Architecture And Planning Courses In India: Eligibility | Colleges | Salary
Architecture and Planning courses in India: Architecture is the backbone of every civilization that has ever existed. Architecture influences culture and in turn, culture influences architecture. At the same time, Architecture is also considered an art form, which is demanded to be aesthetic to the eyes. Although architecture is not just building something up, it requires planning and understanding of the society’s needs.
Architecture and its allied courses are very popular among students. An Architectural job is lustrous and heavily in demand. Our nation is a developing nation constantly in demand for new structures of all kinds to pertain to the needs of society, therefore providing a lot of scope for young aspirants.
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Architecture and Planning Courses in India

- Bachelor of Architecture
- Master of Architecture
- PhD in Architecture
- Bachelor of Planning
- Master of Planning
- PhD in Planning
Bachelor of Architecture
Eligibility:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Passed 10+2 with Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry as compulsory subjects |
| Minimum Marks | At least 50% aggregate in 10+2 (some institutes require 60%) |
| Alternative Qualification | 10+3 Diploma (any stream) recognized by Central/State Govts with Mathematics as a subject |
| Entrance Exams | – NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) – conducted by Council of Architecture (COA) – JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch) – conducted by NTA (for NITs, SPAs, and some other colleges) |
| Age Limit | No specific age limit (varies slightly by institute or state) |
| Approval Body | Council of Architecture (COA), India |
A young aspirant of architecture should have a free mind, a mind which can go into tangents and still be creative. One should also have an analytical approach to deal with problems. Above all, one should be good at geometry and mensuration.
Master of Architecture
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (B.Arch) from a recognized university/institute |
| Minimum Marks | 50% – 55% aggregate in B.Arch (varies by institute) |
| Entrance Exams | Common ones include: – GATE (Architecture & Planning) – CEED (for design-oriented programs) – Institute-level entrance tests (e.g., JNAFAU, TANCET) |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory, but some institutes may prefer candidates with relevant industry or academic experience |
| Duration of Program | 2 years (Full-time) |
| Approved by | Programs must be approved by Council of Architecture (COA), India |
PhD in Architecture
Eligibility:
- Should have a Master’s degree in Architecture or Planning.
- Should have a minimum of 55% in total marks in Post-Graduation.
- Many universities conduct entrance exams and interview before giving admission.
Top Colleges for Architecture in India
- Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
- School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi
- School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal
- National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli
- Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi
- School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
- Anna University, Chennai
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Bachelors of Planing
Eligibility:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Passed 10+2 (or equivalent) from a recognized board with the following subjects: – Mathematics (mandatory) – Other subjects can include Physics/Chemistry (depending on the institute) |
| Minimum Marks | At least 50% aggregate marks in 10+2 (some institutes may require more) |
| Entrance Exams | – JEE Main Paper 2B (Planning) – for NITs, SPAs, and other central universities – State or university-level exams for other colleges |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit (may vary by exam authority) |
| Course Duration | 4 years (8 semesters) full-time undergraduate degree |
Above everything else, one should be judicious and resource optimising. Planning is a concept in which one has to juggle properly a lot of constraints; thus, one should have good management skills.
Masters of Planning
Eligibility:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any of the following: – B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) – B.Planning – BE/B.Tech (Civil Engineering, or relevant fields) – MA/M.Sc in Geography, Economics, Sociology, Environmental Science, or similar |
| Minimum Marks | Minimum 50–55% aggregate in qualifying degree (varies by institute; 5% relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Entrance Exams | – GATE (Architecture & Planning / Civil Engineering / Geography) – Some institutes conduct their own entrance test or interview (e.g., CEPT, JNAFAU, SPA) |
| Duration | 2 years (Full-time) |
| Preferred Background | Candidates with exposure to urban studies, GIS, environmental issues, or infrastructure are preferred |
PhD in Planning
Eligibility:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Master’s degree in Planning, Architecture, Urban Design, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, or any allied discipline |
| Minimum Marks | At least 55% aggregate marks in post-graduation (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD in some institutes) |
| Entrance Exam | – Most institutes conduct a written test + interview – Some may accept UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or JRF scores |
| Work/Research Experience | Not mandatory, but preferred (especially for professionals or those without GATE/NET) |
| Proposal Requirement | Many universities require submission of a research proposal or Statement of Purpose (SOP) at the time of application |
| Full-time / Part-time Options | Available in most institutions (some may require NOC for part-time applicants) |
Top Colleges for Planning in India
- School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
- College of Engineering, Pune
- University of Mysore, Mysore
- Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
- National Institute of Technology, Calicut
- CEPT University, Ahmedabad
- School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
Job Profiles of Architecture and Planning Courses
- Architectural Conservator
- Architectural Engineer
- Building Inspector
- Architectural Critic
- Architectural Technician
- Architecture Professor
- Project Planner
- Urban Planner
- Interior Planner
Salary: Average starting salary of an Architecture is in the range of Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs per year. On the other hand, the average starting salary of a Planner is in the range of Rs 3 lakhs to Rs 6 lakhs per year.

Architecture and Planning Courses in India: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are some software which helps students of Architecture and Planning courses in India?
A few of the top designing software recommended for Architects are –
- Auto CAD
- Sketch Up
- Rhino 3D
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- Are the jobs for graduates in Architecture and Planning courses in India stable?
Yes, The architecture/planner jobs in India are very stable and are rarely affected by exterior factors.
- Are the jobs for graduates in Architecture and Planning courses in India in demand?
Yes, Architect/planner jobs are always in demand. India is especially a hotspot of with buildings being set up every hour.