The School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), in New Delhi, stands as India's best institution for imparting education and conducting research in planning and architecture. SPA is among the leading schools of planning and architecture internationally by 2024. It features both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fields such as Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Transport Planning, Housing, and Environmental Planning. SPA is also the premier research center on sustainable urbanization, smart cities, geographic information systems, transport modelling, and urban ecology.
In 2024, SPA has over 2000 students and a faculty of 100 brilliant professors. The campus infrastructure has greatly expanded with dedicated buildings for all departments, 3D printing labs, design studios, and model lab with advanced IT technology. SPA’s placements are now more favourable because major planning consultancies and architecture firms have been recruiting final year students. In 2024, many alumnus will head urban reforms of Indian cities. With several MoUs with international institutes, SPA offers a chance of the student to have a global exposure by student exchange programs and collaborative research. SPA will use the latest technologies and pedagogical tools to do this and therefore be able to produce the next generation of urban planners and designers.
School of Planning and Architecture Highlights 2024
Category |
Highlights |
Year Founded |
1959 |
Type of Institute |
Public Institute specializing in urban planning, architecture and design |
Programs Offered |
Undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fields like Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Transport Planning and Infrastructure Planning, Environmental Planning, Housing, Urban Design, Conservation, Landscape Architecture, etc. |
Rankings |
One of India's top architecture schools, ranked high for its planning and architecture programs |
Campus |
Has its own campus located in New Delhi |
Student Body |
Over 1,000 students across various programs |
Faculty |
Highly qualified and experienced faculty recognized for their work in planning and architecture |
Collaborations |
Collaborates with institutes like School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal, CEPT University, IIT Delhi etc. Has international partnerships as well |
Placements |
Top recruiters include government organizations, urban planning authorities, architecture and infrastructure consultancies, real estate companies etc. |
School of Planning and Architecture Eligibility Criteria 2024
1. Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent exam with Mathematics as one of the subjects. Minimum marks in 10+2 may be mentioned as one of the criteria by some SPA colleges.
2. Entrance Exams: Candidates need to take the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) or JEE Paper 2 and must get the required minimum marks. Some of the SPA colleges accept NATA scores while the other ones take students based on JEE Paper 2 ranks.
3. Age Limit: Often, there is no specified minimum or maximum age restriction. Hence, the candidates appearing for 10+2 exam are also eligible to appear for NATA.
4. Subjects Required: Mathematics is compulsory at 10+2 grade level. Other subjects differ from one college to another, but most of the frequently required ones are Physics, Chemistry and English.
5. Percentage in Qualifying Exam: The eligibility criteria differs from college to college but the minimum aggregate percentage for general category students are 50-60% in most colleges. Reserved category is governed by relaxations as per the government norms.
6. Number of Attempts: The constraints on number of attempt for entrance tests like NATA and JEE have been set very lenient by most SPAs.
School of Planning and Architecture Courses Details 2024
SPA provides both residential undergraduate and postgraduate course in major areas including Urban Planning, Urban Design, Regional Planning, Transport Planning, Housing, Environmental Planning and so on. SPA has its main centre in New Delhi, one in Bhopal and two centres in Vijayawada and Hyderabad.
The undergraduate B.Planning program is the 5years long program and its semesters cover topics on planning theory, urban economics , transport planning, housing etc. Whereas, the 2year postgraduate programs in planning are M.Planning (Urban/Regional/Transport/Environmental Planning) and M.Tech Planning, the latter specializes in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Transport Planning etc. They provide graduate certificates and PhD educational opportunities.
Program |
Duration |
Fees (INR per annum) |
BArch |
5 years |
50,000-1,50,000 |
MArch (Urban Design) |
2 years |
50,000-1,00,000 |
MA (Urban and Regional Planning) |
2 years |
20,000-50,000 |
MUP (Master of Urban Planning ) |
2 years |
50,000-1,00,000 |
PhD |
3-5 years |
20,000-50,000 |
School of Planning and Architecture Admission Process 2024
1. Eligibility Criteria
Only those individuals who meet the SPA eligibility requirements in terms of educational qualification, age limit, and so on can apply to the program of their choice. This is different across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs.
2. Entrance Exams
For undergraduate programs, admissions will be through the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) score.
Regarding postgraduate programs, SPA administers its own national level examination called SPA Combined Aptitude Test (SPA-CAT). This exam performance is taken into account for shortlisting and selection.
3. Application Process
After eligibility determination, candidates will need to complete the application form in online mode within the prescribed period. Complete information, including documents and registration fees should be provided.
4. Selection Process
UG courses by NATA scores are shortlisted only and then counseling rounds.
For PG programs involved with SPA CAT, shortlisted candidates are screened through interviews and portfolio presentation before final admission decisions are made.
School of Planning and Architecture Placements 2024
The School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) is one of the premier architecture and planning institutes in India with a strong track record of student placements. Over 80% of students at SPA get placed every year at leading architecture, planning, construction and consultancy firms, real estate companies as well as government organizations. Some of the top companies that regularly hire SPA students include HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd, AECOM, RSP Design Consultants, Square One, Oracle, L&T ECC, Shapoorji Pallonji, Godrej Properties, and various government bodies like the TCPO, DMRC, NBCC, HUDCO among others offering roles in urban planning, architectural design, project management,and more.
Company Name |
HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd |
AECOM |
RSP Design Consultants |
Square One |
Oracle |
L&T ECC |
Shapoorji Pallonji |
Godrej Properties |
TCPO |
DMRC |
NBCC |
HUDCO |
School of Planning and Architecture Scholarships 2024
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility Criteria |
Benefits |
GATE Scholarship |
Open to GATE qualified postgraduate students |
Covers 50% of semester tuition fees |
Director's Merit Scholarship |
Top 3 rank holders in each BArch program batch based on previous year's marks |
100% tuition fee waiver for next academic year |
Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship |
BArch students with family income < Rs. 2.5 lakhs and minimum 75% marks in previous exams |
50% reduction in tuition fees |
economically Weaker Section Scholarship |
BArch students with family income < Rs. 1 lakh |
Full tuition fee waiver |