JoSAA B.Arch & B.Planning Counselling 2026 – Complete Guide

Most students associate JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) primarily with B.Tech admissions to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs based on JEE Main Paper 1 and JEE Advanced ranks. However, JoSAA also conducts a separate, considerably smaller counselling track dedicated to B.Arch and B.Planning seats at participating NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. This track operates on JEE Main Paper 2 scores (Paper 2A for B.Arch, Paper 2B for B.Planning) rather than Paper 1 or JEE Advanced ranks, and has its own distinct choice-filling process, seat matrix, and rank list.

Because B.Arch and B.Planning are professional degree programs with very different curricula from B.Tech, only institutes that actually run architecture or planning departments participate in this track — a much smaller subset of JoSAA's overall list of participating institutes. Students interested in these courses need to specifically research and register for this track separately, even if they are simultaneously participating in the main B.Tech counselling.

Timeline Relative to Main B.Tech Counselling

JoSAA generally structures the B.Arch/B.Planning counselling to run within the same broad counselling season as B.Tech, often with overlapping or closely sequenced rounds, since both use the same JoSAA online portal and administrative infrastructure. However, because Paper 2 results (particularly the Drawing Test component of Paper 2A) may be declared on a slightly different schedule than Paper 1, the exact start of B.Arch/B.Planning choice-filling can lag behind B.Tech choice-filling by some days or weeks. Candidates should monitor the official JoSAA website closely for exact 2026 dates.

Institutes That Participate (Indicative List)

This list is illustrative, not an official or exhaustive record. The precise set of participating institutes changes based on JoSAA's published business rules each year — always confirm against the official brochure before choice filling.

Eligibility for JoSAA B.Arch/B.Planning Track

To participate, candidates must hold a valid JEE Main Paper 2 score — Paper 2A for B.Arch seats or Paper 2B for B.Planning seats — for the relevant academic year. In addition, candidates must meet JoSAA's general eligibility norms, which typically include having Mathematics as a subject in Class 12 and satisfying a minimum aggregate marks criterion or being among the top performers of their respective board, mirroring the eligibility structure used for B.Tech admissions. Age limits and other general JoSAA eligibility conditions also apply.

How the Process Differs From B.Tech Counselling

While the underlying seat allotment algorithm and round structure (multiple rounds of allotment, freezing, floating, sliding, and withdrawal options) are conceptually the same as B.Tech counselling, the B.Arch/B.Planning track has a dramatically smaller seat pool. This means students should treat their choice list strategy differently — being more exhaustive in listing every eligible institute and program combination, since even one or two additional choices can meaningfully change outcomes given the limited number of total seats available.