — CAP Information Brochure for UG & PG Technical Courses 2025-26 (opens in a new tab) vertical reservation shares, EWS and women's seats, B.Arch and B.HMCT eligibility and merit basis, MAH-B.HMCT-CET, NCHM JEE preference for All-India BHMCT candidates · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  7. JoSAA — Business Rules for Joint Seat Allocation 2026-27 (1 June 2026) (opens in a new tab) Home State quota, female supernumerary seats, seat acceptance fee · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  8. ACPC Gujarat — Calculation of Merit Marks, B.Arch Admissions 2026 (opens in a new tab) 50% board / diploma aggregate + 50% NATA 2025/26 or JEE (Main) 2026 Paper-2 percentile · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
  9. SCERT Nagaland — NMMSS Examination 2027 advertisement (27 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Class 8 eligibility, 55% / 50% Class 7 marks, ₹1,000 a month from Class 9 to 12 (one state's notice of the central scheme) · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
  10. Ministry of Education — PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships guidelines (2022-23 onwards), copy hosted by NIT Kurukshetra (opens in a new tab) 80th percentile, ₹4.5 lakh income, regular degree only, no other scholarship, ₹12,000 / ₹20,000 rates, renewal rules · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
  11. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment — Post Matric Scholarship for SC students, guidelines 2020-21 to 2025-26 (copy hosted by Goa Social Welfare) (opens in a new tab) ₹2.5 lakh income limit, fees + academic allowance, no pre-payment of fees, CA/ICWA/CS students covered · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
  12. Government of West Bengal — West Bengal Student Credit Card portal (About) (opens in a new tab) ₹10 lakh at 4% simple interest, 1% concession, age 40, courses and competitive-exam coaching covered, 15-year repayment · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
  13. Government of West Bengal — Information Centre: West Bengal Student Credit Card Scheme (opens in a new tab) 10 years' residence, co-borrower, moratorium course + 1 year, no margin money up to ₹4 lakh · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
  14. Government of Gujarat — MYSY scholarship portal (opens in a new tab) scheme portal; could not be opened on 24 Oct 2026, so no amounts are printed here

Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.