NATA Application Process 2026: Dates, How to Apply, Fees, Eligibility

NATA 2026 Application Form will be made available online on the official website nata.in, most likely starting from February 2026. Candidates interested in appearing for the exam will need to complete the registration process, fill in the required details, upload scanned documents, pay the application fee, and finally submit the form before the deadline, which is yet to be announced. All information entered in the application form must match the candidate’s official documents to avoid any issues later on.

Before applying, candidates are strongly advised to check the official eligibility criteria to ensure they meet all the requirements. Applicants will be allowed to attempt the NATA 2026 Exam up to three times, and the application fee must be paid for each attempt. The authorities will also offer a form correction window, providing candidates with a chance to review and edit any incorrect details submitted earlier. To avoid last-minute hassles, candidates should complete their registration before the closing date.

NATA 2026 Application Dates

The NATA 2026 registration is expected to begin in March 2026, through the official website nata.in. The Council of Architecture conducts the exam in multiple sessions, allowing students to appear in one or more attempts. For the first test, candidates are allowed to complete their registration and fee payment by the first week of April 2026. The admit cards will be made available in the fourth week of April, and the first test of NATA 2026 will be conducted in the same month at designated centres across the country.

NATA 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Students can apply for NATA 2026 only if they meet the eligibility criteria set by the Council of Architecture (CoA) for B.Arch admission. The NATA eligibility criteria include things like being an Indian citizen, passing Class 12 with certain subjects, and scoring the required minimum marks. Given below is the detailed NATA 2026 Eligibility Criteria for students' reference:

NATA 2026 Registration Fee

Candidates filling the NATA 2026 application form are required to pay the registration fee to complete their submission. The payment can be made only through online modes such as debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking. Applications without a successful fee payment will be considered incomplete and not accepted by the Council of Architecture.

Since the registration fee is non-refundable, candidates are advised to double-check all their personal and academic details before making the payment. Once the transaction is successful, a payment receipt appears on the portal. Students must download and keep it safe for future use during counselling or admission.

How to Fill NATA 2026 Application Form?

Candidates can fill out the NATA 2026 application form only through the official website, nata.in. The entire process involves six major steps from registration to downloading the final confirmation page. Below is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1. Go to the Official NATA Website

Students have to go to the NATA 2026 portal and click on the “NATA 2026 Registration” button. A new page opens where candidates have to enter their basic details, such as full name, mobile number, email ID, and date of birth, to start the process.

Step 2. Finish Registration to Get Login Credentials

After submitting the initial form, candidates receive an OTP on their registered mobile number/email ID. Once verified, the system generates a unique Application Number and password for logging in.

Step 3. Make the Payment Before Filling the Form

Before proceeding to fill the rest of the form, candidates have to pay the registration fee through online payment options like debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking. The fee amount depends on the candidate’s category and the number of tests they chose. Only after a successful transaction is the registration process complete.

Step 4. Fill in Personal, Academic, and Exam Details

Candidates will be required to enter their personal information, Class 10/12 or Diploma details, exam preference (Test 1, 2, or 3), and preferred exam centre. It's important to review all information carefully before final submission.

Step 5. Upload the Required Documents

A recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature have to be uploaded in JPG/JPEG format. In addition, scanned images of the candidate’s ID proof and qualifying exam certificate (if available) are required.

Step 6. Submit and Save the Confirmation Page

After verifying all details and completing document uploads, candidates must submit the application. A confirmation page will be generated on the portal, which has to be downloaded and saved. This page serves as proof of successful registration and may be needed during the exam or counselling process.

Documents Required for NATA 2026 Application

Before starting the NATA 2026 application, students must keep all necessary documents ready. This helps them avoid confusion or errors at the last minute. These are the documents most candidates must have with them:

• Recent passport-size colour photograph
• Scanned signature in JPG/JPEG format
• Class 10 mark sheet (for date of birth proof)
• Class 12 mark sheet or hall ticket
• Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence)
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS if applicable)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Online payment details

Check More: NATA 2026 Exam Pattern

NATA Application Form 2026: Important Instructions

Before starting the NATA 2026 application, students are advised to properly read all the instructions. Even small errors in the form can delay verification or even get the form rejected.

• Once selected, the exam centre can't be changed, so students have to be extra careful while choosing the location.
• Only one application per candidate will be allowed. Submitting more than one can cause problems.
• The photo and signature have to be clear and uploaded in the exact format and size mentioned by the authorities. Blurry or wrong uploads can lead to form rejection.
• A valid email ID and mobile number are necessary for registration. All future updates, like admit card info or exam alerts, are sent to these registered contacts.
• The application fee has to be paid online via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI. Forms without a successful payment will not be accepted.
• It is a good idea to take a printout of the filled form and payment receipt for future reference. These might be needed later during admissions, too.
• A correction window will be given after the application deadline, but only a few things can be edited, so it is better to double-check everything before submitting the form.
• The NATA 2026 Admit Card will be released closer to the exam and has to be downloaded from the official site before the test date.

NATA 2026 Application Process FAQs