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School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi is a government-funded Institution of National Importance established in 1941. Declared an Institution of National Importance under the School of Planning and Architecture Act, 2014, SPA Delhi operates under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The institute offers specialised education in architecture, urban and regional planning, industrial design, and building engineering.
As per NIRF Architecture 2025, SPA Delhi is ranked 8th in India in the Architecture category, with a NIRF score of 65.11. In 2024, it held Rank 5 in the same category with a score of 69.00.
The institute operates across a 30-acre campus in New Delhi, with 105 full-time faculty members, over 200 visiting faculty, and a student strength of 1,100+ students and scholars across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes.
- B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture), 5 years, admission via JEE Main Paper 2A and JoSAA counselling
- Total fees: INR 7.74 Lakhs for the full programme
- B.Plan (Bachelor of Planning), 4 years, admission via JEE Main Paper 2B and JoSAA counselling
- Total fees: INR 6.25 Lakhs for the full programme
- M.Arch, 2 years, three specialisations: Architectural Conservation, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design
- M.Plan, 2 years, five specialisations: Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Transport Planning, Housing, Environmental Planning
- M.Des (Industrial Design), 2 years, admission via CEED
- Master of Building Engineering and Management (M.BEM), 2 years
- Ph.D, across Architecture, Planning, Design, and Building Engineering disciplines
PG programmes (M.Arch, M.Plan, M.Des, M.BEM) carry total fees of INR 3.48 Lakhs for the 2-year programme. As per NIRF 2025 data, B.Arch graduates report a median salary of INR 7.50 LPA and PG graduates report INR 8.00 LPA.
SPA Delhi Admission Dates 2027
Admissions to SPA Delhi are governed by national-level examinations. B.Arch and B.Plan UG programmes follow the JEE Main Paper 2 route, with seat allotment through JoSAA counselling. PG admissions to M.Arch, M.Plan, M.Des, and M.BEM are conducted through JAAP-PG, using GATE or CEED scores as the qualifying criterion.
The 2026-27 batch admissions have fully concluded. The table below captures the key events from the concluded 2026-27 cycle for reference.
| Event | 2026-27 Cycle (Concluded) |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Paper 2 Session 1 | January 29, 2026 |
| JEE Main Session 1 Result | February 24, 2026 |
| JEE Main Paper 2 Session 2 | April 7, 2026 |
| JEE Main Session 2 Result | April 20, 2026 |
| JoSAA Registration and Choice Filling | June 2 to June 11, 2026 |
| JoSAA Round 1 Seat Allotment | June 13, 2026 |
| JoSAA Round 5 (Final UG Round) | July 16, 2026 |
| JAAP-PG 2026 Registration | March 2 to March 29, 2026 |
| JAAP-PG Physical Reporting | July 15 to July 16, 2026 |
The next 2027-28 cycle is expected to follow the same pattern. Tentative timelines based on historical patterns are given below.
| Event | 2027-28 Cycle (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Paper 2 Session 1 | January 2027 (Tentative) |
| JEE Main Paper 2 Session 2 | April 2027 (Tentative) |
| JoSAA Counselling | June to July 2027 (Tentative) |
| JAAP-PG Registration | March 2027 (Tentative) |
The table below outlines the entrance examination applicable to each programme family at SPA Delhi.
| Programme | Exam Accepted | Counselling Body |
|---|---|---|
| B.Arch | JEE Main Paper 2A | JoSAA / CSAB |
| B.Plan | JEE Main Paper 2B | JoSAA / CSAB |
| M.Arch, M.Plan, M.BEM | GATE (Architecture and Planning) | JAAP-PG |
| M.Des (Industrial Design) | CEED | JAAP-PG |
| Ph.D | UGC-NET / GATE / CEED (as applicable) | SPA Delhi direct |
SPA Delhi Courses and Fees
SPA Delhi offers 2 undergraduate, 11 postgraduate, and multiple doctoral programmes across architecture, planning, design, and building engineering. All fees below are based on the general quota, as sourced from semester-wise fee data.
| Programme | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees (General Quota) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Arch | 5 years | 10+2 with 50% PCM + JEE Main Paper 2A | INR 7.74 Lakhs |
| B.Plan | 4 years | 10+2 + JEE Main Paper 2B | INR 6.25 Lakhs |
| M.Arch (Architectural Conservation / Landscape Architecture / Urban Design) | 2 years | B.Arch + valid GATE / CEED score | INR 3.48 Lakhs |
| M.Plan (Urban / Regional / Transport / Housing / Environmental) | 2 years | B.Plan or relevant graduation + valid GATE score | INR 3.48 Lakhs |
| M.Des (Industrial Design) | 2 years | Graduation in relevant discipline + valid CEED score | INR 3.48 Lakhs |
| Master of Building Engineering and Management | 2 years | B.Tech / B.Arch + valid GATE score | INR 3.48 Lakhs |
| Ph.D | Minimum 3 years | PG degree + UGC-NET / GATE / CEED | INR 1.70 Lakhs |
The B.Arch programme is SPA Delhi’s flagship offering, with three distinct specialisations available at the M.Arch level for graduates who wish to continue at the same institution. The M.Plan programme with five specialisations is one of the broadest planning education portfolios offered by any single institute in India.
SPA Delhi Admission Process
B.Arch Admission
Candidates must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, securing a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. Qualifying in JEE Main Paper 2A is mandatory, followed by registration in JoSAA counselling. The JoSAA process includes choice filling, seat allotment across rounds, document verification, and fee payment.
The JEE Main Paper 2A closing rank for B.Arch at SPA Delhi (General Category) was AIR 207 in JoSAA 2026 Round 6. The B.Arch cohort is one of the most competitive among government architecture programmes in India, with a typical intake of 50 students per year.
B.Plan Admission
Candidates must have completed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. JEE Main Paper 2B is the qualifying examination for B.Plan. Counselling follows the JoSAA route. The closing rank for B.Plan (General Category) at SPA Delhi was AIR 233 in JoSAA 2026 Round 6.
B.Plan at SPA Delhi is among the few accredited undergraduate planning programmes in India. The small cohort size and JEE-only admission route keep this programme highly competitive.
M.Arch, M.Plan, M.Des and M.BEM Admission
Postgraduate admissions are conducted through JAAP-PG (Joint Admission for Architecture and Planning Postgraduate). GATE Architecture and Planning (AR) score is required for M.Arch, M.Plan, and M.BEM applicants. CEED score is required for M.Des applicants.
- Eligibility: B.Arch degree for M.Arch, B.Plan or equivalent for M.Plan, and relevant graduation for M.Des and M.BEM
- JAAP-PG registration opens in March each year
- Physical document verification and reporting is held in July
Ph.D Admission
SPA Delhi conducts its own Ph.D admission process annually. Eligibility requires a postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline plus a valid UGC-NET, GATE, or CEED score. The selection process involves research proposal submission and a faculty interview. Ph.D seats are available across architecture, planning, design, and building engineering disciplines.
SPA Delhi Placements and Career Outcomes
SPA Delhi graduates enter specialised domains: architecture practice, urban planning consulting, government planning bodies, industrial design studios, and real estate development. Career outcomes are tracked through NIRF placement reporting, covering both industry placements and transitions to higher education.
As per NIRF 2025 placement data, the median salary for B.Arch (5-year UG) graduates stands at INR 7.50 LPA. B.Plan (4-year UG) graduates report a median of INR 5.23 LPA. PG graduates across M.Arch, M.Plan, and other postgraduate programmes report a median of INR 8.00 LPA. In 2024, 54 UG students and 185 PG students were placed or transitioned into employment or higher education roles.
| Programme | Median Salary (NIRF 2025) | Typical Career Roles |
|---|---|---|
| B.Arch | INR 7.50 LPA | Architectural designer, site architect, interior architect |
| B.Plan | INR 5.23 LPA | Urban planner, GIS analyst, planning consultant |
| PG (M.Arch, M.Plan, M.Des, M.BEM) | INR 8.00 LPA | Senior architect, conservation specialist, transport planner, design researcher |
SPA Delhi alumni are placed in leading architecture firms, national planning agencies, and government bodies including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, HUDCO, and city development authorities. A significant portion of graduates pursue independent practice or senior academic roles within 3 to 5 years of graduating.
SPA Delhi Rankings
SPA Delhi is consistently ranked among the top architecture and planning institutes in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework. In NIRF Architecture 2025, SPA Delhi secured Rank 8 with a score of 65.11. In 2024, it held Rank 5 with a score of 69.00.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Architecture | 8 (Score: 65.11) | 5 (Score: 69.00) |
SPA Delhi is the oldest government-run architecture and planning institute in India. The shift from Rank 5 (2024) to Rank 8 (2025) reflects changes in NIRF’s research output and graduation outcome parameters for the year.
SPA Delhi Campus and Infrastructure
SPA Delhi is located in New Delhi, spread across a 30-acre campus. The institute maintains separate buildings for its architecture and planning departments, each equipped with dedicated design studios and labs. The campus is well-connected by Delhi Metro.
Specialised facilities include GIS and remote sensing labs, materials testing laboratories, structural testing facilities, and conservation materials testing setups. A central library system with extensive architecture, planning, and design collections and electronic resource access serves both campuses.
Hostel accommodation is available on campus with a capacity of 450+ seats. Given the all-India catchment, hostel seats are limited relative to demand. The campus also houses seminar halls, a model-making workshop, and design exhibition spaces regularly used for student project displays.
SPA Delhi vs SPA Bhopal vs CEPT University
Aspirants for architecture and planning programmes in India often compare SPA Delhi with SPA Bhopal (another Institution of National Importance with JEE-route admission) and CEPT University Ahmedabad (a state-government deemed university offering one of India’s broadest design and planning programme portfolios).
| Parameter | SPA Delhi | SPA Bhopal | CEPT University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institute Status | Institution of National Importance (Central Govt.) | Institution of National Importance (Central Govt.) | Deemed University (State Govt. Gujarat) |
| Location | New Delhi | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| NIRF Architecture 2025 | Rank 8 | Not in top 25 | Does not participate |
| B.Arch Admission | JEE Main Paper 2 + JoSAA | JEE Main Paper 2 + JoSAA | NATA + CEPT entrance test |
| B.Arch Total Fees | INR 7.74 Lakhs (5 years) | Government subsidised | Higher (private deemed structure) |
| UG Programmes | B.Arch, B.Plan | B.Arch, B.Plan | B.Arch, B.Des, B.Plan, B.Tech (CE) |
| PG Portfolio | 11 programmes (M.Arch, M.Plan, M.Des, M.BEM) | Limited PG offerings | Broad (MURP, M.Arch, M.Des, M.Tech) |
SPA Delhi leads on NIRF ranking and research depth. SPA Bhopal suits candidates seeking a government-institute experience in central India. CEPT University offers a larger campus with broader multi-disciplinary design education, including civil engineering and multiple design streams, for candidates who prefer a university-scale environment.
SPA Delhi FAQs
Ques. What is the JEE Main cutoff for B.Arch at SPA Delhi?
Ans. The JEE Main Paper 2A closing rank for B.Arch at SPA Delhi (General Category) was AIR 207 in JoSAA 2026 Round 6. For B.Plan, the closing rank was AIR 233. These ranks vary each cycle depending on the total number of test-takers and overall seat availability.
Ques. Is SPA Delhi a government college?
Ans. Yes. SPA Delhi is a fully government-funded Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It was declared an Institution of National Importance under the School of Planning and Architecture Act, 2014. Fees are heavily subsidised compared to private architecture colleges.
Ques. What is the total fee for B.Arch at SPA Delhi?
Ans. The total fee for B.Arch at SPA Delhi is INR 7.74 Lakhs for the full 5-year programme under the general quota. Fees are charged on a per-semester basis. SC, ST, and PH category students are eligible for applicable government fee concessions.
Ques. Is hostel available at SPA Delhi?
Ans. Yes. SPA Delhi provides hostel accommodation with a capacity of 450+ seats. The hostel is limited relative to the total student strength, given the all-India applicant base. Priority is typically given to outstation students. Early registration upon admission confirmation is advisable.
Ques. What is the NIRF ranking of SPA Delhi?
Ans. SPA Delhi is ranked 8th in India in the Architecture category by NIRF in 2025, with a score of 65.11. In the NIRF 2024 edition, SPA Delhi held Rank 5 in the Architecture category with a score of 69.00.
Ques. Does SPA Delhi accept NATA for B.Arch admission?
Ans. No. SPA Delhi admits students to B.Arch exclusively through JEE Main Paper 2A, followed by JoSAA counselling. NATA scores are not accepted. This is different from most private and state-government architecture colleges, which use NATA as the primary qualifying exam.
Ques. What are the career options after B.Plan from SPA Delhi?
Ans. B.Plan graduates from SPA Delhi work as urban planners, transport planners, GIS analysts, and planning consultants with government bodies such as HUDCO, DDA, and city development authorities, as well as private urban planning firms. The median salary for B.Plan graduates is INR 5.23 LPA as per NIRF 2025 data. Many graduates also pursue M.Plan for advanced specialisation.
Ques. How is SPA Delhi different from CEPT University for architecture?
Ans. SPA Delhi is a central government Institution of National Importance with JEE-route admission and an NIRF Architecture rank of 8 (2025). CEPT University is a state-government deemed university in Ahmedabad with broader multi-disciplinary offerings including design, civil engineering, and planning under one campus. Candidates targeting low fees and a nationally ranked government institute typically prefer SPA Delhi. Candidates seeking a larger mixed-discipline design environment often consider CEPT University.
Comments
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Yes, Admission to Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Planning for the session 2024 -25 will be made through Joint Entrance Examination (JEE-2024), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) subject to fulfilment of the eligibility criteria and reservation.
The total fee structure for M.Arch at SPA New Delhi is iNR 2,64,000 for 2 years.
SPA New Delhi does not accept NATA scores for admission to any of its courses. Admissions to the courses are based on UCEED, GATE, JEE Mains examinations.
SPA Delhi conducts its own counseling for admission in the B.Arch program. Students with valid JEE Mains score can register themselves and attend the counseling conducted by the university.
The fee structure is available at 011 2370 2382.
The form for B.Arch was also released along with JEE Mains and the last to apply for the same was January 12th 2023.
No, there is no specific reservation for Kashmiri Pandits in SPA, Delhi. The reservation is only given on the basis of your caste category.
SPA New Delhi provides hostel facilities for both boys and girls with annual fee ranging from INR 36k – INR 47k. Also, you can check out the scholarship detail at SPA New Delhi Scholarship.
How can I contact you?
You can contact the School of Planning and Architecture at these numbers +91 011 - 2370 2375 and 2370 2376. The address of the school is 4-Block-B, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi 110002.