The Architects Act came into force in 1972 to regulate the architectural profession in India and protect the public from unqualified individuals posing as architects. The Act established the Council of Architecture (COA) which maintains a register of qualified architects, sets regulations for architectural education and practice, and takes action against those violating the Act. The COA is comprised mainly of architects and oversees registration of qualified professionals, code of ethics, education standards, and enforcement of the Act.

1. Professional Practice
Professional Practice-
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Lecture
Lecture-
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Prof. Rajeev
Prof. Rajeev Kulkarni
Kulkarni
M. Arch., A.I.I.A.
M. Arch., A.I.I.A.
Architect
Architect

2. 
 Architects Act came into force in 1972
Architects Act came into force in 1972

 Applies to whole of India
Applies to whole of India

 Act to protect the general public from unqualified
Act to protect the general public from unqualified
persons posing as architects.
persons posing as architects.

 Purpose of act:
Purpose of act:

 Purpose of act:
Purpose of act:

 To prescribe minimum qualifications for carrying
To prescribe minimum qualifications for carrying
out architectural practice
out architectural practice

 To regulate architectural profession
To regulate architectural profession

 Indian Institute of Architects proposed to the
Indian Institute of Architects proposed to the
Government of India to enact this legislation.
Government of India to enact this legislation.
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Professional Practice for Architects in India by Prof. Rajeev Kulkarni, Architect

3.  Act provides for registration of all qualified persons as architects
 Act provides minimum qualifications for registration as architect
 Establishment of ‘Council of Architecture’
 COA given the task of
 Preparing and publishing a register of architects
 Providing regulations for the professional practice
 Act provides for registration of all qualified persons as architects
 Act provides minimum qualifications for registration as architect
 Establishment of ‘Council of Architecture’
 COA given the task of
 Preparing and publishing a register of architects
 Providing regulations for the professional practice
 Providing regulations for the professional practice
 Providing regulations for education of architects

 Taking action against architects or institutions which do not
Taking action against architects or institutions which do not
follow the norms
follow the norms

 Taking action against persons falsely using the title ‘Architect’
Taking action against persons falsely using the title ‘Architect’
 Providing regulations for the professional practice
 Providing regulations for education of architects

 Taking action against architects or institutions which do not
Taking action against architects or institutions which do not
follow the norms
follow the norms

 Taking action against persons falsely using the title ‘Architect’
Taking action against persons falsely using the title ‘Architect’
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Professional Practice for Architects in India by Prof. Rajeev Kulkarni, Architect

4.  The Council of Architecture is formed almost entirely of Architects in
practice, education and in government service.
 It consists of:
 Five Architects elected from members of the Indian Institute of
Architects
 Two persons nominated by All India Council of Technical Education
 Five members elected from heads of architectural institutions in India
 The Council of Architecture is formed almost entirely of Architects in
practice, education and in government service.
 It consists of:
 Five Architects elected from members of the Indian Institute of
Architects
 Two persons nominated by All India Council of Technical Education
 Five members elected from heads of architectural institutions in India
 Five members elected from heads of architectural institutions in India
 Chief Architects in the Ministries of the Central Government -
Defence, Railways and CPWD
 One person nominated by the Central Government;
 An architect from each State nominated by the Government of that
State
 Two persons nominated by the Institution of Engineers (India)
 One person nominated by the Institution of Surveyors of India
 Five members elected from heads of architectural institutions in India
 Chief Architects in the Ministries of the Central Government -
Defence, Railways and CPWD
 One person nominated by the Central Government;
 An architect from each State nominated by the Government of that
State
 Two persons nominated by the Institution of Engineers (India)
 One person nominated by the Institution of Surveyors of India
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Professional Practice for Architects in India by Prof. Rajeev Kulkarni, Architect

5.  Code of Practice for Architects
 Describes ethics to be followed in practice- role and responsibilities of
architects in practice
 Comprehensive architectural services and charges
 Describes in detail services provided by architects and fees chargeable
 Describes to duties and responsibilities of architect and client/owner
Architectural Competitions
 Architectural Competitions
 Describes various kinds of architectural competitions, role of
promoters, participants and COA
 Minimum Standards for Architectural education
 Describes syllabus, minimum qualifications for teachers, and
minimum infrastrucural requirement to conduct the course of
architecture
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Professional Practice for Architects in India by Prof. Rajeev Kulkarni, Architect

6.  Advising the state and central government of issues related to
architecture
 Promotion of research in architecture
 Teachers Training Programme
 Conducting programmes for continuing education of architects
 Organizing workshops for specific issues – barrier free architecture,
norms of design for earthquake resistance, disaster management etc.
Conducting NATA and process of admission to architecture course
 Conducting NATA and process of admission to architecture course
 Competitions for architectural students - Architectural Thesis
 Enforce norms for architectural practice by taking action against
defaulting architects- based on complaints received
 Enforce norms for architectural institution by regular inspection of
architectural institutions and taking action against defaulting institutions
 Taking action against violation of Architects Act and misuse of title
‘Architect’
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Professional Practice for Architects in India by Prof. Rajeev Kulkarni, Architect

7.  Eligibility
 A person who has obtained any one of the following qualifications
listed in the Architects Act can apply for registration :
 A Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from a State/Central University
or any institute authorized by State/Central Government .
 A five year Diploma in Architecture awarded by Institutions listed in
the Act.
the Act.
 A degree in architecture awarded by any one of the foreign
universities/institutions listed in the Architects Act
 A membership of the Indian Institute of Architects.
 Process
 Application to be made to COA in prescribed format, with copies of
Degree Certificate and Mark-lists for all five years along-with requisite
payment
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Professional Practice for Architects in India by Prof. Rajeev Kulkarni, Architect

8.  Architects registered with COA allowed to practice anywhere in
India.
 Only persons registered with the Council of Architecture can use
the title ‘Architect’
 Architectural firms can have only registered architects as partners
 Only registered architects eligible for a post of ‘architect’ in state,
central government, semi-government or aided institution.
Only registered architects eligible for a post of ‘architect’ in state,
central government, semi-government or aided institution.
 All registered architects legally bound to follow the norms by
COA – violation may lead to cancellation of registration.
 Use of title ‘Architect’ without registration or false claim about
registration is punishable under the Act – effectively eliminates
unfair competition by unqualified persons.
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Professional Practice for Architects in India by Prof. Rajeev Kulkarni, Architect

9.  Architects play a key role in the construction sector – providing
appropriate design for the health and safety of the inhabitants as well as
ensuring safety and durability of construction by providing appropriate
specifications and supervising the execution of the project.
 It is therefore important that those who practice architecture, have
requisite knowledge and training in the field – hence a regulation for
minimum standards of architectural education is required.
 Architects as professionals need also to be governed by an ethical code of
practice (like other professionals) as their decisions affect the health and
safety of public.
 A statutory organization is needed to carry out these functions, hence the
formation of Council of Architecture in the Architects Act.
 Architects Act, thus seeks to regulate architectural education and
architectural practice – to safeguard the interest of general public.
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Professional Practice for Architects in India by Prof. Rajeev Kulkarni, Architect