Council of Architecture Admission 2024-25, Process, NIRF Ranking, Course Highlights

COA - Council of Architecture

The Council of Architecture (CoA) has been constituted by the Government of India in the Ministry of Education under the provisions of the Architects Act, 1972, enacted by the Parliament of India, which came into force on 1st September, 1972. Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education is the nodal ministry / department of CoA. The Act provides for registration of Architects, standards of education, recognized qualifications and standards of practice to be complied with by the practicing architects. The Council of Architecture is charged with the responsibility to regulate the education and practice of profession throughout India besides maintaining the register of architects. For this purpose, the Government of India has framed Rules and Council of Architecture has framed Regulations as provided for in the Architects Act, with the approval of Government of India.

Any person desirous of carrying on the profession of 'Architect' must have registered himself with Council of Architecture. For the purpose of registration, one must possess the requisite qualification as appended to the Architects Act, after having undergone the education in accordance with the Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations, 2020. The registration with Council of Architecture entitles a person to practice the profession of architecture, provided he holds a Certificate of Registration with up-to-date renewals. The registration also entitles a person to use the title and style of Architect. The title and style of architect can also be used by a firm of architects, of which all partners are registered with COA. Limited Companies, Private/Public Companies, societies and other juridical persons are not entitled to use the title and style of architect nor are they entitled to practice the profession of architecture. If any person falsely claims to be registered or misuses title and style of architect, such acts tantamount to committing of a criminal offence, which is punishable under section 36 or 37 (2) of the Architects Act, 1972.

The practice of profession of an architect is governed by the Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989 (as amended in 2003), which deals with professional ethics and etiquette, conditions of engagement and scale of charges, architectural competition guidelines etc. Pursuant to these Regulations, the Council of Architecture has framed guidelines governing the various aspects of practice. An architect is required to observe professional conduct as stipulated in the Regulations of 1989 and any violation thereof shall constitute a professional misconduct, which will attract disciplinary action as stipulated under section 30 of the Architects Act, 1972.

There are 362 institutions, which impart architectural education in India leading to recognized qualifications. The standards of education being imparted in these institutions (constituent colleges/departments of universities, deemed universities, affiliated colleges/schools, IITs, NITs and autonomous institutions) is governed by Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations, 2020, which set forth the requirement of eligibility for admission, course duration, standards of staff & accommodation, course content, examination etc. These standards as provided in the said Regulations are required to be maintained by the institutions. The COA oversees the maintenance of the standards periodically by way of conducting inspections through Committees of Experts. The COA is required to keep the Central Government informed of the standards being maintained by the institutions and is empowered to make recommendations to the Government of India with regard to recognition and de-recognition of a qualification.

Renewal of Registration

Humanity leaves immortal echoes through history using the media of language, art, knowledge, and architecture.

Architecture is both the process and the product of planning, designing and constructing buildings and related environments that provides us with the physical space we live in. It gives concrete form to society.

It is a deep expression of human civilization of a particular era, it outlives its creators and endures as monuments, that following generations experience, and strive to study and understand.

Architecture serves thus, as a little time capsule of human history. It reveals to us human thoughts, ideals, even our fears and worries. It reflects our cultures, who we are, where we belong within society, how we understand and interpret Nature, Spiritual and Human Phenomena, how we see the World, and find our place in the cosmos.

Architecture (as described by Encyclopaedia Britannica), the art and technique of designing and building, is distinguished from the skills associated with Construction.

The practice of architecture is employed to fulfil both practical and expressive requirements, and thus, it serves both utilitarian and aesthetic ends.

It is a Profession, the Practice of which means to provide Services in connection with the design of buildings and the related environment / site that have human uses or occupation as their principal purpose.

Let us help strengthen our Council and thus strengthen our profession and ourselves. Council is you and you are the Council.

Together we can bring a difference.