School of Planning and Architecture

What is School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi?

The School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi is a government, fully autonomous institution and a Category-1 Deemed-to-be-University devoted exclusively to architecture, planning and design education. Established in 1941 and granted Deemed University status in 1979, it is located on a roughly 30-acre campus at Indraprastha (IP) Estate in central New Delhi. Funded by the Ministry of Education and recognised by the UGC and AICTE (with NAAC accreditation), SPA Delhi is best known for being India's premier dedicated planning-and-architecture school, consistently ranking among the top architecture institutions in the country (NIRF Architecture Rank #8 in 2025 and Rank #5 in 2024).

Unlike multi-disciplinary engineering universities, SPA Delhi specialises across nine departments covering architecture, urban and regional planning, transport planning, environmental planning, housing, urban design, architectural conservation, landscape architecture and industrial design - making it the reference point for built-environment education in India.

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.

Why Choose School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi?

SPA Delhi stands out for reasons that are specific to this institution, not generic claims:

• Top-tier dedicated rankings: SPA Delhi was ranked #8 in NIRF Architecture 2025 (score 65.11) and #5 in NIRF Architecture 2024 (score 69.00), and was placed #3 in the Outlook Architecture ranking 2024 - among the highest for any specialised planning-and-architecture school.
• Flagship five-year B.Arch: Its 5.0-year Bachelor of Architecture, admitting through JEE Main, is one of the most sought-after architecture degrees in India and the gateway programme that built the school's reputation.
• Unmatched programme depth: Beyond architecture, SPA Delhi runs 10 postgraduate programmes and PhD work across nine departments - urban, regional, transport and environmental planning, housing, urban design, conservation, landscape and industrial design - a breadth few peers can match.
• Policy-grade recruiters: Recruiters and collaborators include the World Bank Group, NITI Aayog, NIUA, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, Ernst & Young, AECOM India and WSP India, reflecting strong demand from planning, consulting and public-policy employers.
• Near-universal placement: 98.00% of students were placed in the 2025 cycle, with a highest package of ₹20,00,000 (₹20 LPA) - exceptional for a niche, design-led institution.
• Central-Delhi location: Its IP Estate campus sits beside national ministries and planning agencies, giving students direct access to live policy and urban-development projects.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions: School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi Overview 2026

Is School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi a good college?

Yes, SPA Delhi is among India's best architecture institutions. It was ranked #8 in NIRF Architecture 2025 (score 65.11), #5 in NIRF Architecture 2024 (score 69.00) and #3 in the Outlook Architecture ranking 2024. As a government Category-1 deemed university established in 1941, it offers modest fees, strong recruiter access through bodies like the World Bank Group and NITI Aayog, and a 98.00% placement rate in 2025, making it a top choice for architecture and planning aspirants.

What is School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi known for?

SPA Delhi is known as India's premier institution dedicated exclusively to architecture, planning and design. Founded in 1941, it specialises across nine departments covering architecture, urban, regional, transport and environmental planning, housing, urban design, conservation, landscape architecture and industrial design. Its central New Delhi (IP Estate) campus and links to national policy bodies give it a unique reputation in built-environment education, reflected in its NIRF Architecture Rank #8 in 2025.

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.

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.

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.

What is the average and highest package at School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi?

In the 2025 placement cycle, SPA Delhi recorded a highest package of ₹20,00,000 (₹20 LPA) with 98.00% of students placed; the 2024 cycle also reported a highest package of ₹20,00,000. Recruiters include the World Bank Group, NITI Aayog, NIUA, PwC, Deloitte and KPMG, with strong demand from planning, consulting and public-policy employers for SPA's architecture and planning graduates.

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.