PGETA 2026: The COA M.Arch Entrance, Decoded

PGETA is the Post Graduate Entrance Test in Architecture, the unified national-level entrance test for M.Arch and other postgraduate architecture programs in India, conducted by the Council of Architecture (COA). PGEAT is a common misspelling of the same exam. All registrations and references should use PGETA.

You need a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree from a COA-approved institution with at least 50% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA). Final-year B.Arch students can apply, with admission contingent on passing their B.Arch. There is no upper age limit.

Three test dates: Test 1 on May 31, 2026; Test 2 on June 14, 2026; Test 3 on June 28, 2026. All tests run from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Final results are declared on July 7, 2026. Candidates may attempt all three; the best score is retained for admission.

PGETA 2026 is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of 2 hours (120 minutes) with 100 questions across four modules: Architecture and Design (64 Q), Building Sciences and Applied Engineering (14 Q), Professional Electives (6 Q), and Professional Ability and Skill Enhancement (16 Q). The exam is conducted in English at designated centres in major Indian cities.

Yes. You may attempt up to all three test dates in the same cycle. The best score among your attempts is automatically considered. Each attempt requires a separate fee payment.

Per attempt: General and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates pay Rs 1,750. SC, ST, EWS, and PwD candidates pay Rs 1,250. Transgender candidates pay Rs 1,000. Payment is online via debit card, credit card, or net banking.

PGETA 2026 is held at designated CBT centres across major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, Lucknow, Jaipur, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Kochi, and 60+ additional cities. You select preferred cities during registration; the final centre is allocated by the conducting body. PGETA is not a from-home online test.

Broad areas: architectural theory and history, urban design and planning, climate-responsive and sustainable design, building construction systems, building services and environmental technologies, professional practice and ethics, and research and documentation. The detailed syllabus is published in the official PGETA Information Brochure on the COA and PGETA portals.

Yes. The Council of Architecture awards a scholarship of Rs 50,000 over two years (Rs 25,000 per year) to the top 100 PGETA scorers, conditional on securing admission in a COA-approved institution and meeting academic criteria during the M.Arch program.

COA lists approximately 132 approved Master of Architecture programs (as of 2022-23). Notable accepting institutions include Chandigarh College of Architecture, KRVIA Mumbai, Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Rizvi College of Architecture, and Nirma University. Always verify current acceptance with your target program before relying on a score.

A PGETA 2026 score is valid for the 2026-2027 admission cycle. Validity beyond one cycle is at the discretion of the participating institution.

NATA is for Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) admissions, eligibility is class 12 pass with Mathematics, and it emphasises drawing and design aptitude. PGETA is for Master of Architecture (M.Arch) admissions, eligibility is a B.Arch with at least 50%, and it emphasises architectural theory, building science, and research aptitude. Both are conducted by the Council of Architecture but serve different admission stages.