Architects in India: Council of Architecture register

What the architect does

An architect designs a building, prepares drawings, and often supervises the work. In a home purchase you meet an architect when you build or renovate, when you want a second opinion on a plan, or when a drawing must be prepared for a submission to the local authority. For buying an existing home, the documents that matter first are legal: see buying a home in India and occupancy and completion certificate.

What the law says

All the text below comes from the Act as published on the Council’s website, which we read on 14 October 2026.

• The register (section 23). The Central Government has the register of architects for India prepared, and “The Council shall upon its constitution assume the duty of maintaining the register”. The register includes, among other particulars, the architect’s full name, date of birth, nationality and residential address, and the qualification and its date.
• Effect of registration (section 35(1)). “Any reference in any law for the time being in force to an architect shall be deemed to be a reference to an architect registered under this Act.”
• False claim of registration (section 36). A person whose name is not in the register who “falsely represents that it is so entered” is “punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees”.
• The title (section 37(1)). “no person other than a registered architect, or a firm of architects shall use the title and style of architect”. The proviso does not apply to a person designated “landscape architect” or “naval architect”, nor to a person practising outside India who “undertakes the function as a consultant or designer in India for a specific project with the prior permission of the Central Government”.
• Penalty (section 37(2)). On first conviction, a fine “which may extend to five hundred rupees”; on a later conviction, imprisonment “which may extend to six months or with fine not exceeding one thousand rupees or with both”.
• Prosecution (section 39). No court takes cognizance of an offence under the Act “except upon complaint made by order of the Council or a person authorised in this behalf by the Council”.

Section 37, as we read it, concerns the title. It does not say in terms that every design or building drawing must be made by a registered architect, and we do not state any wider rule. Whether a local authority accepts a plan from a given professional is set by that authority; ask it.

How to check an architect

1. Ask the architect for the COA registration number (a “CA Reg. No.”), and for the name of the firm if you deal with a firm.
2. Open the COA page coa.gov.in/ver_arch.php?lang=1, “Verify Your Architect”.
3. Type the number in the “CA Reg. No.” field. The page shows the format: “CA/XXXX/XXXXX CA/1975/Reg.No.”.
4. Copy the security code shown in the picture into the box. The code is case-sensitive, and an icon, “Re-Generate Security Code”, gives a new picture.
5. Compare the result with the name on the contract and on the drawings.

The page searches by registration number; we saw no search by name. If the architect cannot give a number, you cannot check the registration on this page. The home page of the COA also lists “File Complaint against an Architect” and “Concerns About Misuse of Title and Style of Architect” for a complaint about a person who uses the title without registration.

What the register’s page says about use

The verification page has no disclaimer and no terms of use: it shows the form, the format example and the security code, nothing else. The security code is meant for a person typing a single number, so Payotte does not automate it, does not copy the register and does not list architects. We did not find a terms page on the pages we read, so we state no rule about reuse of the data.

Which professional to consult

A property lawyer (advocate) can read the architect’s agreement and check the title of the plot (see property lawyers). A registered valuer values a built property (see registered valuers). Your lender can tell you which stage certificates it requires on a construction loan: see home loan lenders.

Questions to ask

• What is your COA registration number?
• Are you an individual or a firm, and who will sign the drawings?
• What is included in the fee, and what is charged separately?
• Who handles the submission to the local authority, and how long does it usually take?
• Who is responsible if the authority asks for a revision?