NATA 2025: Your Gateway to a Career in Architecture
The National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is a crucial examination for students aspiring to pursue a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree in India. Conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA), NATA 2025 assesses a candidate’s innate aptitude for architecture through a variety of testing methods. This page provides a complete guide to NATA 2025, including eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, application process, and important dates.
What is NATA?
NATA is a national-level entrance examination designed to evaluate a candidate’s inherent abilities relevant to architectural studies. Unlike subject-specific exams, NATA focuses on assessing:
Cognitive Skills: Problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical abilities.
Visual Perception: Understanding of spatial relationships, form, and composition.
Aesthetic Sensitivity: Appreciation for design principles and aesthetics.
Logical Reasoning: Ability to deduce conclusions and solve problems logically.
General Awareness, Architecture & Design: General awareness of Architecture.
NATA is not something that can be simply taught or learned; it evaluates inherent aptitude. Passing NATA is a mandatory requirement for admission to B.Arch. programs in recognized institutions across India, as per the CoA (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations.
Why NATA 2025?
NATA has been the go-to entrance test since 2006, offering a reliable assessment of aptitude.
NATA 2025 maintains CoA standards while expanding opportunities.
The test will be administered on Fridays and Saturdays, between March and June 2025, accommodating numerous aspirants.
Table of Contents
- PISA - PAPNI SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
- NATA 2025: Your Gateway to a Career in Architecture
- What is NATA?
- Why NATA 2025?
- Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction to the Council of Architecture (CoA)
- 2. About NATA
- 3. Schedule of Examination
- 4. NATA 2025 Syllabus
- 5. Eligibility Criteria
- 6. Application Procedure
- 7. Filling up the Application Form
- 8. Issue of Appointment Card
- 9. Allocation of Test Centre
- 10. Declaration of Results
- 11. Interpretation & Legal Jurisdiction
- 12. Weeding Out Rules
- 13. Procedure for Conduct of Examination
- 14. Procedures to be followed in the Examination at Test Centres (APPENDIX-I)
- 15. DOS AND DON’TS (APPENDIX-II)
- 16. Guidelines for filling up the online form (APPENDIX-III)
- 17. List of Probable / Tentative Examination Cities (APPENDIX-IV)
- 18. Important Dates (APPENDIX-V)
- FAQ’s
- PISA - Papni School of Architecture
1. Introduction to the Council of Architecture (CoA)
The Council of Architecture (CoA) is the apex statutory body in India responsible for regulating architectural education and the profession of architecture. Established under the Architects Act, 1972, the CoA’s key functions include:
Maintaining the register of architects in India.
Setting standards for architectural education.
Recognizing qualifications for architects.
Regulating the practice of architecture and ensuring professional conduct.
Conduct NATA.
2. About NATA
The Council will administer NATA-2025 for admission to approved Architectural Institutions during 2025-2026.
Tests are on designated Fridays and Saturdays, in two sessions, from March to June 2025.
Admissions will be handled by state/UT authorities based on NATA score and CoA eligibility.
NATA measures candidates’ aptitude through diverse testing methods.
It evaluates cognitive abilities, visual sense, logic, and critical thinking.
3. Schedule of Examination
NATA 2025 will be conducted on designated Fridays and Saturdays, starting from March 1st, 2025, until June 2025.
Exam Timings:
| Day | Session | Time |
| Fridays | Afternoon Session | 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM (3 hours) |
| Saturdays | Morning Session | 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (3 hours) |
| Saturdays | Afternoon Session | 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM (3 hours) |
Important Note for Candidates who Appeared in NATA 2024:
Candidates who appeared in NATA 2024 and obtained a valid score can also apply for NATA 2025. However, their NATA 2024 score will be frozen, and their NATA 2025 score will be determined as follows:
| NATA 2024 Status | NATA 2025 Attempts | Final Score |
| Valid 2024 Score | 1st Attempt | Better of both scores (NATA 2024 & 2025) |
| Valid 2024 Score | 1st & 2nd Attempt | Best of three scores (NATA 2024 & 2025) |
| Valid 2024 Score | 1st, 2nd & 3rd Attempt | Best of three NATA 2025 scores (NATA 2024 score becomes invalid) |
Candidates can choose their preferred city/region and date during registration. The Council will allot the Test Centre and session based on these preferences, but the Council’s decision is final.
4. NATA 2025 Syllabus
NATA 2025 will be a comprehensive aptitude test, comprising two parts:
Part A: Drawing and Composition Test (Offline) – 90 Minutes, 80 Marks
Part B: MCQ and NCQ (Computer-Based Adaptive Test) – 90 Minutes, 120 Marks
Total Marks: 200 (Part A + Part B)
Part A: Drawing and Composition Test (Offline)
This section assesses drawing and composition skills. Candidates will have 90 minutes to complete three questions:
| Question | Description | Marks |
| A1 | Composition and Color: Creating compositions and coloring them appropriately. | 25 |
| A2 | Sketching & Composition (Black and White): Drawing and depicting situations involving various elements. | 25 |
| A3 | 3D Composition: Creating 3D compositions using provided materials. | 30 |
Part B: MCQ and NCQ (Computer-Based Adaptive Test)
This section is an online test with 50 questions, lasting 90 minutes.
| Question Type | Number of Questions | Marks |
| B1: MCQ | 42 | |
| B2: NCQ | 8 | |
| Total | 50 | 120 |
Total time for each questions is 108 seconds.
The questions will cover the following topics:
Visual Reasoning: Understanding and reconstructing 2D and 3D compositions.
Logical Derivation: Decoding situations, contexts, and generating meaning.
G.K., Architecture & Design: Architecture awareness, design, and current events.
Language Interpretation: Understanding English grammar and generating meaning from words and sentences.
Design Sensitivity and Thinking: Analyzing people, spaces, products, and environments; critical thinking.
Numerical Ability: Basic mathematics and its application to creative thinking and geometry.
The medium of the test will be English and Hindi.
5. Eligibility Criteria
5.1 Taking NATA-2025
Candidates must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible to appear for NATA 2025:
Passed or appearing in 10+1 Examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) subjects.
Passed or appearing in 10+2 Examination with PCM subjects.
Passed or appearing in 10+3 Diploma Examination with Mathematics as a subject.
5.2 Admission to First year of B.Arch. Program
To be admitted to the first year of a B.Arch. program, candidates must meet the following criteria, as per the Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations, 2020:
Passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with either Chemistry, Biology, Technical Vocational subject, Computer Science, Information Technology, Informatics Practices, Engineering Graphics, or Business Studies, with at least 45% marks in aggregate.
ORPassed 10+3 Diploma Examination with Mathematics as a compulsory subject, with at least 45% marks in aggregate.
Important Note: Qualifying in NATA 2025 does not guarantee admission to a B.Arch. program. Candidates must fulfill all prescribed requirements specified by the respective competent authorities and comply with the Council’s eligibility criteria.
5.3 Reservations
Reservation and relaxation in qualifying marks for reserved categories are determined by the Admission/Counselling Authority and are not part of the NATA examination itself.
5.4 Help Desk
Email: stusupport@nata-app.online
Phone: 7385395400
6. Application Procedure
The NATA 2025 application process is entirely online. The online form filling will start from 03.02.2025. Candidates can register for a maximum of three attempts. Appearing for multiple attempts is optional.
Steps to Apply:
Visit the NATA Portal: Go to www.nata.in.
Create an Account: Generate a username and password by providing the required details.
Fill the Online Application Form: Click on “ONLINE APPLICATION NATA–2025”. The form is divided into three main sections:
Personal Details: Fill in your personal information. Fields marked with * are mandatory.
Document Uploading: Upload scanned images of your photograph and signature.
Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online.
Print Confirmation Page: After successful fee payment, take a printout of the Confirmation Page for your records. Do not send any documents by post.
7. Filling up the Application Form
The online application form is interactive, with guidance provided at each step. (See detailed instructions in Section 16: Guidelines for Filling Up the Online Form).
Key Points:
Unique Identification: Your name, father’s name, mother’s name, date of birth, and postal address, taken together, must be unique for each application.
Email Verification: The system will verify your email address.
Password and Security Question: Choose a strong password and a security question/answer pair for password recovery.
Mandatory uploads: Recent passport photo, color, both ears visible.
Candidate signature.Image Uploading: Upload a recent color passport-size photograph and your signature in the specified format and size (see table below).
Fee payment: Can be done via EPG services.
Image Specifications:
| Document | Minimum Size | Maximum Size | Height | Width |
| Photograph | 4 KB | 100 KB | 4.5 cm | 3.5 cm |
| Signature | 1 KB | 30 KB | 1.5 cm | 3.5 cm |
7.3 Application Fee Details
| Category | Fee (in India, INR) | Fee (Outside India, INR) |
| General/OBC (NCL) | 1750 | 15000 |
| SC/ST/EWS/PwD | 1250 | |
| Transgender | 1000 |
Per Test.
The application fee is non-refundable.
Candidates can opt for additional tests at a later stage, up to a maximum of three attempts.
Multiple application forms with changed credentials will be rejected.
Payment Methods:
EPG (Electronic Payment Gateway): Pay using debit card, credit card, or net banking.
7.4 Confirmation Page
After successful fee payment, a Confirmation Page will be generated. This confirms your registration for NATA 2025. Print and preserve this page. It is not an admit card.
7.5 Discrepancy and Correction
Carefully review your application before submitting. You will have one opportunity to correct personal details during a designated correction window (see APPENDIX-III in section 16).
8. Issue of Appointment Card
After registration, an Appointment Card (Admit Card) will be generated, indicating the allotted Test Centre, session, and appointment number.
Download and Print: Download the soft copy of the Appointment Card from the website and print a hard copy.
Required at Test Centre: Bring the printed Appointment Card and a valid photo ID (Voter Card, Pan Card, Aadhaar Card, Driving License, or Passport) to the Test Centre.
Condition of Card: Ensure the photograph and signature on the Appointment Card are not mutilated or soiled. Damaged cards will not be accepted.
Retention: Retain the Appointment Card in good condition until the declaration of results and completion of the admission process.
Candidates will be provisionally allowed, but if found ineligible, candidature will be cancelled.
9. Allocation of Test Centre
Test centers are assigned based on candidate preferences, but availability and Council discretion apply.
Candidates opting for multiple tests must generate new appointment cards after each result.
10. Declaration of Results
NATA 2025 results will be declared on the website www.nata.in.
10.2 Qualifying Criteria
To qualify in NATA 2025, candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
Minimum 20 marks in Part A (Drawing and Composition).
Minimum 30 marks in Part B (MCQ and NCQ).
Overall qualifying marks: 70 out of 200 (aggregate of Part A and Part B).
If a candidate appears for multiple tests, the best score obtained across all attempts will be considered the valid score.
10.3 Validity of NATA- 2025 Score
The NATA 2025 score is valid for one academic year only.
11. Interpretation & Legal Jurisdiction
The Council’s interpretation of any clause in the brochure is final and binding.
Legal matters related to NATA–2025 fall under the jurisdiction of Courts in Delhi only.
The Council is not a party to disputes arising during admission to institutions.
12. Weeding Out Rules
NATA-2025 examination records will be preserved for 90 days from the result declaration date.
13. Procedure for Conduct of Examination
Important procedures for the conduct of the examination are detailed in the following sections.
14. Procedures to be followed in the Examination at Test Centres (APPENDIX-I)
Time Schedule:
Activity 1st Session 2nd Session Report to Centre 9:00 AM 12:30 PM Opening of Examination Hall Gate 9:15 AM 12:45 PM Candidate Registration Completion 9:45 AM 1:15 PM Closing of Examination Hall Gate 10:00 AM 1:30 PM Commencement of Examination 10:00 AM 1:30 PM Duration of Examination 10:00 AM-1:00 PM 1:30 PM -4:30 PM Late entry will not be permitted after 10:15 AM (1st Session)/ 1.45 PM (Second Session).
Exit from the examination centre is not allowed before 1.00 PM (1st session)/ 4.30 PM (2nd Session).
Required Items:
Downloaded Original Appointment Card.
Original Proof of Identity (Aadhaar, Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, or Valid Photo ID).
Pencils, erasers, dry colors, Scale (up to 15 Cms).
Entry to Examination Hall: Candidates must show their Appointment Card and valid photo ID for entry.
Prohibited materials: Textual material, devices, etc.
Not allowed: Phones, calculators, etc.
Provided materials: Paper for rough work.
Allowed materials: Candidates must use test center materials.
Leaving the hall: Permission required to leave before the exam ends.
Maintaining order: Silence; disturbances lead to cancellation.
Following guidelines: Candidates must follow government advisories.
Candidates found indulging in unfair means will face cancellation of candidature and may be debarred from future examinations.
Impersonation will lead to cancellation and legal action.
15. DOS AND DON’TS (APPENDIX-II)
| DOs | DON’Ts |
| Read online instructions carefully before filling the application form. | Do not divulge your username, security question/answer, or password. |
| Specify all personal information, address, and date of birth correctly. | Do not provide a wrong/unused mobile number or email ID. Ensure the email address is active for future correspondence. The Council is not responsible for communication issues due to incorrect information. |
| Remember your username, security question/answer, and password. | Do not upload poor-quality scanned photographs or signatures. |
| Choose the city of the Test Centre carefully. | Do not send the filled-in Confirmation Page or any documents by post. |
| Upload a color photograph and signature of the specified size only. | Do not spoil the hard copy of your downloaded Appointment Card. |
| Retain a copy of the Confirmation Page. | Do not bring blades, mobile phones, calculators, or any other electronic gadgets inside the Examination Hall. |
| Follow the time schedule as mentioned in the brochure and Appointment Card. | Do not bring any drawing instruments inside the Examination hall. |
| Carry pencils, erasers, dry colors, scale upto 15 cms to the exam hall. | |
| Only candidates with an Appointment Card will be granted entry to the examination hall. |
16. Guidelines for filling up the online form (APPENDIX-III)
This section provides detailed, field-by-field instructions for completing the online application form.
| Sl. No. | Field Description | Value | Remarks |
| A. Personal Information | |||
| 1 | Candidate’s Full Name | Enter name | As registered in Class 10th. Do not use prefixes like Sri, Mr, Ms, Dr, Late, etc. |
| 2 | Father’s Name | Enter name | As registered in Class 10th. Do not use prefixes. |
| 3 | Mother’s Name | Enter name | As registered in Class 10th. Do not use prefixes. |
| 4 | Date of Birth | DD/MM/YYYY | As registered in Class 10th. |
| 5 | Gender | —Select— | Male (M) / Female (F) / Transgender (T) |
| 6 | Category | —Select— | General / SC / ST / OBC-NCL etc. |
| 7 | Person with Disability | YES/NO | Auto-filled with NO; change to YES if applicable. |
| 8 | Type of Disability | —Select— | Visual Acuity / One-eyed vision / Physically challenged. Enclose a certificate from a competent authority. |
| 9 | Place of Residence | —Select— | Rural / Urban / Sub Urban |
| 10 | Nationality | —Select— | Indian / OCI / PIO / Foreign |
| 11 (a) | ID Document Type | —Select— | Aadhaar Card /Voter Card/ Pan Card/ Driving License / Passport/School photo Identity card (to be uploaded) |
| 11 (b) | ID Number | —Enter— | ID number as applicable |
| B. Details of education – Class X or equivalent | |||
| 13 | Education Qualification | Fixed | Class 10th or equivalent |
| 14 | Pass Status | Fixed | Passed |
| 15 | Course/Stream Name | Fixed | High School |
| 16 | Board | —Select— | Select from drop-down list |
| 17 | Year of Passing | —Select— | Select from drop-down list |
| 18 | Obtained Marks (Subject-wise) | Enter value | Mandatory |
| 19 | Total Marks | Enter Value | Mandatory |
| 20 | % Marks | — | Auto Calculate |
| 21 | Roll No/Enroll No | Enter value | Enter correct roll number as per Class X records |
| 22 | Institute Name and Address | Enter name and address of school of study in Class X | |
| 23 | Pin Code | 6 character | Pin code of school address |
| C. Details of education – Post X | |||
| 24 | Education Qualification | —Select—- | Class 12th or equivalent |
| 25 | Pass Status | — Select — | Passed / Appearing |
| 26 | Course/Stream Name | — Select — | 10+2 /10+3 Diploma |
| 27 | Board/University Name | —Select— | Select from drop-down list |
| 28 | Year of Passing | —Select— | Conditional – if Passed, Select from drop down list |
| 29 | Obtained Marks | Enter Value | Conditional – if passed, enter aggregate |
| 30 | Total Marks | Enter Value | Conditional – if Passed |
| 31 | % Marks | — | Auto Calculate – if passed |
| 32 | Roll No/Enroll No | Enter value | Conditional – if Passed |
| 33 | Institute Name and Address | Enter | Enter name and address of the school of study in Class 10+2/10+3 Diploma Examination. Mandatory. |
| 34 | Pin Code | 6 character | Pin code of school address – Mandatory |
| D. Communication address | |||
| 35 | Address of Residence | Enter | Enter full address |
| 36 | State of Domicile | —Select— | All states and union territories to be shown |
| 37 | District of Domicile | —Select— | Select from drop down menu |
| 38 | Pin Code | 6 character | Mandatory |
| 39 | Email ID | Enter Valid ID | Please enter valid – to be used for communication |
| 40 | Mobile No | Enter Valid No | Please enter valid – to be used for communication |
| 41 | Land line No | Enter Valid No | Optional |
| E. Secure application before final submission | |||
| 42 | Choose Password | Enter as per password policy | 1. Password must be 8 to 13 characters long.<br> 2. Password must have at least one Upper case, one lower case alphabet and one numeric value and at least one special characters such as!,@,#,$,%,^,&,*,- <br>3. New Password cannot be identical to any of the previous three passwords. |
| 43 | Confirm Password | Enter same as above | Has to match with the above entry and noted down for all future entries into the system |
| 44 | Security Questions | —Select— | Select from options in drop down menu |
| 45 | Security Answer | Enter Response | Please enter relevant value and note down – used for future retrieval of forgotten password |
Review: Review your application before final submission.
NATA Unique ID: After submission, a NATA Unique ID number will be generated. Note this down along with your password and security question/answer.
Corrections: Corrections can only be made during a designated correction window.
False Information: Providing false information will lead to cancellation of candidature and/or the NATA-2025 score.
17. List of Probable / Tentative Examination Cities (APPENDIX-IV)
A comprehensive list of probable/tentative examination cities across India and one international location (Dubai) is provided. Key cities include:
Andhra Pradesh: Guntur, Vijayawada, Kadapa, Visakhapatnam
Assam: Guwahati
Bihar: Gaya
Chhattisgarh: Raipur
Delhi: New Delhi
Goa: Panaji
And other major cities across all Indian states and union territories.
International Centre: Dubai (subject to availability of a sufficient number of candidates).
Note: check table aboce for the full list
The final list of cities depends on availability and the number of requests.
Candidates applying for international centers will not be able to choose their test center.
International cities cannot be chosen as a second or third choice.
18. Important Dates (APPENDIX-V)
The detailed schedule of important dates for NATA 2025 activities will be published separately on the NATA website (www.nata.in). Keep checking the website for updates.
FAQ’s
You can contact the NATA Help Desk:
Email: stusupport@nata-app.online
Phone: 7385395400
The schedule will be available on the official NATA website (www.nata.in).
The NATA 2025 score is valid for one academic year (2025-2026 admissions).
To qualify, you need:
Minimum 20 marks in Part A.
Minimum 30 marks in Part B.
Overall qualifying marks: 70 out of 200.
Results will be declared on the NATA website (www.nata.in).
Mobile phones, calculators, electronic watches with calculator facilities, any textual material (printed or written), and any other unauthorized items are strictly prohibited.
You must bring:
Printed Appointment Card.
Original valid photo ID (Aadhaar, Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, etc.).
Pencils, erasers, dry colors, and a scale (up to 15 cm).
The Appointment Card is your admit card. It will be generated after you register and will contain details of your allotted Test Centre, session, and appointment number. You must download and print it.
No, the entire application process is online. You do not need to send any documents by post.
Yes, there will be a designated correction window during which you can make one set of corrections to your personal details.
The application fee varies based on category (check Section 7.3 in the provided content for the exact fee structure). The fee is non-refundable.
You need to upload:
A recent color passport-size photograph (with both ears visible).
Your signature.
Specific size and format requirements are provided in the application guidelines.
The application process is entirely online. Visit the NATA website (www.nata.in), create an account, fill out the application form, upload documents, and pay the fee.
NCQ stands for “No Choice Questions.” These are questions in Part B where you will likely need to type in a numerical answer or perform a specific task on the computer, rather than selecting from multiple-choice options.
The medium of the test will be English and Hindi.
Part B assesses your aptitude through:
Visual Reasoning
Logical Derivation
G.K., Architecture & Design
Language Interpretation
Design Sensitivity and Thinking
Numerical Ability
Part A assesses your drawing and composition skills through:
Composition and Color: Creating compositions and coloring them.
Sketching & Composition (Black and White): Drawing scenarios involving buildings, people, environments, etc.
3D Composition: Creating 3D compositions using provided materials.
NATA 2025 has two parts:
Part A: Drawing and Composition Test (Offline): 90 minutes, 80 marks (3 questions).
Part B: MCQ and NCQ (Computer-Based Adaptive Test): 90 minutes, 120 marks (50 questions).
Total Marks: 200
Reservation and relaxation in qualifying marks for reserved categories are determined by the Admission/Counselling Authority of the respective state/institution, not by NATA itself.
You must have:
Passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with either Chemistry, Biology, Technical Vocational subject, Computer Science, IT, Informatics Practices, Engineering Graphics, or Business Studies, with at least 45% marks in aggregate.
ORPassed a 10+3 Diploma Examination with Mathematics as a compulsory subject, with at least 45% marks in aggregate.
And you must have a valid NATA score.
You must have passed or be appearing in one of the following:
10+1 Examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).
10+2 Examination with PCM.
10+3 Diploma Examination with Mathematics as a subject.
It depends on how many attempts you make in NATA 2025:
One Attempt: The better of your NATA 2024 and NATA 2025 scores will be used.
Two Attempts: The best of the three scores (NATA 2024 and two NATA 2025 attempts) will be used.
Three Attempts: Only your NATA 2025 scores will be considered (the best of the three), and your NATA 2024 score will become invalid.
No, NATA scores are valid only for the academic year in which the test is taken. If you appeared in NATA 2024 and wish to apply for admissions in 2025, you must take NATA 2025. However, if you take NATA 2025, your 2024 score may be considered
You can attempt NATA 2025 a maximum of three times within the academic year.
NATA assesses innate aptitude, which cannot be taught or learned in the traditional sense. However, familiarizing yourself with the exam pattern and practicing relevant skills (like drawing, spatial reasoning, and logical deduction) can improve your performance.
NATA assesses a candidate’s aptitude for architecture, focusing on cognitive skills, visual perception, aesthetic sensitivity, logical reasoning, and general awareness related to architecture. It’s designed to evaluate inherent abilities rather than learned knowledge.
Yes, qualifying in NATA (or JEE Paper 2 for Architecture) is mandatory for admission to B.Arch. programs in institutions recognized by the CoA. However, fulfilling NATA requirements alone doesn’t guarantee admission; you must also meet the specific eligibility criteria of the institution you’re applying to.
The Council of Architecture (CoA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, conducts NATA.
NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Council of Architecture (CoA) for admission to the 5-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree program in recognized institutions across India.
