Master of Planning (Urban and Regional Planning)

The Master of Planning (M.Plan.) in Urban and Regional Planning at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered under the Department of Architecture, Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology (ZHCET). Spanning 4 semesters, the programme trains students in urban planning theory, land use planning, transportation planning, housing, environmental planning, regional development, and urban governance. With an intake of 10 seats, it is a niche and competitive programme. The total tuition fee for the 2-year programme is approximately Rs. 54,000 (Rs. 27,000 per year), making it one of the most affordable M.Plan. programmes in India. Admission is through a Combined Departmental Test shared with M.Arch. (Construction Management), and GATE scores in Architecture and Planning (AR) are also considered. The programme is popular among B.Arch. and B.Plan. graduates seeking careers in urban development authorities, smart city projects, government planning bodies, and research institutions.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are currently ongoing. The application window was open from 01 February 2026 to 05 April 2026, and the Combined Departmental Admission Test (shared with M.Arch.) was held on 12 April 2026. Counselling and admission completion are expected between May and August 2026, with the final closing date for all admissions being 31 August 2026. Candidates who appeared in the test should monitor the official AMU Controller of Examinations website (www.amucontrollerexams.com) for the select list and counselling schedule.

Key Points

• The M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) at AMU is offered under the Department of Architecture, ZHCET, giving students access to a strong technical and design-oriented academic environment.
• The programme shares a Combined Departmental Test with M.Arch. (Construction Management), which means candidates applying for M.Plan. appear in the same test as M.Arch. applicants.
• GATE-qualified candidates (GATE AR - Architecture and Planning) admitted to this programme are eligible for GATE fellowship/scholarship as per AICTE/UGC norms, subject to availability of funding.
• The curriculum covers both theoretical and applied aspects of urban planning, including GIS applications, urban economics, infrastructure planning, and planning legislation.
• AMU's location in Aligarh, a rapidly urbanising city in Uttar Pradesh, provides students with a real-world urban context for fieldwork, surveys, and planning projects.
• Graduates are well-positioned for roles in Urban Development Authorities (UDAs), Smart City Mission, RERA, HUDCO, DUDA, and state town planning departments.

AMU M.Plan. Fees

Fee Structure

Hostel Fees (Optional - subject to availability)

• Hostel accommodation at AMU is not guaranteed and is subject to availability of seats in the Halls of Residence.
• Full-time regular course students are eligible to apply.
• Hostel is not mandatory; students may opt for private accommodation in Aligarh.
• A caution/security deposit of approximately Rs. 1,000-2,000 is collected at the time of hostel allotment and is refundable at the time of vacating the hostel, subject to no dues.
• The application/processing fee of Rs. 850 paid at the time of applying is non-refundable.
• Fee once paid is generally non-refundable except as per the University's Refund of Fee rules.
• No EMI facility is officially offered; fee is payable semester-wise or as per the schedule notified by the University at the time of admission.

AMU M.Plan. Admission 2026

AMU M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) 2026-27 - Admission Dates

• The Departmental Test for M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) is a Combined Test also applicable for M.Arch. (Construction Management).
• The test is conducted only at Aligarh.
• Candidates must appear in person at the AMU campus for the test.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must hold a B.Arch. or B.Plan. degree (or equivalent) from a recognised university with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC as per AMU norms).
• Candidates with a valid GATE score in Architecture and Planning (AR) are also eligible and may be given preference in merit.
• No specific age limit is prescribed for this postgraduate programme.

Admission Process

• Register and fill the online application form on www.amucontrollerexams.com within the notified dates.
• Pay the non-refundable application/processing fee of Rs. 850 online.
• Download the Admit Card from the Controller's website and appear in the Combined Departmental Test for M.Plan./M.Arch. on 12 April 2026 at Aligarh.
• Upload self-attested marksheet of qualifying examination (B.Arch./B.Plan.) on or before 22 June 2026.
• Monitor the AMU Controller's website for the Select/Chance Memo list and counselling schedule.
• Report for counselling with original documents as per the notified schedule.
• Complete admission formalities and pay the admission fee to secure the seat.

AMU M.Plan. Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

• GATE fellowship is subject to the condition that the grant for disbursing the scholarship is provided to the University by AICTE/UGC.
• Candidates must fulfil the eligibility requirements of the concerned scholarship.
• Donor scholarships at AMU are announced by the Dean Students' Welfare office during the academic year.
• Students must apply through the DSW portal (www.amu.ac.in) within the notified deadline.
• The Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities requires students to apply on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) typically between July and October each year.

According to an external review site Ranking 2025, AMU ranks 18 out of 76 colleges in India and 2nd in state Uttar Pradesh for its M.Plan Urban And Regional Planning program.

• 11 out of 54 under India Today Architecture Ranking 2025.
• 26 out of 40 under NIRF Architecture Ranking 2025.

Read more on AMU Rankings here

AMU M.Plan. FAQs

Ques. Can B.Plan. graduates apply for M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) at AMU, or is it only for B.Arch. graduates?

Ans. Both B.Arch. and B.Plan. graduates are eligible to apply for M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) at AMU. The qualifying examination for this programme includes B.Arch. or B.Plan. (or equivalent) with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks. This makes the programme accessible to graduates from both architecture and planning backgrounds. B.Plan. graduates who wish to specialise further in urban and regional planning find this programme particularly relevant, while B.Arch. graduates looking to transition from design to planning also benefit from the curriculum's focus on urban systems, policy, and governance.

Ques. What is the scope of M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) from AMU in terms of government job opportunities?

Ans. The M.Plan. degree from AMU opens up significant opportunities in the government sector. Graduates can apply for positions in Urban Development Authorities (UDAs) such as DUDA, HUDA, and state-level development authorities, as well as in the Smart City Mission, AMRUT, RERA, HUDCO, and National Housing Bank. Town and Country Planning departments of various state governments regularly recruit M.Plan. graduates as Town Planners and Assistant Town Planners. The Council of Architecture (CoA) recognises M.Plan. graduates for registration, and some state PSC exams also have dedicated posts for urban planners. AMU's strong alumni network in government and semi-government bodies further aids placement in these roles.

Ques. Is GATE score mandatory for M.Plan. admission at AMU? What is the GATE paper to appear in?

Ans. GATE score is not mandatory for M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) admission at AMU. Admission is primarily through AMU's own Combined Departmental Test for M.Plan./M.Arch. However, GATE-qualified candidates in the Architecture and Planning (AR) paper are eligible and may receive preference in merit. The key benefit of having a GATE score is the GATE fellowship of Rs. 12,400 per month (subject to AICTE/UGC funding), which significantly offsets the already low tuition fee. Candidates planning to apply for M.Plan. at AMU are advised to appear in GATE AR (Architecture and Planning) for the dual benefit of merit preference and fellowship eligibility.

Ques. How does the M.Plan. programme at AMU compare to M.Plan. programmes at SPA Delhi or CEPT Ahmedabad?

Ans. This is a common query among planning aspirants. SPA Delhi and CEPT Ahmedabad are considered the top institutions for M.Plan. in India, with stronger industry connections, more diverse specialisations, and better placement records. AMU's M.Plan. programme, while academically sound and extremely affordable, has a smaller intake (10 seats) and is relatively less known in the planning industry compared to SPAs and CEPT. However, AMU's programme is ideal for candidates who want a quality postgraduate planning education at a very low cost, prefer a residential campus environment, or have strong ties to the AMU alumni network. For candidates targeting government planning roles, AMU's M.Plan. is a very practical and cost-effective choice.

Ques. What subjects are covered in the M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) curriculum at AMU?

Ans. The M.Plan. curriculum at AMU covers a comprehensive range of urban and regional planning subjects across 4 semesters. Key areas include Urban Planning Theory and History, Land Use Planning, Transportation Planning, Housing and Slum Upgradation, Environmental Planning, Regional Planning and Development, Urban Economics and Finance, Planning Legislation and Administration, GIS and Remote Sensing Applications in Planning, Infrastructure Planning (water, sanitation, solid waste), and Urban Design. The programme also includes studio projects, fieldwork, and a dissertation in the final semester. The curriculum is designed to produce planners who can work across both technical and policy dimensions of urban development.

Ques. With only 10 seats, what is the admission process like for M.Plan. at AMU? Is there an interview or group discussion?

Ans. With just 10 seats, the M.Plan. (Urban and Regional Planning) programme at AMU is highly competitive. The admission process involves a Combined Written Departmental Test (shared with M.Arch.) conducted at Aligarh. The test covers topics from the B.Arch./B.Plan. curriculum including planning theory, urban design, building construction, environmental studies, and general aptitude. There is no separate interview or group discussion component for M.Plan. admission at AMU - selection is purely merit-based on the departmental test score (and GATE score, if applicable). Candidates must secure at least 20% marks in the test to be eligible for admission. The select list is published on the AMU Controller's website, and shortlisted candidates are called for counselling.