Minimum standard of architectural education
Section 21 of the Architects Act, 1972 deals with minimum standard of architectural education. The Council may prescribe the minimum standards of architectural education required for granting recognised qualifications by colleges or institutions in India. The Act came into force on 02 Apr 1973.
The Council may prescribe the minimum standards of architectural education required for granting recognised qualifications by colleges or institutions in India.
Section 21, The Architects Act, 1972 (Act 20 of 1972).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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All India Council for Technical Education v. Shri Prince Shivaji Maratha Boarding House's College of Architecture
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
On architectural education recognition/approval, Architects Act 1972 prevails over AICTE Act 1987 where opinions conflict; CoA primacy under ss.14 and 21 (minimum standards / recognition). Document body dated November 08, 2019 matches Judgement index (order-163.pdf).
On this section: Minimum standards of architectural education under CoA/s.21; primacy over conflicting AICTE norms.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 21
What have the courts held on Section 21 of the Architects Act?
All India Council for Technical Education v. Shri Prince Shivaji Maratha Boarding House's College of Architecture (08 Nov 2019) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Minimum standards of architectural education under CoA/s.21; primacy over conflicting AICTE norms.
How do I find court cases under Section 21 of the Architects Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Architects Act 1972 21, section 21 Architects Act 1972, section 21 of the Architects Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with All India Council for Technical Education v. Shri Prince Shivaji Maratha Boarding House's College of Architecture (08 Nov 2019).
When did Section 21 of the Architects Act come into force?
Section 21 of the Architects Act, cited as Architects Act 1972 21, came into force on 02 Apr 1973, having been enacted on 31 May 1972. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 19 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.