There’s something about architecture that makes us stop and admire the beauty of a well-designed space. No wonder more and more creative students are choosing it as their dream career! And at Architecture Tutorials, we’re here to help you turn that dream into reality, with the right guidance and support for the preparation for NATA & JEE Paper 2.
Being a leading architecture entrance exam tutor, I understand how a strong and influential academic foundation can unveil the creative potential of students. India has recently broadened its urbanization status, and this is influencing the demand for better infrastructure. So, architecture has turned out to be a dynamic field in recent times. But it is essential to choose the best colleges for architecture in India to hone your skills
Choosing the right architecture college is important to clear the way for getting future opportunities. A reputable architecture college offers top-rated faculty and infrastructure.
An environment that boosts your critical thinking and innovative mindset. In this blog, we will explore certain colleges and their top features.
How to Choose the Best Architecture Colleges in India?
Serving Afdindia, the best coaching institute for NATA & JEE2, I have already guided a number of aspiring architects for a decade. So, I can assure you that choosing the right architecture college includes verifying several factors instead of just going through their brochures. The following college should effectively nurture your passion and help you decide. Here, I have mentioned some key factors for your reference.
Accreditation
The foremost factor is to make sure the college is recognized under the Council of Architecture. This ensures that the institution is meeting national standards in terms of its faculty, curriculum, and professionalism.
Ranking
This is another significant deciding factor that you should explore. Ranking delivers valuable insight into the college’s research output, reputation, placements, and student reviews. To verify the rankings, you can refer to credible sources such as the NIRF.
College Curriculum and Program Diversity
Most of the students who consider NATA or JEE2 coaching focus on this factor. A reputable architecture college would offer various areas of specialization, and its curriculum would include trending fields like urban design, planning, and sustainable architecture.
Quality of Faculty
The colleges must have passionate and industry-experienced faculty members. They can help you transform your design values, and they will practice the best industry standards. Look out for colleges with active researchers, industry professionals, and experienced designers.
Placement Statistics
Reputed colleges would have strong bonds with leading architecture firms. Verify their placement records and the organisations their students have been to for internships in the past 5 years
List of Top Architecture Colleges in India
Here, I have listed some of the best colleges for architecture in India, along with their unique features and available programs.
Sir J.J. College of Architecture, Mumbai
This is one of the oldest and most respected architecture colleges in Asia. One of the best things about this college is how it helps students really understand the basics of design. Plus, they give you plenty of hands-on experience to put your learning into practice. The college is also well-known for its strong impact on both modern and historic architecture. If you want real-world expertise for your career, this is the place to be.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur
The Department of Architecture and Regional Planning was established in 1951. It focuses on design innovations and sustainable architecture. Many incredible graduates from IIT Kharagpur have gone forward to shape the architectural landscape of India. As per many relevant surveys, this college is ranked 1 due to its futuristic curriculum strategies.
Chandigarh College of Architecture
This is one of the highly sought-after architecture colleges in India. Most students who are passionate about sustainable planning and design prefer this college as their top priority. With the influence of Le Corbusier’s design, the architectural framework of Chandigarh has inspired a lot of aspirants. The college boasts an effective curriculum program that mainly focuses on green architecture along with sustainable practices.
School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi
This college opens up great opportunities for those interested in futuristic architecture, with a strong focus on urban planning and design. It’s a well-known place for shaping students who are excited about exploring both Indian and global architectural styles.
Here, you get several experienced faculty members in urban design. It also has strong research partnerships with prominent international universities.
CEPT University, Ahmedabad
CEPT’s B.Arch program offers a perfect mix of design thinking, hands-on learning, and real-world exposure. With a flexible curriculum, expert faculty, and immersive studio culture, students build strong foundations in sustainable and context-aware design. Whether you’re inspired by tradition or innovation, CEPT helps you shape spaces that matter. It also collaborates with global institutions to deliver international exposure to its students.
National Institute of Technology, Calicut
NIT Calicut’s B.Arch program offers a balanced blend of creativity, technical skills, and innovation. With well-equipped studios, expert faculty, and exposure to emerging design technologies, students gain hands-on experience in shaping sustainable, functional spaces. The program nurtures design thinking and problem-solving, preparing future architects to thrive in both academic and professional arenas.
Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
Rizvi College has a modern and efficient curriculum that helps students understand emerging architectural trends. Some of its most pivotal inclusions are planning smart buildings and digital fabrication. It has also integrated advanced mechanisms and the latest technologies into its curriculum. As this college is present in Mumbai, students get exposure to working on a wide range of architectural projects here.
Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi
Jamia Millia Islamia is one of the most reputed institutions in India and is also recognized as one of the top colleges that offer admissions based on the NATA entrance exam. It makes students learn modern design practices along with traditional cultural heritage for better performance. The B.Arch courses they offer include design studios, architectural theory, and internship management.
Admission Process to Top Architecture Colleges in India
If you have made up your mind to get admission to the top and best colleges for architecture in India, the application process is as below:
- Two of the most significant exams include NATA and JEE Main Paper 2.
- Clearing these exams can be your first step to getting admission into top architecture universities.
- Apart from these two exams, students are required to obtain state-specific ranks for seat allotment.
Admission through NATA 2026
Every year, the Council of Architecture takes the NATA exam. Colleges that have been affiliated with the COA majorly accept the NATA scores for admission, which is a 5-year architecture course. If you have qualified for 12th grade with at least 50% marks, you are eligible to apply
Based on the cut-off marks obtained in the NATA exam, your name will be shortlisted for the counseling procedure. However, cracking this exam is not easy. You need to devote the utmost time to solving critical questions and broadening your creative abilities & architectural aptitude. This is possible if you take the assistance of architecture tutorials. We are one of the best coaching institutes for NATA; I can assure you of success in the BArch exams with the coaching classes offered by Architecture Tutorials.
Admission through JEE Main Paper 2 2025
Admissions to reputed institutes, such as IITs, NITs, and SPAs, are based on qualifying in the JEE Mains Paper 2. The Joint Entrance Examination is conducted every year by the National Testing Agency. The following exam will be conducted in two sessions. The best scores will be considered for the counseling round. The application process for this exam is carried out online, and the fee structure differs for each category.
Career Opportunities after Studying Architecture in India
Our country, India, is undergoing huge infrastructure developments, rapid urbanization, and modernization. This will bring valuable opportunities for candidates who can generate sustainable and innovative spaces. The residential sector has a lot to offer. Here, candidates can get the chance to design various types of housing projects like villas, apartments, townships, city planning, etc.
The cultural sector is also serving as a rewarding factor for many architects in India. As a creative architect, you can consider projects that involve planning libraries, museums, monuments, etc. The industrial sector is also having a greater impact on future architects and serving projects like warehouses, factories, power plants, and much more.
Conclusion
Your architecture journey can flourish in the best manner if you plan to strengthen your foundation with the right college. The above top colleges that I have listed above are some of the best options available. However, to get into the best colleges for architecture in India, you need to nurture your vision, creativity, and structured training.
You need to build a strong academic base to crack the two main entrance exams for admission to BArch. This is possible if you take the assistance of professional coaching institutes for NATA & JEE paper 2 entrance exams. So, start your preparation now and shape your future with Architecture Tutorials.
Read to know more: JEE 2 Exam: Exam Dates, Pattern, Registration, Preparation Tips
