NATA 2027
National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA)
NATA is the Council of Architecture's aptitude test for B.Arch admission. The 2026 test carried 200 marks: an 80-mark drawing paper and a 120-mark online adaptive test. This page also explains the JEE Main Paper 2A route to B.Arch.
- Conducted by
- Council of Architecture (CoA), New Delhi
- Mode
- Hybrid: Part A drawing test on paper at the centre, Part B computer-based adaptive test
- Frequency
- Once a year, with a main Phase 1 and a smaller Phase 2 for vacant seats
- Duration
- 3 hours (Part A 90 minutes, Part B 90 minutes)
NATA 2027: Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern
Updated on 18 October 2026 · Compiled from official Council of Architecture notices
NATA is a qualifying aptitude test for the 5-year B.Arch degree. It does not give a seat by itself; state and institute authorities run the admissions.
About NATA
NATA, the National Aptitude Test in Architecture, is conducted by the Council of Architecture in New Delhi and is required by many colleges and state authorities for the five-year B.Arch degree. It suits students who have drawing and design aptitude and want architecture seats outside the JEE Main Paper 2A route used for NITs, SPAs and other JoSAA B.Arch programmes. The 2026 test combined a paper-based drawing section with a computer based adaptive section, and candidates could attempt it twice in Phase 1. A score is valid only for that admission session. NATA 2027 has not been announced; the 2026 brochure was released on 8 March 2026.
NATA 2027 at a glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) |
| Conducted by | Council of Architecture (CoA), New Delhi |
| Frequency | Once a year, with a main Phase 1 and a smaller Phase 2 for vacant seats |
| Mode | Hybrid: Part A drawing test on paper at the centre, Part B computer-based adaptive test |
| Duration | 3 hours (Part A 90 minutes, Part B 90 minutes) |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Courses | B.Arch (5-year Bachelor of Architecture) |
| Accepted by | B.Arch colleges and state counselling authorities across India that admit on NATA scores; NITs, SPAs and other JoSAA B.Arch seats use JEE Main Paper 2A instead |
| Official website | www.nata.in |
Key dates
NATA 2027 brochure and registration
Expected around Jan to Mar 2027
NATA 2027 Phase 1 tests
Expected April to June 2027
NATA 2027 Phase 2 test
Expected August 2027
What NATA is
The Council of Architecture has conducted NATA since 2006. CoA regulations require every B.Arch candidate to qualify an aptitude test in architecture, which can be either NATA or the architecture paper of JEE Main conducted by the NTA. Actual admission is done by the state or UT admission authority or the institute, using a valid score and the eligibility rules of CoA and that authority.
NATA tests cognitive skills, visual perception, aesthetic sensitivity, logical reasoning and critical thinking. The brochure describes it as an aptitude test that cannot be mastered by rote.
NATA versus JEE Main Paper 2A
There are two routes into B.Arch. NATA scores are used by state counselling authorities and many private and deemed colleges. JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch) is used for the B.Arch seats of NITs, SPAs and other institutes in the JoSAA and CSAB process, and for DASA B.Arch seats. A candidate can sit for both tests.
The 2026 DASA brochure lists JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A for B.Arch and Paper 2B for B.Planning. The paper structure and dates of JEE Main Paper 2A are set by the NTA in the JEE Main bulletin, so check that bulletin for the cycle you are applying in.
| Point | NATA | JEE Main Paper 2A |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | Council of Architecture | National Testing Agency |
| Used for | State counselling and private or deemed B.Arch colleges | NIT, SPA and other JoSAA or CSAB B.Arch seats |
| Drawing | Part A, on paper, 80 marks (2026) | Drawing section of the paper; check the JEE Main bulletin |
| Result form (2026) | Raw score and percentile | NTA score and rank |
NATA structure is from the NATA 2026 brochure. Check the JEE Main bulletin for Paper 2A details.
Key facts for 2026
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Session covered | 2026-27 admissions |
| Phase 1 | 4 April to 13 June 2026, Fridays (afternoon) and Saturdays (two sessions) |
| Phase 2 | 7 and 8 August 2026, for vacant seats only |
| Online form opened | 9 March 2026 |
| Scoring | Percentile in Phase 1, raw score only in Phase 2 |
| Minimum qualifying marks | None prescribed; a non-zero percentile is the qualifying score |
Source: NATA 2026 Information Brochure (nata.in).
Explore NATA 2027
- NATA DatesRegistration, exam and result timeline
- NATA Application FormSteps, fee, documents and photo rules
- NATA EligibilityWho can apply, attempts and age
- NATA Exam PatternSections, marks and marking scheme
- NATA SyllabusSubject-wise units and topics
- NATA Admit CardDownload steps and exam-day carry list
- NATA ResultScorecard, rank and what comes next
- NATA CutoffQualifying marks and admission cutoffs
- NATA CounsellingRounds, choice filling and documents
- NATA PreparationStudy plan, strategy and mistakes
- NATA All GuidesEvery guide, predictor and article
Frequently asked questions
Does NATA 2027 have official dates yet?
No. The Council of Architecture had not announced NATA 2027 at the time of writing. The dates tab lists estimates based on the 2026 cycle.
Who conducts NATA?
The Council of Architecture, a statutory body under the Ministry of Education, conducts NATA. The NTA conducts JEE Main Paper 2A separately.
Is NATA compulsory for B.Arch?
You need to qualify an aptitude test in architecture, which can be NATA or JEE Main Paper 2A. Which one you need depends on the college or counselling you are targeting.
How many marks is NATA 2026?
200 marks: 80 for Part A drawing and 120 for Part B.
How many attempts are allowed?
In 2026, up to two attempts in Phase 1, or one attempt in Phase 2, and only one phase can be used.
What is the NATA fee?
In 2026 it was Rs 1,750 per test for General and OBC (NCL), Rs 1,250 for SC, ST, EWS and PwD, Rs 1,000 for transgender candidates and Rs 15,000 for candidates outside India.
Is there a minimum qualifying mark?
No minimum raw score was prescribed in 2026. A non-zero percentile on the Final Scorecard is the qualifying score.
How long is the NATA score valid?
The NATA 2026 score is valid for the 2026-27 academic session only.
Can I use my NATA 2025 score in 2026?
Yes, if you did not take admission on it and did not take two attempts in NATA 2026. Candidates who appeared in NATA 2026 replaced the 2025 score, as explained in the brochure.
What is the eligibility for B.Arch?
10+2 with Physics and Mathematics plus Chemistry, Biology or another listed subject with at least 45 percent aggregate, or a 10+3 diploma with Mathematics and 45 percent.
Is NATA used for NIT B.Arch seats?
No. NIT and SPA B.Arch seats in JoSAA are allotted on JEE Main Paper 2A.
Is there negative marking?
The 2026 brochure does not mention it. Check the test instructions and CoA notices.
When will NATA 2027 be held?
Not announced yet. Based on the last cycle, registration may open in early 2027 and Phase 1 may run April to June 2027, but this is only an estimate.