What is NATA?

Architecture has been steadily growing as a field which Indian students choose for their future studies in current times. While the preference and demand for Architecture is high, there are only a few national level entrance examinations - namely JEE Main Paper 2 and NATA which offer a chance for the students to be allotted to the top architecture colleges and institutes. While JEE Main is a popular entrance examination, many students may be in the dark about NATA. So what is NATA? Careers360 presents an exclusive article to help students understand the details and the entrance examination and to know what is NATA. Read the full article below to know more.
Latest: NATA 2020 first and second attempt to be held on August 1 and August 29. NATA application form and correction portal to reopen soon for both attempts.

Every year, NATA is conducted in April and May. However, NATA 2020 both attempts were postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis so the timeline of the examination is experiencing a change. The NATA first attempt will now be conducted on August 1 and the second attempt will be conducted on August 29.

What is NATA?

So what is NATA? National Aptitude Test in Architecture or commonly known as NATA is a national level entrance exam for admissions into B.Arch courses offered by recognized institutes of the country. NATA is conducted to measure the aptitude of the candidates to check their eligibility for admissions into the undergraduate architecture courses. The exam aims to assess the drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at 10+2 level and critical thinking ability of the candidates.The entrance examination is conducted twice a year and the candidates are allowed to apply for both sessions. This allows the candidates who did not do as well as expected in the first exam to have a second chance. Attempting the second exam is optional.

What eligibility criteria has to be met for NATA?

To be eligible for NATA, there are a few eligibility criteria that has to be met by the candidates. These eligibility criteria of NATA is prescribed by COA and it has to be fulfilled otherwise it can lead to the disqualification of the candidate. The following criteria has to be checked beforehand by the candidate before registering for NATA:

• Should be minimum 17 years old as on July 31 of the admission year.

• Candidates should have passed 10+2 (or equivalent) qualifying exam from a recognized board.

• Minimum 50% aggregate marks should have been scored in Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry.

• For B.Arch admissions into the preferred institute, a valid NATA score has to be secured along with meeting the above mentioned criteria.

How to apply for NATA?

The application form of NATA is released on the official website at nata.in in online mode. No other mode is used by the authorities to release the application form. For both the attempts, the application form is released at the same time, however the final date to submit the form will be different. Candidates who wish to attempt both sessions can apply at the same time. During the application process, all of the fields related to personal, academic and communication details have to be mandatorily filled. Scanned images of the candidate’s photograph and signature also has to be uploaded and the application fee has to be paid.

What after the NATA application process?

After the application form is submitted, the candidates will be able to download their admit card when it is generated. NATA admit card has to be downloaded and printed out since it will be required when the candidates report to the centres for the examination. If the admit card along with a valid identity proof is not presented at the exam centres of NATA, then the candidates will not be allowed to attempt the examination.

NATA is conducted in both online and offline mode and the entire exam is held in English. The exam pattern of NATA can be checked from the table below for a more detailed understanding.

NATA Exam Pattern

Exam Schedule of NATA

What is the admission process of NATA?

There is no common admission process of NATA. COA just conducts NATA, which is the entrance examination to provide the eligibility to the candidates for B.Arch admissions. After the conclusion of NATA, the candidates will have to individually apply for admissions into the institutes of their preference. Regarding the admissions, the candidates will have to individually visit the websites of the institutes. Usually, the application process for most of the institutes starts after the result of NATA is announced. It should be noted that the validity of the NATA score is only one year.

State-wise Seat Matrix of NATA

List of Some Institutes Accepting NATA Score

• School of Architecture, CSI Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh

• Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai

• Guwahati College of Architecture, Assam

• Angel Valley School of Architecture, Chhattisgarh

• Faculty of Architecture, College of Engineering, Andhra Pradesh

• Institute of Architecture, Gujarat

• Dignity College of Architecture, Chhattisgarh

• S.A.R. College of Architecture, Andhra Pradesh

• College of Architecture, Vastu Kala Academy, New Delhi

• College of Architecture, Holy Mary Institute of Technology & Sciences, Andhra Pradesh

• Sri Venkateswara College of Architecture, Hyderabad

Contact Details

Council Of Architecture

India Habitat Centre, Core 6A, 1st Floor,

Lodhi Road,

New Delhi-110003 India