The architecture course will undergo some reforms this year. On 11 August, the Council of Architecture released the Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations for 2020.

According to the new norms, students can now leave the course at the end of three years; the university will award an appropriate degree.

A choice-based credit system has been introduced with practical hands-on or heuristic training in the eighth and ninth semesters. Particular emphasis will be placed on hands-on learning, with tours to cultural and historic sites. There will also be an exchange programme with national and international universities.

The new regulation aims to bridge the gap between the industry and academia.

The admission process will be based on 50-50 weightage of marks obtained in 10+2 and the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA).

The new regulation is in line with the National Education Policy 2020 that was launched recently, insomuch that it offers a multi-disciplinary approach in the courses offered. The new regulation also offers a semester-exchange option.

Another major aspect of the reform is that the faculty members associated with architecture programmes can now practise and research privately. Teacher-training is now compulsory: all teachers must be trained before they join a course. The pay scale will be followed according to the directives of the government.