The Architects

Act, 1972

Submitted by :
Rupal Gupta A19040120
Sahiba Goswami A19040120
Deeksha Jain A1904012092
Mayank Katyal A19040120
Harsha Goel A1904012104
Jagriti Chawla A1904012105

COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE
A Statutory body constituted byMinistry of Human
Resource Development, Government of India, under
the Architects Act.
Came into force on1st September 1972 and has the following
objectives:
1. To prepare a register of qualified Architects on the basis of
a schedule of approved qualifications to safeguard the
interest of common man.
2. To regulate the profession of Architects by evolving a
"Code of Ethics" and by laying down minimum standards of
architectural education in India.
To achieve these objectives, a statutory body known as
"Council ofArchitecture" (COA) hasbeen created.

ROLE OF COA
The Act provides for
registration ofArchitects
standards of education
recognized qualifications
standards of practice to be complied with bythe
practicing architects.
Any person desirous of carrying on the profession of
'Architect 'must have registered himself with Council of
Architecture. For the purpose of registration, one must
possess the requisite qualification as appended to the
Architects Act, after having undergone the education in
accordance with the Council ofArchitecture (Minimum
Standards of Architectural Education)Regulations,1983.

CONSTITUTION OF COUNCIL
OFARCHITECTURE
The Central Government, by notification in the Official
Gazette, with effect from such date as specified in the
notification, a Council to be known as the Council of
Architecture, which shall be a body corporate, having
perpetual succession and a common seal, with power
to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable
and immovable, and to contract, and may by that
name sue or be sued.
The Head Office of the Council shall beat Delhi or at
such other place as the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, specify.

MEMBERS
The Council shall consist of the following members, namely five architects possessing recognized qualifications elected by
the Indian Institute of Architects from among its members.
Two persons nominated by the All India Council for Technical
Education.
Five persons elected by heads ofarchitectural institutions in
India imparting full-time instruction for recognized qualifications.
The Chief Architects in the Ministries of the Central
Government relating to defense and railways and the head of the
Architectural Organization in the Central Public Works
Department, ex official.
One person nominated by the Central Government.
An architect from each State nominated by the Government of
that State.
Two person nominated by the Institution ofEngineers (India)
from among its members.
One person nominated by the Institution ofSurveyors of

Executive Committee and other

Committees
The Council shall constitute from among its
members, an Executive Committee, and may also
constitute other committees for such general or
special purposes as the Council deems necessary to
carry out its functions under this Act.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the
President and the Vice-President of the Council who
shall be members ex-officio and five other members
who shall be elected by the Council from among its
members.
The President and the Vice-President of the Council
shall be the Chairman and Vice-Chairman respective
ly of the Executive Committee.

MODE OF ELECTIONS

Elections shall be conducted in such manner as may be

prescribed by rules.
Where any dispute arises regarding any such election, the
matter shall be referred by the Council to a Tribunal
appointed by the Central Government by notification in the
Official Gazette in this behalf, and the decision of the
Tribunal shall be final provided that no such reference shall
be made except on an application made to the Council by
an aggrieved party within thirty days from the date ofthe
declaration of the result of the election.
The expenses of the Tribunal shall be borne by the Council.

President and Vice President of, Council

The President and the Vice-President of the
Council shall be elected by the members of the
Council from among themselves:
Provided that on the first constitution of the
Council and until the President is elected, a
member of the Council nominated by the Central
Government in this behalf shall discharge the
functions of the President.
An elected President or Vice-President of the
Council shall hold office for a term of three years
or till he ceases to be a member of the Council, he
shall be eligible for re-election.

Non eligibility for election

A person shall not be eligible for election or
nomination as a member of the Council, if he
is an un discharged insolvent; or
Has been convicted by a court in India for any
offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less
than two years and shall continue to be ineligible for
a further period of five years since his release.

Terms of casual vacancy

A member shall be deemed to have vacated his seat:
If he is absent without excuse, sufficient in the opinion of the
Council from three consecutive ordinary meetings of the
Council; or
A casual vacancy in the Council shall be filled by fresh
election or nomination, as the case may be and the person so
elected or nominated to fill the vacancy shall hold office only
for the remainder of the term for which the member whose
place he takes was elected or nominated.

Members of the Council shall be eligible for reelection or re-nomination, but not exceeding three
consecutive terms.

Function and Powers of Council

Appoint registrar and such other officers and employees as are

necessary to carry
out its functions.
To maintain proper account of finance.
To maintain a registrar of architects registered under the Act,
on payment of
prescribed fees by the architect and to renew the registration
from time-to-time.
Remove the name of the architect from the register either on his
own application
or when he is dead or on account of other moral turpitudes.
To enquire into matters relating to misconduct.
To furnish reports, copies of minutes and the other information
to Central Govt.
Issue of registration certificate and also duplicates if necessary.

Powers of Council
To acquire, hold and dispose of the property both movable and immovable.
To enter into a contract.
To sue or be sued.
Powers to appoint inspectors to inspect any college or institution where
architectural education is given or to attend any examination conducted by
such bodies for the purpose of recommending to the Central Government,
recognition of architectural qualifications granted by such bodies.
Powers of withdrawing of recognition under certain circumstances and
prescribing minimum standard of architectural education.
To prescribe standards of professional conduct and etiquette and a code of
ethics for the architects.
Powers to make regulations.

Note: by virtue of section 25(b) those persons who were engaged in practice as
architect for a period of not less than 5 years are also entitled to get
their
names entered in the register on payment of necessary fees.

Qualifications for Registration

Section 14 read with schedule prescribes the following qualifications for the
purpose of registration:

1.Bachelor of architects

Degree awarded by Indian Universities established by an Act of Central or

State Legislature; by Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

2.Diplomas in Architecture
National Diploma by All Indian Council for Technical Education
Five year full time diploma of Sir J.J School of Art, Bombay, after 1941.
i) of State Board of Technical Education and Training of Andhra Pradesh with
effect from 1960;
ii) Diploma of Government College of Arts and Architecture, Hyderabad, till
1959 subject to condition that candidates concerned have passed special
final examination held by State Board of Andhra Pradesh as given above.
) Of University of Nagpur with effect from 1965.
) Of Government of Maharashtra.
) Of Kalabhavan Technical Institute, Baroda.
) School of Architecture, Ahmadabad.

REGISTRATION OF
ARCHITECTS
The registration with Council of Architecture entitles
a person to practice the profession of architecture,
provided he holds a Certificate of Registration with
up-to-date renewals. The registration also entitles a
person to use the title and style of Architect.
The title and style of architect can also be used by a
firm of architects, of which all partners are registered
with COA
If any person falsely claims to be registered or
misuses title and style of architect, such acts
tantamount to committing of a criminal offence,
which is punishable under section 36 or 37 (2) of the
Architects Act, 1972.