The Council of Architecture (CoA) has opened the registration window for the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) 2026, the national-level entrance examination for admission to Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programmes across India. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official website nata.in. The examination is conducted multiple times in a year, giving students the opportunity to improve their scores. According to the official schedule, the NATA 2026 exam will commence on 4 April 2026 and will be conducted at designated test centres across the country.
NATA 2026 Exam Schedule
The entrance exam will be held in several sessions over a few months to provide flexibility to candidates. Key exam schedule details include:
- Exam Start Date: 4 April 2026
- Exam End Date: 13 June 2026
- Exam Days: Fridays and Saturdays
The examination will be conducted in different sessions each week, allowing candidates to select their preferred test date during registration.
NATA 2026 Registration Process
The NATA application process is conducted completely online. Candidates must register on the official portal, fill out the application form, upload the required documents and pay the application fee to confirm their participation in the exam. Basic steps in the registration process include:
- Visit the official website nata.in
- Complete the online registration using personal details
- Fill the NATA 2026 application form
- Upload photograph, signature and other required documents
- Pay the application fee and submit the form
Candidates are advised to verify all the details carefully before final submission.
NATA 2026 Exam Pattern
The NATA exam evaluates candidates’ aptitude for architecture through a combination of drawing skills, analytical ability and mathematical understanding. Key exam highlights include:
- Exam Mode: Hybrid format (drawing test and online aptitude section)
- Total Marks: 200
- Duration: Around 3 hours
The exam is designed to assess skills such as visual perception, creativity, logical reasoning and aesthetic sensitivity, which are important for architecture studies.
Number of Attempts and Result
Candidates are allowed to appear for the NATA exam up to three times in a year, and the best score among all attempts will be considered for admission to architecture programmes. The result of each test session is typically declared within a short period after the exam. Candidates can use their scores to apply for B.Arch admissions in participating architecture institutes across India.