UNIVESITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Kashmere Gate, Delhi

Course Code: AP-413

Course Title: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE-I
Assignment- 2

Report on:

ARCHITECTS ACT 1972

Submitted by:
ANKIT JAIN | GAURAV SEHRAWAT | JAY KUMAR | PANKIT SAINI | PRADEEP SINGH
05 April 2014

Architects Act 1972

DEFINITIONS
a) "Architect" means a person whose name is for the time being entered in the register by
COA.
b) "Council" means the Council of Architecture constituted under section 3.
c) "Indian Institute of Architects" means the Indian Institute of Architects registered under
the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
d) "Recognised qualification" means any qualification in architecture for the time being
included in the Schedule or notified under section 15.
e) "Register" means the register of architects maintained under section 23;
f) "Regulation" means a regulation made under this Act by the Council;
g) "Rule" means a rule made under this Act by the Central Government.

Architects Act 1972

CHAPTERS IN ARCHITECTS ACT

Chapter I: This chapter contains the short title of the Act- Architects Act. 1972 and
definitions of words such as Architect, Council of Architecture, Indian Institute of
Architects, etc.

Chapter II: This chapter deals with Council of Architecture, its office bearers, their
election, meetings of the Council, formation of committees, officers and staff of COA, its
finances, recognition of architectural qualifications and of architectural institutions.

Chapter III: This chapter deals with the procedure for registration of Architects,
preparation of Register, fees for initial registration, renewal, re-instatement, removal
from register, procedure for inquiries relating to misconduct etc.

Chapter IV: This chapter deals with matters such as penalty for claiming to be
registered, prohibition against the use of title "Architect", powers of Central
Government to make rules, power of Council to make regulations, etc.

Schedule: This schedule contains recognized Indian Degrees and Diplomas in

Architecture and some recognized qualifications in other countries.

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Architects Act 1972

What is Architects Act, 1972?

The main purpose of the architects act, 1972 as given in the preamble is to provide for the
registration of architects and for matters connected therewith. It has already come into force
and extends to the whole India. It contains 45 sections along with one schedule.
The act can briefly be studied under the following heads:

Use of title Architect

Council of Architecture

Qualification for Registration

Use of title Architect

A person is prohibited from using the title and the style of Architect unless he is a person
registered in the Register of Architects (section 37). This prohibition does not affect the use of
designation as Landscape Architect or Naval Architect.
Contravention will lead to fine on first conviction and on subsequent conviction with
imprisonment or fine or both (section 37(2)).
The Council of Architecture (COA) has been constituted by the Government of India under the
provisions of the Architects Act, 1972, enacted by the Parliament of India, which came into
force on 1st September, 1972. The Act provides for registration of Architects, standards of
education, recognized qualifications and standards of practice to be complied with by the
practicing architects. The Council of Architecture is charged with the responsibility to regulate
the education and practice of profession throughout India besides maintaining the register of
architects. For this purpose, the Government of India has framed Rules and Council of
Architecture has framed Regulations as provided for in the Architects Act, with the approval of
Government of India.
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
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Architects Act 1972

qualification as appended to the Architects Act, after having undergone the education in
accordance with the Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education)
Regulations, 1983. 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. Limited Companies, Private/Public Companies, societies and other juridical
persons are not entitled to use the title and style of architect nor are they entitled to practice
the profession of architecture.
This Act protects the title "Architect" but does not make the design, supervision and
construction of buildings as an exclusive responsibility of Architects. Other professionals like
Engineers may engage themselves in their normal vocation in respect of building construction
work provided they do not style themselves as Architects.
The practice of profession of an architect is governed by the Architects (Professional Conduct)
Regulations, 1989 (as amended in 2003), which deals with professional ethics and etiquette,
conditions of engagement and scale of charges, architectural competition guidelines etc.
Pursuant to these Regulations, the Council of Architecture has framed guidelines governing the
various aspects of practice. An architect is required to observe professional conduct as
stipulated in the Regulations of 1989 and any violation thereof shall constitute a professional
misconduct, which will attract disciplinary action as stipulated under section 30 of the
Architects Act, 1972.

Architects Act 1972

ROLE OF COA

The Council of Architecture (COA) has been constituted by the Government of India
under the provisions of the Architects Act, 1972, enacted by the Parliament of India,
which came into force on 1st September, 1972.

The Act provides for registration of :

o Architects
o Standards of education
o Recognized qualifications

Standards of practice to be complied with by the practicing architects.

The Council of Architecture is charged with the responsibility to regulate the education
and practice of profession throughout India besides maintaining the register of
architects.

For this purpose, the Government of India has framed Rules and Council of Architecture
has framed Regulations as provided for in the Architects Act, with the approval of
Government of India.

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 of Architecture (Minimum Standards of
Architectural Education) Regulations, 1983.

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. Limited Companies, Private/Public Companies,
societies and other juridical persons are not entitled to use the title and style of
architect nor are they entitled to practice the profession of architecture.

Architects Act 1972

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.

The practice of profession of an architect is governed by the Architects (Professional

Conduct) Regulations, 1989

Pursuant to these Regulations, the Council of Architecture has framed guidelines

governing the various aspects of practice.

An architect is required to observe professional conduct as stipulated in the Regulations

of 1989 and any violation thereof shall constitute a professional misconduct, which will
attract disciplinary action as stipulated under section 30 of the Architects Act, 1972.

There are 108 institutions, which impart architectural education in India leading to
recognized qualifications. The standards of education being imparted in these
institutions (constituent colleges/departments of universities, deemed universities,
affiliated colleges/schools, IITs, NITs and autonomous institutions) are governed by
Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education).

CONSTITUTION OF COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE

The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute, with
effect from such date as may be 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 be at Delhi or at such other place as the Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.

Architects Act 1972

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

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 established by
the Resolution of the Government of India in the late Ministry of Education NO.F. 1610/44-E.III, dated the 30th November, 1945.

Five persons elected from among themselves by heads of architectural institutions in

India imparting full-time instruction for recognized qualifications.

The Chief Architects in the Ministries of the Central Government to which the
Government business relating to defense and railways has been allotted 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 persons nominated by the Institution of Engineers (India) from among its members.

One person nominated by the Institution of Surveyors of India from among its members.

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, whichever is earlier, but subject to
his being a member of the Council, he shall be eligible for re-election.

Architects Act 1972

Provided that:

The President or the Vice-President may, by writing under his hand addressed to the
Vice-President or the President, as the case may be, resign his office.

The President or the Vice-President shall, notwithstanding the expiry of his term of
three years, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon office.

The President and the Vice-President of the Council shall exercise such powers and
discharge such duties as may be prescribed by regulations.

MODE OF ELECTIONS

Elections under this chapter 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 of the declaration of the result of
the election.

The expenses of the Tribunal shall be borne by the council.

TERMS OF OFFICE AND CASUAL VACANCIES

Subject to the provisions of this section, an elected or nominated member shall hold
office for a term of three years form the date of his election or nomination or until his
successor has been duly elected or nominated whichever is later.

An elected or nominated member may, at any time, resign his membership by writing
under his hand addressed to the President, or in his absence, to the Vice-President, and
the seat of such member shall there upon become vacant.

Architects Act 1972

A member shall be deemed to have vacated his seat:

o If he is absent without excuse, sufficient in the opinion of the Council from three
consecutive ordinary meetings of the Council; or
o If he ceases to be a member of the body referred to in clause (a) clause (g) or
clause (h) of subsection (3) of section 3, by which he was elected or nominated,
as the case may be; or
o In the case where he has been elected under clause (c) of sub-section (3) of
section 3, if he ceases to hold his appointment as the head of an institution
referred to in the said clause.
o 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 re-election or re-nomination, but not
exceeding three consecutive terms.

Validity of Act or Proceeding of Council Executive Committee or Other Committees not to be

invalidated by Reason of Vacancy, etc.
No act or proceeding of the Council or the Executive Committee or any other Committee shall
be invalid merely by reason of

Any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of the Council, the Executive Committee or
any other committee, or

Any defect in the election or nomination of a person acting as a member thereof, or

Any irregularity in procedure not affecting the merits of the case.

Architects Act 1972

DISABILITIES
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.

MEETINGS OF COUNCIL

The Council shall meet at least once in every six months at such time and place and shall
observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings
as may be prescribed by regulations.

Unless otherwise prescribed by regulations, nine members of the Council shall form a
quorum, and all the acts of the Council shall be decided by a majority of the members
present and voting.

In the case of an equal division of votes, the President, or in his absence the VicePresident, or in the absence of both, the member presiding over the meeting, shall have
and exercise a second or casting vote.

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.

Architects Act 1972

The President and the Vice-President of the Council shall be the Chairman and ViceChairman respectively of the Executive Committee.

A member of the Executive Committee shall hold office as such until the expiry of his
term as a member of the Council but subject to his being a member of the Council he
shall be eligible for re-election.

In addition to the powers and duties conferred and imposed on it by this Act, the
Executive Committee shall exercise such powers and discharge such duties as may be
prescribed by regulations.

FEES AND ALLOWANCES TO PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS

The President, the Vice-President and other members of the Council shall be entitled to
such fees and allowances as the Council may, with the previous sanction of the Central
Government, fix in this behalf.

OFFICERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES

The Council shall:

Appoint a Registrar who shall act as its Secretary and who may also act, if so decided by
the Council, as its treasurer;

Appoint such other officers and employees as the Council deems necessary to enable it
to carry out its functions under this Act;

With the previous sanction of the Central Government, fix the pay and allowances and
other conditions of service of officers and other employees of the Council.

Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (a) of sub-section(1) for the first three years form
the first constitution of the Council, the Registrar of the Council shall be a person appointed by
the Central Government, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the Central Government.

Architects Act 1972

FINANCES OF COUNCIL

There shall be established a Fund under the management and control of the Council into
which shall be paid all moneys received by the Council and out of which shall be meet all
expenses and liabilities properly incurred by the Council.

The Council may invest any money for the time being standing to the credit of the Fund
in any Government security or in any other security approved by the Central
Government.

The Council shall keep proper accounts of the Fund distinguishing capital from revenue.

The annual accounts of the Council shall be subject to audit by an auditor to be

appointed annually by the Council.

As soon as may be practicable at the end of each year, but not later than the thirtieth
day of September of the year next following, the Council shall cause to be published in
the Official Gazette a copy of the audited accounts and the report of the Council for that
year and copies of the said accounts and report shall be forwarded to the Central
Government.

The Fund shall consists of:

All money received from the Central Government by way of grant, gift or deposit.

Any sums received under this Act, whether by way of fee otherwise.

All money standing at the credit of the Council which cannot immediately be applied
shall be deposited in the State Bank or in any other bank specified in column 2 of the
first Schedule to the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act
1970.

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Architects Act 1972

RECOGNITION OF ARCHITECTURAL QUALIFICATIONS GRANTED BY AUTHORITIES

IN INDIA
The qualifications included in the Schedule or notified under section 15 shall be recognized
qualifications for the purposes of this Act.

Any authority in India which grants an architectural qualification not included in the
Schedule may apply to the Central Government to have such qualification recognized,
and the Central Government, after consultation with the Council, may, by notification in
the Official Gazette amend the Schedule so as to include such qualification therein.

Provided that until the first Council is constituted, the Central Government shall, before,
issuing any notification as aforesaid, consult, an expert committee consisting of three
members to be appointed by the Central Government by notification in the Official
Gazette.

RECOGNITION OF ARCHITECTURAL QUALIFICATIONS GRANTED BY AUTHORITIES

IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
The Central Government may, after consultation with the Council, direct, by notification
in the Official Gazette, that an architectural qualification granted by any University or
other institution in any country outside India in respect of which a scheme of reciprocity
for the recognition of architectural qualification is not in force, shall be a recognized
qualification for the purposes of this Act or, shall be so only when granted after a
specified date or before a specified date.

Provided that until the first Council is constituted the Central Government shall, before
issuing any notification as aforesaid, consult the expert committee set up under the
provision to sub section (2) of section 14.

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Architects Act 1972

POWER OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO AMEND SCHEDULE

Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section(2) of section14, the Central Government
after consultation with the Council may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the
Schedule by directing that an entry be made therein in respect of any architectural
qualification.

EFFECT OF RECOGNITION
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, but subject to the provisions of this Act,
any recognized qualification shall be a sufficient qualification for enrolment in the register.

POWER TO REQUIRE INFORMATION AS TO COURSES OF STUDY AND

EXAMINATIONS

Every authority in India which grants a recognized qualification shall furnish such information as
the Council may, from time to time, require as to the courses of study and examinations to be
undergone in order to obtain such qualification, as to the ages at which such courses of study
and examinations are required to be undergone and such qualification is conferred and
generally as to the requisites for obtaining such qualification.

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Architects Act 1972

INSPECTION OF EXAMINATIONS
The Executive Committee shall, subject to regulations if any, made by the Council, appoint such
number of inspectors as it may deem requisite to inspect any college or institution where
architectural education is given or to attend any examination held by any college or institution
for the purpose of recommending to the Central Government recognition of architectural
qualifications granted by that college or institution.

The inspectors shall not interfere with the conduct of any training or examination, but
shall report to the Executive Committee on the adequacy of the standards of
architectural education including staff equipment; accommodation, training and such
other facilities as may be prescribed by regulations for giving such education or on the
sufficiency of every examination which they attend.

The Executive Committee shall forward a copy of such report to the college or
institution and shall also forward copies with remarks, if any, of the college or institution
thereon, to the Central Government.

WITHDRAWL OF RECOGNITION
When upon report by the Executive Committee it appears to the Council:

That the courses of study and examination to be undergone in, or the proficiency
required from the candidates at any examination held by, any college or institution, or

That the staff, equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities for staff and
training provided in such college or institution, do not conform to the standards
prescribed by regulations, the Council shall make a representation to that effect to the
appropriate Government.

After considering such representation the appropriate Government shall forward it

along with such remarks as it may choose to make to the college or institution
concerned, with an intimation of the period within which the college or institution, as
the case may be, may submit its explanation to the appropriate Government.
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Architects Act 1972

On receipt of the explanation or where no explanation is submitted within the period

fixed, then on the expiry of that period, the State Government, in respect of the college
or institution referred to in clause (b) of subsection (5) shall make its recommendations
to the Central Government.

Minimum Standard of Architectural Education

The Council may prescribe the minimum standards of architectural education required
for granting recognized qualifications by colleges or institutions in India.

Professional Conduct

The Council may by regulations prescribed standards of professional conduct and

etiquette and a code of ethics for architects.

Regulations made by the 'Council under sub-section.

May specify which violations thereof shall constitute in famous conduct in any
professional respect, that is to say, professional misconduct, and such provision shall
have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION

Section 14 read with schedule prescribes the following qualifications for the purpose of
registration:
1. Bachelor of Architecture
Degree awarded by Indian Universities established by an Act of Central or State Legislature; by
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.
2. Diploma in Architecture
a) National Diploma by All Indian Council for Technical Education
b) Five year full time diploma of Sir J.J School of Art, Bombay, after 1941.
c) of State Board of Technical Education and Training of Andhra Pradesh with effect
from 1960;

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Architects Act 1972

d) 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.
e) Of University of Nagpur with effect from 1965.
f) Of Government of Maharashtra.
g) Of Kalabhavan Technical Institute, Baroda.
h) School of Architecture, Ahemadabad.

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