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Architect
Design & CreativeBArch + COA registration. Practice routes: firms, in-house, independent practice.
What they actually do
Architects design buildings — residential, commercial, institutional, urban planning. Work spans design firms, in-house roles at developers, independent practice (most successful long-term).
A typical day
- Concept + schematic design
- Drafting (AutoCAD, Revit)
- Client + contractor meetings
- Site visits + supervision
- BOQ + tender documentation
How to become a Architect
2 viable paths.
Class 12 (PCM) → NATA / JEE Main Paper II → BArch (5 yr)
NATA or JEE Main Paper II for admission. SPA Delhi, CEPT Ahmedabad, IIT Roorkee, IIT Kharagpur are top.
BArch → MArch (Urban Design / Landscape)
Specialisation.
Qualifications
- BArch (5 years)
- Council of Architecture registration
Skills that matter
- Design fundamentals + 3D modelling
- AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp
- Building codes + bye-laws
- Client + project management
Salary bands by experience
Wide bands — real salary depends on city, employer, performance. Pick the midpoint for planning.
- Fresher₹2.5 - ₹6 LPA
- 5-10 yr₹6 - ₹15 LPA
- Senior + own practice₹15 - ₹60 LPA+
Boutique practice partners in metros earn ₹40L+; volume practice less.
Career growth + employers
Junior Arch → Architect → Senior Architect → Principal Architect / Own Firm
Honest pros + cons
Pros
- Creative + functional satisfaction
- Own practice viable + scalable
- Real estate boom benefit
Cons
- Long 5-year degree
- Pay below engineering for first 5 years
- Real estate cyclicality
Demand outlook
Strong with urbanisation + smart-city + housing. Specialisations (urban design, sustainability, heritage) high-value.