The NATA 2026 application process is expected to begin tentatively in February 2026 through the official website, nata.in. Candidates must first complete online registration by entering basic personal details and verifying them via OTP. After receiving login credentials, applicants need to pay the registration fee online to proceed further. Once payment is confirmed, candidates must fill in academic details, select exam preferences, and choose the exam centre. Scanned documents such as photograph, signature, and ID proof must be uploaded in the prescribed format. After final review, the application form must be submitted, and the confirmation page should be downloaded for future use. The NATA 2026 exam is tentatively scheduled to be held in April 2026. Candidates should complete all application steps within the given timeline to avoid last-minute issues.
NATA 2026 Application Dates
The NATA 2026 application schedule outlines key stages from registration to result declaration. Candidates must track these dates carefully to complete form submission, corrections, and exam-related steps without missing deadlines. The table below presents the tentative NATA 2026 application dates, including registration, admit card release, exam date, and result timeline, based on expected notification patterns.
| Event | Tentatives Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | February 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Form | April 2026 |
| Form Correction Window | April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | April 2026 |
| NATA 2026 Exam Date | April 2026 |
| Result Declaration | May 2026 |
NATA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The NATA 2026 eligibility criteria define who can apply for the exam based on nationality, educational background, subjects studied, marks obtained, and number of attempts. Candidates must meet all conditions to be considered eligible for admission. The table below explains the detailed NATA 2026 eligibility requirements, including qualification, age limit, minimum marks, year of passing, and attempt rules.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Candidates must be Indian citizens. |
| Educational Qualification | Should have passed or be appearing in 10+2 or 10+3 Diploma examination with Mathematics as a compulsory subject. |
| Required Subjects | Mathematics is mandatory in both qualifying paths, either 10+2 (Science stream) or 10+3 Diploma (any stream with Math). |
| Age Limit | No upper or lower age limit prescribed by CoA for appearing in NATA. |
| Minimum Aggregate Marks | General/OBC/EWS: Minimum 50% aggregate in qualifying exam. SC/ST/PwD: Minimum 45% aggregate. |
| Year of Passing | Candidates appearing in or having passed Class 12/Diploma in 2023, 2024, or 2026 are eligible. |
| Attempts Allowed | Candidates can appear in up to three attempts, and the best score is considered for admission. |
NATA 2026 Registration Fee
The NATA 2026 registration fee varies by category and candidate type. The fee must be paid online during application submission and is mandatory to complete the registration process. Once paid, it cannot be refunded under any circumstances. The table below shows the category-wise NATA 2026 registration fee for Indian and international candidates, as prescribed by the Council of Architecture.
| Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| General | INR 1,750 |
| SC/ST/PwD | INR 1,250 |
| Transgender | INR 1,000 |
| Candidates outside India | INR 15,000 |
How to Fill NATA 2026 Application Form?
Candidates could fill out the NATA 2026 application form only through the official website, nata.in. The entire process involved 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 had to go to the NATA 2026 portal and click on the “NATA 2026 Registration” button. A new page opened where candidates had 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 received an OTP on their registered mobile number/email ID. Once verified, the system generated 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 had to pay the registration fee through online payment options like debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking. The fee amount depended on the candidate’s category and the number of tests they chose. Only after a successful transaction could the form be completed.
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 had 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:
- A recent passport-size colour photograph
- Scanned signature in the right format (JPG/JPEG, as per size instructions)
- Class 10 mark sheet (for DOB proof) and Class 12 mark sheet or hall ticket
- A valid photo ID like Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence
- Caste/category certificate (if applying under SC/ST/OBC/EWS quota)
- PwD certificate, only if applicable
- Payment details for online fee submission
NATA 2026 Application 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.
- The exam centre once selected 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 an 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 have 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 FAQs
When will NATA 2026 registration start?
NATA 2026 registration is tentatively expected to begin in February 2026 on the official website, nata.in.
What is the last date to submit the NATA 2026 application form?
The last date to submit the NATA 2026 application form is tentatively scheduled for April 2026.
Who is eligible to apply for the NATA 2026 exam?
Candidates who are Indian citizens and have passed or are appearing in 10+2 or a 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics as a compulsory subject are eligible for NATA 2026.
Is there any age limit for appearing in NATA 2026?
No, the Council of Architecture has not prescribed any upper or lower age limit for NATA 2026.
What are the minimum marks required for NATA 2026 eligibility?
For NATA 2026, General/OBC/EWS candidates need at least 50% aggregate marks, while SC/ST/PwD candidates need 45% aggregate in the qualifying exam.
How many attempts are allowed for the NATA 2026 exam?
Candidates can appear for NATA 2026 up to three times, and the best score among the attempts is considered for admission.
What is the NATA 2026 registration fee for General category candidates?
The NATA 2026 registration fee for General category candidates is INR 1,750.
How can candidates fill out the NATA 2026 application form?
The NATA 2026 application form can be filled only online through the official website nata.in by completing registration, fee payment, form filling, document upload, and final submission.
What documents are required while filling the NATA 2026 application form?
Candidates need a passport-size photograph, scanned signature, Class 10 and 12/Diploma documents, valid photo ID, category certificate (if applicable), and payment details for NATA 2026.
When will the NATA 2026 admit card be released?
The NATA 2026 admit card is expected to be released in April 2026, a few days before the examination, on the official website.
