NATA 2026

Written by L K Monu Borkala, Founder & Chief Strategist · Last updated 2 October 2026

NATA 2026 is the Council of Architecture's aptitude test for B.Arch admission, scored out of 200. Part A is a 90-minute offline drawing test for 80 marks and Part B is a 90-minute online adaptive test for 120 marks. Phase 1 ran from 4 April to 13 June 2026 and Phase 2 on 7 and 8 August 2026.

Architecture is the one engineering-adjacent course where Karnataka's big counselling bodies do not run their own paper. COMEDK, for example, conducts no entrance test for B.Arch and asks for a valid NATA or JEE aptitude test score, as its 2026 brochure states. NATA is also unusual because it can be taken twice in Phase 1 and the better score used, depending on each admission authority's rules.

NATA 2026 key dates

Application fee

From NATA score to B.Arch seat

Read the B.Arch programme guide for duration and curriculum, then check how COMEDK UGET treats architecture applicants. The national route through JEE Main also carries an architecture paper. Browse all programmes on the courses page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the NATA 2026 exam pattern?

NATA 2026 is scored out of 200. Part A is an offline drawing test of 90 minutes for 80 marks: Composition and Color (25), Sketching and Composition in B&W (25) and 3D Composition (30). Part B is an online adaptive test of 90 minutes for 120 marks with 42 MCQ and 8 NCQ questions.

How many times can I attempt NATA 2026?

Phase 1 allows up to two attempts and Phase 2 allows one attempt. Phase 1 tests ran on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 April to 13 June 2026, and Phase 2 was held on 7 and 8 August 2026.

What is the NATA 2026 fee?

The fee is per test: ₹1,750 for General and OBC (NCL), ₹1,250 for SC, ST, EWS and PwD, ₹1,000 for transgender candidates and ₹15,000 for centres outside India.

What is the NATA eligibility?

Candidates who passed or are appearing in 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics along with Chemistry, Biology, a Technical Vocational subject or Computer Science, with at least 45% aggregate, or who hold a 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics.

Does NATA run counselling?

No. Admission follows centralised counselling by the respective admission authorities. In Phase 1 they may use the best raw score or the percentile score under their own rules. Phase 2 vacant-seat admissions may use the raw score from Phase 1 or Phase 2.

Sources: NATA 2026 brochure and the NATA schedule. More tests are on the exams page.

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This article is for informational purposes only. Dates and fees come from the official notices linked above and can change, so check the conducting body's site before you apply.

Candidates who passed or are appearing in 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry, Biology, a Technical Vocational subject or Computer Science, with at least 45% aggregate marks, or who hold a 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics.

The brochure does not state an age limit.

Part B covers Visual Reasoning, Logical Derivation, General Knowledge in Architecture and Design, Language Interpretation, Design Sensitivity and Numerical Ability, as listed in the NATA 2026 brochure.

Phase 1 allows up to two attempts; Phase 2 allows one.