Top Architecture Colleges in India

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, released by the Ministry of Education, has announced its latest rankings for Architect ure and Planning colleges in India. These rankings highlight the premier institutes that are shaping the future of the built environment with excellence in academics, research, and sustainable design practices. The evaluation process is based on several parameters including Teaching & Learning Resources, Research & Professional Practice, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach & Inclusivity, and Peer Perception. Institutions securing top ranks are recognized for their innovative curriculum, expert faculty, industry-oriented training, and global contributions in architectural studies. For students aspiring to build a career in Architecture and Urban Planning, the NIRF rankings serve as an essential guide in choosing the best institutes that provide both strong academic foundations and professional exposure. The NIRF Rankings 2025 were officially declared by Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for Education and External Affairs. The complete list is available on the official website, nirfindia.org. This year, 10,885 institutes participated in the ranking framework, reflecting massive growth since its launch in 2016. Notably, IIT Madras has consistently maintained its top position in the overall and engineering categories. NIRF Ranking 2025: Top 5 Architecture Colleges in India Based on the 2025 framework, the top institutes in Architecture & Planning are: Rank 1: IIT Roorkee Rank 2: NIT Calicut Rank 3: IIT Kharagpur Rank 4: IIEST Shibpur, West Bengal Rank 5: Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi Other highly reputed institutions include CEPT University (Ahmedabad), SPA Delhi, SPA Bhopal, SPA Vijayawada, and NIT Trichy.

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee

Roorkee

Est. 1847

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee was established in 1847 by the then lieutenant governor, Sir James Thomason in British India. It is the seventh Indian Institute of Technology.

National Institute of Technology Calicut

Calicut

Est. 1961

National Institute of Technology Calicut was established in 1961 as Calicut Regional Engineering College. It is an autonomous and one of the 31 institutions of Insitute of National Importance under the NIT Act 2007.

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Kharagpur

Est. 1951

IIT Kharagpur, established on 18 August 1951, is renowned as one of the famous institutes in India that provides education on basic and applied research and higher technology.

Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur

Howrah

Est. 1856

Jamia Millia Islamia

Delhi

Est. 1920

Jamia Millia Islamia was established in 1920 at Aligarh in United Provinces, India and became a Central University by an act of the Indian Parliament in 1988. Jamia Millia Islamia has been secured 12th rank under Agriculture Category by NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) India, 2023.

CEPT University

Ahmedabad

Est. 1982

School of Planning and Architecture Delhi

Newdelhi

Est. 1941

Commonly known as SPA Delhi, established in 1941, School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi is a co-educational public school, providing a regular course in the field of higher education for the deserving candidates.

National Institute of Technology Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirappalli

Est. 1964

Commonly known as NIT Trichy, National Institute of Technology Tiruchirapalli (formerly known as Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli), is a public engineering institution was established in 1964 to cater the needs of satisfactory higher education.

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology

Nagpur

Est. 1960

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur has been secured 32th rank under Engineering Category in India by NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework), in 2022.

School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal

Bhopal

Est. 2008

School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal was established in 2008 as Institute of National Importance. It offer quality education at undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and post-doctoral levels in planning and architecture.

National Institute of Technology (NIT), Patna

Patna

Est. 2004

National Institute of Technology (NIT), Patna has secured 63rd Ranking Under Engineering Category by NIRF (National Institutioanl Ranking Framewrok) in India, 2022.

Chandigarh University

Mohali

Est. 1995

Chandigarh University - Ranks #3 Among Top Private Indian Universities in QS World Rankings 2023

Chandigarh University, Punjab enjoys high standing among many national rating services that evaluate quality of education, research activity, affordability and athletic excellence. These rankings recognize not only CU as a whole, but also our many respected schools and departments. Chandigarh University, Punjab is proud to be recognized by the organizations and publications listed below for our excellence in education.

College of Engineering, Trivandrum

Trivandrum

Est. 1939

College of Engineering, Trivandrum was established on July 3rd, 1939, and it is the first engineering college in Kerala recognised & approved by AICTE, New Delhi and accredited by NBA, New Delhi.

Jadavpur University

Kolkata

Est. 1955

Jadavpur University in Kolkata has been secured 18th Rank in Pharmacy Category in National Institutional Framework Rankings (NIRF) 2022 by MHRD.

Maulana Azad College of Engineering Technology

Patna

Est. 1998

Maulana Azad College of Engineering Technology (MACET), Patna was approved by AICTE and affiliated to Magadh University. This is one amongst the oldest private engineering colleges in India.

SRM Institute of Science and Technology

Chennai

Est. 1985

Established in 1985, Sri Ramaswamy Memorial (SRM) Institute of Science and Technology (formerly known as SRM University), was established as SRM Engineering College in Kattankulathur under University of Madras, Chennai.

School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada

Vijayawada

Est.

School of Planning and Architecture (SPAV), Vijayawada was established in 2008 by the HRD Ministry as an autonomous institution. This is a premier Centrally Funded Technical Institution (CFTI) under the MHRD.

BMS College of Architecture

Est. 1980

Manipal University Jaipur

Jaipur

Est. 2011

Manipal University, Jaipur has been secured 85th ranking in Management Category by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2022.

Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra

Ranchi

Est. 1955

Established in 1955 at Mesra, Ranchi (Head Quarter) in the state of Jharkhand, India. Birla Institute of Technology Mesra was also known as BIT Mesra established by the philanthropist and industrialist Late Shri. B. M. Birla.

Architecture as a Career Path

Architecture is the art and science of planning, designing, and constructing buildings and urban spaces. It combines creativity with technical expertise, allowing professionals to engage in diverse roles such as urban planning, sustainable design, construction management, interior design, and infrastructure development.

Modern architects use Computer-Aided Design & Drafting (CADD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools to create innovative and eco-friendly structures. With rapid urbanization, skilled architects are in high demand across industries.

India has over 860 architecture colleges offering full-time, part-time, distance learning, and online programmes, making it one of the largest education hubs for architecture globally.

NIRF Ranking 2025: Ranking Criteria

The NIRF ranking methodology for Architecture colleges is based on the following weightage:

Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR): 30%
Research & Professional Practice (RP): 30%
Graduation Outcomes (GO): 15%
Outreach & Inclusivity (OI): 15%
Peer Perception (PR): 10%

Admission & Eligibility for Architecture Programs

Admission to Architecture programs in India is offered at Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral levels.

Eligibility requirements:

For B.Arch (UG): Class 12th with 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics, plus a valid score in national/state-level entrance exams.
For M.Arch (PG): A Bachelor’s degree in Architecture with at least 50% marks.

Entrance Exams for Admission:

NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) – conducted by the Council of Architecture (COA), accepted by 355 institutes across India.
Other entrance tests include KEAM, HITSEEE, GITAM GAT, etc.

After qualifying entrance exams, students must undergo counselling and document verification for final admission.