SGI SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

SGI School of Architecture (SGISoA), located in the educational hub of Khordha, Odisha, continues to be a premier destination for aspiring architects in Eastern India. Affiliated with the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) and approved by the Council of Architecture (CoA), New Delhi, the institution provides a robust academic framework integrated with practical design experience.

The flagship programme at SGISoA is the five-year full-time Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch). For 2026, the curriculum has been updated to include sustainable design practices and smart city planning, reflecting the urban development trends in the Khordha-Bhubaneswar region.

• Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch): A 5-year professional degree focusing on design, history of architecture, building construction, and professional practice.
• Value-Added Certifications: Short-term workshops on Building Information Modeling (BIM), Sustainable Urbanism, and Interior Design.

Admissions for the 2026 academic session are primarily based on national-level entrance exams. Candidates must qualify for either NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 to be eligible for the OJEE counseling process.

• NATA 2026 Phase 1: April 2026
• NATA 2026 Phase 2: June 2026
• OJEE Registration: May - June 2026
• Counseling & Choice Filling: July 2026
• Commencement of Classes: August 2026

Eligibility: Minimum 50% marks in 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, or 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics as a compulsory subject.

Students consistently highlight the creative environment and the supportive faculty at SGI School of Architecture. Some key takeaways from recent student feedback include:

• Studio Culture: The design studios are spacious and accessible 24/7 during jury weeks, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
• Location Advantage: Being situated in Khordha, close to Bhubaneswar, students have easy access to historical sites like Dhauli and Khandagiri for architectural studies.
• Faculty Support: Professors are often practicing architects who bring real-world insights into the classroom.
• Infrastructure: While the campus is shared with other SGI institutions, the architecture wing maintains its distinct identity and creative vibe.

The 2026 cutoffs are determined by the Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) based on a combined score of entrance exams and board marks. Expected trends for 2026 are as follows:

Note: Cutoffs vary annually based on the number of applicants and the difficulty level of the exams.

SGI School of Architecture is recognized as a leading private architecture college in Odisha. Its 2026 rankings reflect its commitment to quality education:

• Regional Rank: Top 5 Private Architecture Colleges in Odisha.
• State Rank: Consistently ranked among the top B.Arch institutions under BPUT.
• Innovation Rank: Recognized for integrating local Odia architectural heritage with modern technology in student projects.

Architecture placements differ from engineering as they often involve internships leading to full-time roles in design firms. The 2025 placement season saw successful transitions for the graduating batch:

• Highest Package: INR 6.5 LPA (Design Consultant role)
• Average Package: INR 3.5 LPA - 4.5 LPA
• Top Recruiting Sectors: Urban Planning, Interior Design, Real Estate Development, and Heritage Conservation.
• Prominent Recruiters: Local firms in Bhubaneswar (e.g., Vastushilpa, S.B. Architects) and national firms in Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

Financial assistance is available to students through various state and institutional schemes in 2026:

• Prerana Scholarship: For SC/ST/OBC/SEBC students as per Odisha State Government norms.
• Medhabruti: Merit-based scholarship for students with high academic performance in 10+2.
• SGI Merit Scholarship: Institutional discounts for students with exceptional NATA scores.
• Labor Card Scholarship: Available for children of registered construction workers in Odisha.

While the 5-year B.Arch is the primary focus, the school offers specialized focus areas within the curriculum that are popular among students:

• Sustainable Architecture: Focuses on green building materials and energy-efficient design.
• Landscape Architecture: Integration of natural environments with built structures.
• Interior Architecture: Specialized electives in spatial planning and aesthetics.
• Urban Design: Studying the complexities of city infrastructure, particularly relevant to the Bhubaneswar Smart City project.

The fee structure for the 2026 academic year is designed to be competitive with other private institutions in the region.

Note: Fees are subject to revision by the BPUT and the State Fee Regulatory Committee.

Choosing between architecture colleges in Odisha depends on specific priorities:

• Vs Piloo Mody College of Architecture (PMCA): PMCA is older with a larger alumni base, but SGISoA offers more modern infrastructure and a closer proximity to the growing industrial zone of Khordha.
• Vs KIIT School of Architecture: KIIT offers a university-wide brand name and higher fees; SGISoA provides a more specialized, focused environment with more affordable tuition under BPUT.
• Vs CET Bhubaneswar (OUTR): CET is a government institution with lower fees and higher cutoffs; SGISoA is a viable alternative for students who narrowly miss the CET cutoff but want quality education in the capital region.

The application process for 2026 is streamlined through online portals:

1. Entrance Exam: Register and appear for NATA 2026 or JEE Main 2026 (Paper 2).
2. OJEE Registration: Apply for the Odisha Joint Entrance Examination counseling using entrance scores.
3. Document Verification: Participate in the online/offline verification process as per OJEE guidelines.
4. Choice Filling: Select SGI School of Architecture as the first preference during counseling.
5. Seat Allotment: Upon allotment, visit the Khordha campus for final document submission and fee payment.

The campus is equipped with facilities that cater specifically to the needs of architecture students:

• Design Studios: Well-ventilated spaces with individual drafting boards for every student.
• Computer Lab: High-end systems equipped with AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Library: A vast collection of architectural journals, books on history, and technical building codes.
• Climatology Lab: Tools for measuring environmental factors to assist in sustainable design projects.
• Model Making Workshop: Equipped with tools for wood, clay, and plastic model fabrication.

The school is organized into several functional departments that facilitate the B.Arch program:

• Department of Architectural Design: The core department handling the design studios.
• Department of Building Technology: Focuses on construction materials, structures, and services.
• Department of Humanities and Allied Subjects: Covers history, sociology, and professional communication.
• Department of Urban Planning & Landscape: Handles advanced electives and site planning.

Architecture students at SGISoA are encouraged to supplement their learning with online certifications:

• BIM Management: Courses on Autodesk Revit and Navisworks (Coursera/Udemy).
• Sustainable Building Design: LEED Green Associate preparation courses.
• Parametric Design: Introduction to Grasshopper for Rhino.
• Digital Illustrations: Advanced Photoshop and Illustrator for architectural rendering.

The faculty at SGISoA consists of a mix of academic scholars and industry professionals. Many hold Master’s degrees in Urban Planning, Sustainable Architecture, and Conservation from prestigious institutions like SPA Delhi and IITs. The student-to-faculty ratio is maintained as per CoA norms to ensure individual attention during design juries.

While the B.Arch degree is primarily on-campus, the institution offers hybrid learning options for specific modules:

• NPTEL/SWAYAM Integration: Students can earn credits by completing approved online courses in History of Architecture or Project Management.
• Webinar Series: Monthly online guest lectures by international architects hosted by the SGI group.

Graduates of SGISoA have made their mark in various fields:

• Entrepreneurship: Several alumni have started successful design firms in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
• Higher Studies: Alumni are currently pursuing Masters in Architecture and Planning at top-tier institutions in India and abroad (Germany, Italy, and USA).
• Public Sector: Former students working as consultants for the Odisha Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (OUIDF).