B.Arch Admission Guide 2026 for Foreign Nationals

The B.Arch degree from India is becoming really famous among international students. Some of the finest architecture colleges in India, such as IITs, NITs, and SPAs, offer standards of education that can really compete with any Western country at a fraction of the cost. If you're a foreign national, NRI, OCI, or PIO cardholder who wants to study architecture in India, the admission procedure is really simple once you get through the steps: the Government of India has introduced special schemes like DASA for the easy entrance of international students to study in India without having to suffer through the normal competitive exams Indian students would need to take.

Who is Eligible as a Foreign National?

Before applying, you need to understand which category you fall under. Foreign nationals are actual passport holders from other countries, NRIs who are Indian citizens but live abroad, OCI cardholders, and PIO cardholders. An OCI cardholder is someone who has obtained Overseas Citizenship of India status, while PIO is a Person of Indian Origin. Different procedures are followed for each category while applying for admission, so identifying your status correctly is quite important.

Eligibility Criteria for B.Arch Admission 2026 for Foreign National Students

Most colleges providing architecture education in India have a standard requirement for admissions. These are what are required for a student to be eligible:

Admission Pathways for Foreign Nationals

In India, there are two broad avenues for foreign nationals seeking admission to B.Arch courses. The first avenue is through the DASA scheme, which stands for Direct Admission of Students Abroad. The DASA scheme is specifically designed for foreign nationals, NRIs, OCIs, or PIOs seeking admission to NITs, IIITs, SPAs, and other centrally funded technical institutions. For admission to B.Arch. by DASA, a valid JEE Main Paper 2 rank is required. Approximately fifteen percent of total seats are reserved as supernumerary seats for foreign students.

The other route is for each university to permit foreign nationals admission into their B.Arch programs, with many private universities and deemed universities setting up their very own admission criteria for international students. Some have chosen to accept NATA scores, while others may administer university-specific entrance examinations, or may come to the decision based on 12th-grade marks.

DASA Scheme Details for 2026

In India, there are two broad avenues for foreign nationals seeking admission to B.Arch courses. The first avenue is through the DASA scheme, which stands for Direct Admission of Students Abroad. The DASA scheme is specifically designed for foreign nationals, NRIs, OCIs, or PIOs seeking admission to NITs, IIITs, SPAs, and other centrally funded technical institutions. For admission to B.Arch. by DASA, a valid JEE Main Paper 2 rank is required. Approximately fifteen percent of total seats are reserved as supernumerary seats for foreign students.

The other route is for each university to permit foreign nationals admission into their B.Arch programs, with many private universities and deemed universities setting up their very own admission criteria for international students. Some have chosen to accept NATA scores, while others may administer university-specific entrance examinations, or may come to the decision based on 12th-grade marks.

List of Documents Required for B.Arch Application

When you keep documents ready before applying, it saves a lot of time and stress in the application procedure itself. Make sure all documents are scanned in proper format and at the size mentioned by the application portal.

Step-by-Step Application Process for Foreign Students

Starting from January, the application timeline is subject to a series of different counseling rounds to proceed until July. It's necessary to carefully follow every step and stick to the deadlines.

Top Architecture Colleges Accepting Foreign Nationals

There are a number of top colleges in India that offer courses in architecture and admit foreign students. Government institutions are generally offering better value, while private universities can be flexible in terms of admission.

With the right combination of planning and preparation, getting into a B.Arch program in India as a foreign national is definitely possible. The DASA scheme has made it comparatively easier because, earlier, options for international students were limited. Just be sure to get an early start in preparing for the JEE Main exam, have all of your documentation in order, and submit your applications on time. The architecture colleges in India offer a superb education for a lesser amount of money, and your degree will be recognized across the globe. All the best for your architectural journey in India!