Eligibility criteria and entry

Candidates who have completed plus two with physics, chemistry, mechanical /engineering drawing and maths and scored 60 per cent minimum aggregate marks are eligible to apply for the B.Arch. programme.

Entrance to architecture courses is through national and state level entrance examinations. The Council of Architecture conducts national level entrance examination for entry to undergraduate programmes in government and private institutes. States such as Tamil Nadu hold separate entrance exams to architecture and engineering colleges in the state. Private institutes conduct entrance exams of their own. Entrance to architecture programmes at the India Institutes of Technology is through the Joint Entrance Exams (JEE) held in May each year.

In addition to the entrance exam, candidates have to appear for an aptitude test. This test assesses the candidates' ability in the following areas.

• Visual and spatial perception
• Color concepts
• Free hand drawing
• Aesthetic aptitude

Postgraduate courses

At the postgraduate level (Master of Architecture), specialisation is available in the following areas

• Urban designing
• Town planning
• Construction management
• Traffic and transport planning
• Naval architecture
• Project management
• Landscape designing
• Industrial design
• Environmental planning
• Architectural conservation
• Building engineering

These courses are open to graduates in architecture. Environmental planning is open to postgraduates in sociology, economics and geography as well.

Doctoral programmes can be pursued after M.Arch. or with a B.Arch plus five years experience in professional practice or teaching or research. Postgraduate programmes are usually of two to three semesters duration.

Openings

Architects may be employed in the following organisations:

Government organisations

• Central Public Works Department
• State Public Works Department
• National Building Organisation, New Delhi ( Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India)
• Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), New Delhi
• National Institute of Urban Affairs, New Delhi
• State Housing Boards
• City Development Authorities
• Municipalities

Private sector

• Real estate development firms
• Construction industry
• Private architecture firms
• Consultancy firms

To be a consultant or set up private practice, it is imperative to register with the Council of Architecture. This body along with the Indian Institute of Architects lays down the guidelines for working hours, work environment, fees etc.