NAVIGATING YOUR FUTURE (2025–26): CHOOSING THE RIGHT INSTITUTE IN INDIA BASED ON NIRF 2024 RANKINGS

By Editor

As the academic session 2025–26 approaches, thousands of students across India are preparing to embark on a career in architecture and planning—a field that shapes the future of our built environment. With numerous institutions offering programs in this domain, selecting the right college is not only a matter of preference but a strategic decision that significantly impacts one's academic and professional trajectory.

To guide aspiring students through this critical phase, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), an initiative by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, provides a comprehensive, annual ranking of higher education institutions across disciplines. The NIRF Architecture and Planning 2024 rankings are a reliable reference point for students to evaluate institutions based on objective performance metrics.

UNDERSTANDING NIRF AND ITS RELEVANCE

The NIRF rankings are based on five key performance indicators:

1. Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR) – Infrastructure, faculty strength, qualifications, and learning environment.

2. Research and Professional Practice (RP) – Publications, innovation, and professional practice output.

3. Graduation Outcomes (GO) – Student success rates in terms of placement, higher education, and entrepreneurship.

4. Outreach and Inclusivity (OI) – Representation across regions, gender, and socio-economic groups.

5. Perception (PR) – Employer, academic, and public perception of the institution.

   
   

These rankings reflect not only academic excellence but also how inclusive and future-ready an institution is.

TOP 10 ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING INSTITUTES IN INDIA (NIRF 2024)

Based on NIRF's 2024 data, here are the top-ranked institutions in the Architecture and Planning category:

1. IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand – Score: 84.92

2. IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal – Score: 80.71

3. NIT Calicut, Kerala – Score: 79.51

4. IIEST Shibpur, West Bengal – Score: 69.71

5. School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi – Score: 69.00

6. CEPT University, Gujarat – Score: 67.23

7. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi – Score: 66.21

8. NIT Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu – Score: 65.08

9. NIT Rourkela, Odisha – Score: 64.88

10. VNIT Nagpur, Maharashtra – Score: 63.05

    
    

These institutions are widely recognized for their rigorous academics, research output, and graduate success.

ADMISSION PATHWAYS: HOW TO GET IN

To pursue architecture or planning in India, Aspiring students typically need to clear one or more of the following entrance exams:

• JEE Advanced – Required for B.Arch admissions at IIT Roorkee and IIT Kharagpur.

• JEE Main (Paper 2) – For admission to B.Arch/B.Planning courses at NITs, SPAs, and other centrally funded institutes.

• NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) – Accepted by many private and state architecture colleges across India.

Students must stay updated on application deadlines, eligibility criteria, and counselling processes through official portals and college websites.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT INSTITUTE: KEY FACTORS TO CONSIDER

While rankings are an essential benchmark, students should evaluate colleges holistically. Here are five essential criteria:

1. Academic Reputation and CurriculumDoes the institution offer a comprehensive, updated curriculum with exposure to emerging trends such as sustainability, urbanism, climate-resilient design, GIS, or participatory planning and digital design?

2. Infrastructure facilities and ExposureArchitecture and planning education require robust infrastructure—labs, libraries, design studios, and field exposure. Are there design studios, workshops, live project opportunities, and international exchange programs?

3. Location and Campus LifeConsider the geographical location, opportunities for internships, and access to real-world projects and cultural heritage.

4. Placement and Higher Studies RecordEvaluate the average placement packages, firms recruiting from the campus, and alumni pursuing postgraduate studies nationally and abroad. Strong alumni networks often lead to better placements, mentorship, and collaborations.

5. Affordability and ScholarshipsPublic institutions like IITs and NITs often offer high ROI due to low tuition and excellent placements. Private colleges may have higher fees, but many offer merit-based scholarships. Compare tuition fees, cost of living, and availability of scholarships or financial aid.

THE ROLE OF FACULTY AND STAFF: ARCHITECTS OF THE ARCHITECT

While rankings and infrastructure are key indicators, it is the faculty and academic staff who truly shape the learning experience. In architecture and planning, where design thinking, critical analysis, and studio culture are central, mentors play an irreplaceable role.

• Faculty Expertise: Top institutions attract professors with global exposure, PhDs, industry experience, and specialization in niche areas such as urban design, sustainability, digital architecture, and policy planning.

• Studio Mentorship: Faculty guide students through design studios, often acting as collaborators in ideation, critique, and innovation. These daily interactions are vital for developing a student’s design philosophy.

• Research and Collaboration: Institutions with active faculty research programs offer students opportunities to participate in cutting-edge projects, internships, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

• Career Guidance and Networking: Experienced faculty members often help students connect with professionals, recommend them for internships, and prepare them for competitive postgraduate admissions.

Just as blueprints are essential for constructing buildings, engaged and knowledgeable faculty are essential for building a student’s professional foundation.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING

Graduates from top institutes are well-positioned for careers in:

·         Architecture, Urban design and Interior Design Firms

·         Urban and Regional Planning Organizations

·         Government Planning Departments

·         Sustainable and Green Building Design firms

·         Conservation and Heritage Management

·         Real Estate Development

·         Town and Country Planning Organizations

·         Government Agencies (CPWD, DDA, Municipal Corporations, MOHUA, NIUA etc.)

·         NGOs and Think Tanks focusing on urban policy, heritage, and environment

·         Research Institutions and Academia

·         International Practices and Development Agencies (UN-Habitat, World Bank)

Moreover, many alumni of premier institutions have gone on to pursue master’s degrees at prestigious global universities or have launched successful practices of their own.

The dynamic nature of architecture allows professionals to evolve as entrepreneurs, consultants, researchers, or policymakers.

EDITOR’S NOTE

In an era marked by rapid urbanization, climate change, and technological disruption, the role of Architects and Planners has never been more vital. As an editor covering the field of Architecture and Planning, I urge students not just to chase rankings, but to align their choice of college with their passion, long-term goals, and the kind of impact they wish to make in the world.

Choosing the right institution is not just about reputation—it's about resonance. Where will your ideas be nurtured? Where will your curiosity be challenged? Where will you find mentors who help you realize your vision?

The NIRF 2024 rankings are an excellent resource to begin this journey, but the real architecture of your future will be built through careful research, introspection, and interaction with institutions that align with your passion and values.

To view the full list of ranked institutions,

visit the official website: 🔗 NIRF 2024 – Architecture Rankings

At the Architecture & Planning Education Desk, our mission is to keep you informed, inspired, and empowered as you take the first step in shaping the world—brick by brick, idea by idea.