Overview
The School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi (SPA Delhi) is a premier public institution established in 1941, specializing in education and research in the fields of architecture, planning, design, and the built environment. Originally founded as a Department of Architecture under Delhi Polytechnic, it became an autonomous institution and was granted Deemed-to-be-University status in 1979. In recognition of its national and international eminence, it was declared an 'Institution of National Importance' under the School of Planning and Architecture Act, 2014, placing it among the foremost institutions of its kind in India. The institute offers undergraduate programmes (Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Planning), a wide range of postgraduate master's programmes in architecture, planning, design, and conservation, as well as doctoral (PhD) research programmes. With a strong focus on the holistic development of human habitat, SPA Delhi combines academic rigour with practical, studio-based learning. It is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the 'Architecture and Planning' category of the NIRF rankings. Located in the Indraprastha Estate in central New Delhi, the institute draws students from across the country through national entrance examinations such as JEE and its own admission processes. SPA Delhi is known for its specialized faculty, extensive library and research resources, and its influential role in shaping urban planning, architectural conservation, and design policy in India.
Courses Offered
Courses, Fees & Rankings at a Glance
SPA Delhi's portfolio runs from a five-year undergraduate architecture degree to specialised master's programmes and doctoral research. The table below summarises its flagship programmes with the indicative total programme fee, duration, key entrance exam and the school's headline NIRF Architecture rank, so applicants can compare cost and entry route at a glance. For detailed eligibility, seat matrix and year-wise cutoffs, see the dedicated Courses and Admission tabs.
The clear takeaway is value-for-money: as a government deemed university, SPA Delhi keeps fees modest, with the entire five-year B.Arch costing about ₹4,88,000 and two-year master's programmes around ₹2,18,000 - far below comparable private architecture schools. Note the differing entry routes: undergraduate admission hinges on JEE Main, while postgraduate entry runs through GATE, CEED or UGC NET depending on the programme.
| Programme | Duration | Indicative Total Fee | Key Entrance Exam | Top NIRF Architecture Rank |
|---|
| B.Arch | 5.0 years | ₹4,88,000 | JEE Main | #8 (2025), #5 (2024) |
| M.Arch | 2.0 years | ₹2,18,000 | GATE / CEED | #8 (2025), #5 (2024) |
| M.Des | 2.0 years | ₹2,18,000 | CEED | #8 (2025), #5 (2024) |
| PhD | Varies (full/part-time) | Not applicable / nominal | GATE / UGC NET / CEED | #8 (2025), #5 (2024) |
What courses does School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi offer?
SPA Delhi offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. At UG level it runs the 5.0-year B.Arch (admission via JEE Main) and B.Plan. At PG level it offers 10 programmes including the 2.0-year M.Arch (GATE/CEED) and 2.0-year M.Des (CEED), plus M.Plan specialisations. It also offers full-time and part-time PhD programmes across nine departments, admitting through GATE, UGC NET or CEED.
SPA Delhi Courses & Fees 2026
Bachelor's degree with minimum 55% aggregate
10+2 with minimum 50% marks (with Mathematics)
Bachelor's degree in Architecture with minimum 55% aggregate
Master's degree in relevant field with minimum 60% aggregate marks
| Course | Duration | Total Fees | Eligibility |
|---|
| M.Des Full Time | 2 Years | ₹218,000 | Bachelor's degree with minimum 55% aggregate |
| B.Arch Full Time | 5 Years | ₹488,000 | 10+2 with minimum 50% marks (with Mathematics) |
| M.Arch Full Time | 2 Years | ₹218,000 | Bachelor's degree in Architecture with minimum 55% aggregate |
| PhD Full Time | 5 Years | - | Master's degree in relevant field with minimum 60% aggregate marks |
Fees
What are the total fees at School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi?
SPA Delhi's fees are low because it is a government deemed university. The full five-year B.Arch programme costs approximately ₹4,88,000 in total, while the two-year M.Arch and two-year M.Des programmes each cost around ₹2,18,000. PhD programmes carry only nominal fees. These figures make SPA Delhi significantly more affordable than comparable private architecture schools offering similar programmes.
SPA Delhi Scholarships 2026
GATE-qualified students admitted to full-time M.Arch, M.Plan or M.Tech programmes at SPA Delhi. Requires a valid GATE score at admission and 8-10 hours of weekly assistantship work.
SC/ST students admitted to SPA Delhi (a notified institution) with family income within the prescribed ceiling, awarded on merit.
Students belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories enrolled at SPA Delhi.
SC, ST or OBC students at SPA Delhi whose annual family income is within the scheme limit (around Rs 2.5 LPA for OBC, higher for SC/ST).
Students from notified minority communities at SPA Delhi with annual family income not exceeding Rs 2.5 LPA and qualifying marks in the previous exam.
| Scholarship | Type | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|
| AICTE PG Scholarship (GATE) | Government | Rs 12,400 per month | GATE-qualified students admitted to full-time M.Arch, M.Plan or M.Tech programmes at SPA Delhi. Requires a valid GATE score at admission and 8-10 hours of weekly assistantship work. |
| Top Class Education Scholarship for SC/ST Students | Government | Full tuition fee plus living expenses | SC/ST students admitted to SPA Delhi (a notified institution) with family income within the prescribed ceiling, awarded on merit. |
| SC/ST Tuition Fee Waiver | Government | 50% tuition fee waiver | Students belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories enrolled at SPA Delhi. |
| Post Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC) | Government | Tuition fees plus maintenance allowance | SC, ST or OBC students at SPA Delhi whose annual family income is within the scheme limit (around Rs 2.5 LPA for OBC, higher for SC/ST). |
| Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minorities | Need_based | Tuition fees plus maintenance allowance | Students from notified minority communities at SPA Delhi with annual family income not exceeding Rs 2.5 LPA and qualifying marks in the previous exam. |
Admission Process
Placement & Admission Snapshot
In the 2025 placement cycle, SPA Delhi recorded a highest package of ₹20,00,000 (₹20 LPA) with 98.00% of eligible students placed; the 2024 cycle also reported a highest package of ₹20,00,000. Recruiters span planning, consulting and public-policy organisations including the World Bank Group, NITI Aayog, NIUA, PwC, Deloitte and KPMG, reflecting strong demand for SPA's architecture and planning graduates.
On admissions, the headline route is entrance-based, not pure merit. Undergraduate B.Arch and B.Plan seats are filled through JEE Main scores via JoSAA/DASA counselling, while postgraduate programmes select on national tests - M.Arch through GATE/CEED, M.Des through CEED, and PhD through GATE, UGC NET or CEED. The table below maps each flagship programme to its eligibility and accepted exams.
For applicants, the practical message is to target the right national exam early: a strong JEE Main rank is essential for the five-year B.Arch, whereas planning and design aspirants should plan around GATE and CEED. With only compact, specialised cohorts and a 98.00% (2025) placement rate, competition for SPA Delhi seats is intense and cutoffs are high.
| Programme | Eligibility | Accepted Entrance Exam(s) |
|---|
| B.Arch | 10+2 with minimum 50% marks (with Mathematics) | JEE Main |
| M.Arch | Bachelor's degree in Architecture with minimum 55% aggregate | GATE, CEED |
| M.Des | Bachelor's degree with minimum 55% aggregate | CEED |
| PhD | Master's degree in relevant field with minimum 60% aggregate marks | GATE, UGC NET, CEED |
Is admission to School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi merit or entrance based?
Admission to SPA Delhi is entrance-exam based. Undergraduate B.Arch and B.Plan seats are filled through JEE Main scores via JoSAA/DASA counselling. Postgraduate admission depends on the programme: M.Arch through GATE or CEED, M.Des through CEED, and PhD through GATE, UGC NET or CEED. Eligibility also requires minimum academic marks - for example, 50% in 10+2 with Mathematics for B.Arch and 55% in a relevant bachelor's degree for master's programmes.
Cutoffs
SPA Delhi Cutoff 2025
Top cutoff closing ranks and scores.
| Exam | Year | Closing Rank |
|---|
| JEE Main | 2025 | 158 |
| JEE Main | 2025 | 183 |
| JEE Main | 2025 | 185 |
| JEE Main | 2025 | 207 |
Rankings & Accreditation
What is the NIRF and NAAC status of School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi?
SPA Delhi was ranked #8 in NIRF Architecture 2025 with a score of 65.11, after holding Rank #5 in NIRF Architecture 2024 (score 69.00). It was also ranked #3 in the Outlook Architecture ranking 2024. The institution is a NAAC-accredited, UGC-recognised Category-1 Deemed-to-be-University approved by AICTE, confirming its standing as a leading government institution for architecture and planning.
SPA Delhi Rankings 2025
| Ranking Body | Category | Rank | Score | Year |
|---|
| NIRF | Architecture | #8 | 65.1 | 2025 |
| Outlook | Architecture | #3 | - | 2024 |
Location & Campus Details
Contact SPA Delhi
Address
4-Block-B, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi
Phone
+91 11 2370 2375
Email
Website
This page is published for informational purposes only. Always verify final details on the official institution website before making academic or financial decisions.
School of Planning and Architecture Key Facts (2026)
The table below summarises the institution-defining facts an aspirant should know before applying to SPA Delhi in 2026: when it was founded, its governance type, its approvals, the size of its central-Delhi campus and the breadth of its programmes. Read it top to bottom as a quick-reference profile; the figures here are expanded with fees, ranks and placement data in the sections that follow.
The standout takeaway is that SPA Delhi is a small, highly specialised public institution rather than a sprawling university. Its 1941 founding makes it one of India's oldest architecture schools, and its central New Delhi location places students at the heart of national policy bodies and planning agencies - a major advantage that feeds directly into its placement and research profile.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|
| Established | 1941 (Deemed University status granted in 1979) |
| Type | Government, autonomous Institution of National standing; Category-1 Deemed-to-be-University |
| Affiliation / Approvals | Ministry of Education (Govt. of India), UGC, AICTE; NAAC-accredited |
| Campus Size | Approx. 30 acres, Indraprastha (IP) Estate, New Delhi |
| Total Courses | UG (B.Arch, B.Plan), 10 PG programmes (M.Arch, M.Plan, M.Des etc.) and full/part-time PhD across 9 departments |
| NIRF Status (Architecture) | Rank #8 in 2025 (score 65.11); Rank #5 in 2024 (score 69.00) |
| Student Strength | Compact, specialised intake (e.g. 65 PhD seats across 9 departments; small UG/PG cohorts) |
About SPA Delhi
The School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi (SPA Delhi) is a premier public institution established in 1941, specializing in education and research in the fields of architecture, planning, design, and the built environment. Originally founded as a Department of Architecture under Delhi Polytechnic, it became an autonomous institution and was granted Deemed-to-be-University status in 1979. In recognition of its national and international eminence, it was declared an 'Institution of National Importance' under the School of Planning and Architecture Act, 2014, placing it among the foremost institutions of its kind in India. The institute offers undergraduate programmes (Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Planning), a wide range of postgraduate master's programmes in architecture, planning, design, and conservation, as well as doctoral (PhD) research programmes. With a strong focus on the holistic development of human habitat, SPA Delhi combines academic rigour with practical, studio-based learning. It is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the 'Architecture and Planning' category of the NIRF rankings. Located in the Indraprastha Estate in central New Delhi, the institute draws students from across the country through national entrance examinations such as JEE and its own admission processes. SPA Delhi is known for its specialized faculty, extensive library and research resources, and its influential role in shaping urban planning, architectural conservation, and design policy in India.
Sources and Verification
Information last reviewed on 25 Jun 2026.
Fees, cutoffs, admission steps, placements, and programme details can change. Always cross-check the latest institutional or authority notice before acting.