NATA Exam 2026: Exam Dates, Eligibility, Application Form, Exam Pattern, Admit Card, Syllabus, Result, Counselling

Latest Updates

• The application form will start from February 2026.
• From March to June 2026, the NATA exam will be conducted eight times each month, on every Friday and Saturday.
• The Colleges will announce their Counselling process for B.Arch programs in different phases after the result declaration.  Phase 2 is expected to begin in the second week of June 2026. Phase 3 is expected to begin in the third week of July 2026.
• The seat allotment process will happen in two rounds. Round 1 -counseling form filling on the 2nd week of August and allotment of seats also in the 2nd week of August, and round 2 shall begin on the third week of August 2026.

The NATA (National Aptitude Test for Architecture) 2026 exam is conducted in India by the Council of Architecture (CoA). The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) 2026 is being conducted on Fridays (afternoon session) and Saturdays (morning and afternoon sessions) 

The syllabus is divided into two parts. Part A, which contains a drawing composition test in online mode with a duration of 90 minutes, and Part B, which contains a computer-based adaptive test in offline mode with a duration of 90 minutes, which covers three subjects. The total duration is 3 hours (180 minutes), and the Mathematics and Drawing sections will feature multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

On the grounds of NATA eligibility, only Candidates who have completed 10+2 with Mathematics or a 10+3 Diploma in Mathematics are eligible for the exam. The minimum qualifying marks are 45% for General and 40% for SC/ST/OBC students. 

The NATA exam offers multiple language options to candidates, including English, Hindi, and some other regional languages. The difficulty level of the exam is expected to be moderate, with Mathematics being the most challenging section.

A total of 30 government colleges are providing  1,160 seats, and 63 private colleges are providing seats in the B.Arch program on the basis of the result of NATA 2025. Approximately 37,246 students attempted the NATA 2024 exam, and approximately 24,540 students successfully qualified for the NATA 2024 exam.

NATA 2026: Quick Highlights

The information mentioned below pertains to NATA 2026, which provides a brief overview of this examination.

NATA 2026: Exam Date

The candidate can check the exam dates and details of NATA 2026 from the table below:

What is NATA?

The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) has been conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA) since 2006 for admission to the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programs. The CoA (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations, 1983 and 2020, approved by the Central Government under the Architects Act, 1972, mandate that candidates must pass an aptitude test conducted by either NTA (JEE) or NATA for architecture admissions.

Final admissions are managed by the respective State or Union Territory authorities based on the valid NATA score and eligibility criteria. NATA evaluates candidates' cognitive abilities, visual perception, aesthetic sensitivity, logical reasoning, and critical thinking to determine their aptitude for architecture.

NATA Admit Card 2026

The admit card for the NATA 2026 entrance exam will be released online by the Council of Architecture (CoA) on the official NATA website https://www.nata.in/. All the important information regarding the admit card, such as guidelines, timings, centre address, and examination date, will be available on the admit card of NATA 2026. Candidates will have to present their NATA 2026  admit card at the centre along with identity proof.

Steps to Download the NATA 2026 Admit Card

• Visit the Official Website
  Candidates must visit nata.in on their computer or mobile browser.
• Log In to Your Account
  Enter your email ID and password. Click on login. If you’ve forgotten these details, click on “Forgot application number or password” and follow the suggested steps. 
• Download the Admit Card
  Once logged in, your admit card will appear on the screen. Download it and take a printout.

Details Mentioned on the NATA Admit Card 2026

NATA Admit Card 2026 contains the following details. Ensure that the given information is correct.

• Candidate’s Name
• Candidate’s Roll Number
• Candidate’s Photograph and Signature
• Examination Center Address
• Date of Examination
• Time of Examination
• Examination Day Instructions

What to Carry Along With the NATA 2026 Admit Card?

While reporting at the examination centres, the candidates will have to present the following documents along with the NATA 2026 hall ticket.

• Original photograph (same as the one uploaded in the application form)
• One photo identity card, e.g., Voter Card, PAN card, Aadhar Card, Driving Licence.

Candidates may note that NATA 2026 is the qualifying aptitude test for admission to B.Arch. program offered by Universities / Institutions in the country, subject to the fulfillment of eligibility criteria as prescribed by the Council. 

Candidates must fulfill the following NATA Eligibility criteria 2026:

• Candidates who have passed or are appearing in 10+1 and 10+2 exams with PCM.
• Candidates who have passed or are appearing in the 10+3 Diploma exam in Mathematics.
• Candidates should have secured a minimum of 45% marks in the qualifying exam.

NATA Application/Registration Process

The application process for NATA is to be filled up in online mode through the official website. Here are the steps that you would need to follow to fill out the form.

Step 1 - Apply Online: Visit NATA Official Website, create an account, and fill in personal and academic details.

Step 2 - Upload Documents: Upload your photograph (4-100 KB) and signature (1-30 KB) in JPG/JPEG format.

Step 3 - Fee Payment: Pay via debit/credit card, net banking, or other online methods.

Step 4 - Confirmation Page: Print the confirmation page after successful payment.

NATA 2025 Application Fees

Here is the application fee based on categories.

Note: Fees are non-refundable, and additional tests can be opted for later, up to three attempts.

NATA Exam Pattern 2026

The Council of Architecture published the NATA exam pattern 2026 on the official website. Let’s dive into knowing the detailed NATA exam pattern for the NATA entrance exam 2026.

NATA Syllabus 2026

NATA 2026 will be conducted as a comprehensive aptitude test consisting of part A in offline mode and part B  in online mode. Here is the descriptive NATA 2026 syllabus.

Subjects and their topics are given in the table in detail:

The NATA result will be available online by the Council of Architecture on the official website nata.in. Candidates will need to log in using their credentials on the official website to access it. Qualifying candidates will continue to participate in the NATA Counseling process.

Steps To Check The Nata Result 

Here are given steps that you need to follow to get your result.

• You need to visit the official website nata.in.
• You have to find and click on the NATA result link on the site.
• You have to log in to your account by entering your application number.
• Your NATA will be available on the website.
• Download and print your scorecard for further use in the admission process.

No centralised counselling. There is no common counselling for NATA; it will not be conducted by the Council of Architecture. So the  Candidates will have to individually apply for admission into the participating public or private institutes after qualifying for the NATA exam.

Essential Documents for NATA Counselling:

Candidates must bring the following original documents (and photocopies) for verification during counselling.

• NATA Admit Card
• NATA Scorecard
• Class 10th Marksheet
• Class 12th Marksheet
• Category Certificate (if applicable)
• PwD Certificate (for candidates with disabilities)
• Residence Certificate (if applicable)
• Transfer Certificate (if applicable)

Colleges Accepting NATA Score 

The Council of Architecture (CoA) has released the list of NATA 2025 accepting institutions online at nata.in.  Admission into B. Arch courses are done as per the NATA scores. Here is the list of government and private colleges offering seats for admission that are now available.

NATA Preparation Tips 2026

NATA is a popular exam among B. Arch aspirants, by following the NATA Preparation Tips 2026, you can make a well-strategized study plan which will surely help them to get more marks in the exam. Here are the following tips.

1. Understand the Exam Structure & Pattern

• Know the syllabus: Emphasizes visual sensitivity, spatial reasoning, architecture awareness, math from classes 10–12, and general aptitude. 
• The exam is conducted in two parts: Part A (Drawing & Composition – offline) and Part B (Aptitude, Maths, Reasoning – online)
• Format: Part A: 3 questions (colour composition, B&W sketch, 3D composition)and Part B: ~50 MCQs/NCQs across aptitude, logic, math, GK & design.

2. Make Your  Personalised Study Plan 

• Begin the preparation at least 6-7 months before the exam.
• Design your study plan with or without a coach, and be disciplined.
• Divide the subjects in a daily study schedule like the one suggested below.

Note - You may follow the given timetable as a reference.

3. Solve Mock Tests and Sample Papers 

• Candidates are advised to give regular mocks and give them an idea to revise specific topics as per their requirement.
• Candidates should solve 15-20 sample papers to identify the challenging areas. It would also help to improve their management skills.

4. Regular Revision 

• Revise regularly and systematically, keep your focus on revising formulas, drawing strategies, and GK snippets.
• Do not follow multiple sources and new content before the exam. Stick to your notes, which you made during the preparation.

NATA Previous Years' Question Papers

In the table below, there are links provided to past year question papers of NATA from 2021 to 2025. You can check the links by clicking on them.

NATA Exam Day Guidelines 2026

Below are the given guideline  parameters that you need to check on the NATA exam day: 

• Carry your NATA 2026 Admit Card and a valid government photo ID (like Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Driving License, or Passport). Without these, you won’t be allowed to enter the exam hall.
• Bring one passport-size photo (same as the one you uploaded in the application form). 
• Reach the exam centre at least 1 hour early.
• Check your assigned computer to ensure it’s working properly.
• If you have a PwD certificate, don’t forget to carry a copy of it.
•  Make sure all your details are correct and you sign in the right place.

Note -  If you arrive 15 minutes after the exam starts, you won’t be allowed inside

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: When is the NATA 2026 exam?

Ans: The NATA exam 2026 is to be held in multiple seasons typically on Fridays or Saturdays, from March to late June or early July. Registration for the NATA exam 2026 will begin in February 2026. For more information, candidates are advised to check the official website.

Ques: What are the NATA 2026 eligibility criteria?

Ans: To appear in the NATA 2026 exam, candidates must have passed or be appearing in the 12th standard with mathematics as a mandatory subject along with physics and at least one of the subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Graphics, Business Studies, IT, etc, with a minimum of 45% marks.

Candidates with a 10+3 diploma with a mathematics subject with 45% marks are also eligible. There is no age limit specified. Reserved category candidates may also receive a concession in the minimum mark percentage as per the respective guidelines.

Ques: What is the passing score for NATA 2026?

Ans: To qualify for NATA 2026, candidates must score at least 70 out of 200 overall and a minimum of 20 marks in Part A and 30 marks in Part B is required to be considered eligible. If a candidate fails in any of the parts (part A, part B, or part C) means the candidate will not qualify for further admission stages.

Ques: How to prepare for the NATA 2026 exam effectively?

Ans: To prepare for the NATA 2026 exam effectively, you should understand the following things:

• Syllabus and Exam Pattern
• Make your  personalised study plan 
• Solve mock tests and sample papers 
• Regular revision

Ques: Best resources and books for the NATA 2026 exam preparation.

Ans: Best resources and books for the NATA 2026 exam preparation are given below: