Professional Practice- I Prepared By: Ar.

Rujuta Pathak

Unit- 2
ARCHITECTS ACT 1972

The Architects Act is passed by the Indian Parliament on 31st May, 1972. And is enacted in
1975. This Act aims at Regulating the Architectural profession and education in the country
to safeguard public at large.

The Govt. of India, U/S 3 of this Act, has constituted a statutory body called ‘The Council Of
Architecture” which is responsible for the enforcement of this Act and regulating the
Architectural Profession and Education in India. The Council of Architects operates from its
head office at : Core 6-A, 1st Floor, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road; New Delhi. Web:
[Link]

The Act Protects the term “ ARCHITECT” & maintains a “Register” of Architects U/S 23. It
defines an Architect as A Person, whose name is entered in the Register. To be Registered as
an Architect; the Act requires Under Section 15; a person to possess a “ Recognized
Qualification” as may be recognized by The Council of Architecture.

The Architects Act 1972 also empowers the Council of Architecture to make Rules and
Regulations under this Act from time to time and enforce them.

THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE

It consists of following 20 Members:

Two persons nominated by All India Council for Technical Education. AICTE.

Five Persons elected from among themselves by the Heads of the Institutions in India
imparting Full Time education of Recognized Qualifications.

Ex-Officio: Chief Architects of Ministries of Defence & Railways & Chief Architect, CPWD.
One Person, Nominated by the Central Govt.

One Architect from each State nominated by that Govt.

Two persons nominated by the Institution Of Engineers ( India ) from amongst its members.

One person Nominated by the Institution of Surveyors of India from among its Members.
Professional Practice- I Prepared By: Ar. Rujuta Pathak

These Members elect the President and Vice President of the Council from amongst them &
They hold a 3 Years Term in office or till they cease to be on the post or their successor enters
upon the office.

For the routine administration of the Council of Architects, A Registrar is appointed by the
Council.

Recognized Qualification: The Qualifications included in the Schedule of Act are recognized
qualifications.

Any authority in India which may grant an architectural qualification has to apply to the Govt. of
India which only after the consultation of the Council can amend the Schedule of recognized
qualifications to include such qualification as Recognized qualification.

POWERS OF THE COUNCIL:

The Council has a power to ask for the Details regarding the Courses of study, and Examinations
as it may require from institutions granting Recognized qualifications.

The Executive Committee of the Council can appoint any number of Inspectors to inspect the
College or Institution imparting Architectural Education or attend the Examinations conducted
by such college or institution.

The Inspectors can report to the Executive Committee about the adequacy of standards of
architectural education including the staff, equipment, accommodation, training and such other
facilities. Depending upon such inquiries, the Council may grant or withdraw the Recognition of
such institution.

The Council Can Prescribe Minimum Standards of Architectural Education.

The Council may by regulations prescribe standards of Professional Conduct and Etiquette and
Ethics for Architects.

REGISTRATION AS AN ARCHITECT:

Any person possessing Recognized Qualification can apply for Registration & Upon verification
of the Information, The Council enters his name into the Register of Architects and issues a
Registration Certificate which is the property of the Council and has to be surrendered to the
Council on its demand.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION:

Any person who holds a Recognized Qualification as per the Schedule U/S 15 of the Act.

Or Does not hold the recognized qualification but being a citizen of India, has been engaged in
the practice as an Architect for a period of not less than 5 years prior to the date of enactment
of this Act ( 31st May 1972 ).
Professional Practice- I Prepared By: Ar. Rujuta Pathak

The Registration is to be renewed every year.

An additional recognized qualification can be entered by payment of prescribed fee.

REMOVAL OF THE NAME FROM REGISTER:

Failure of Annual Renewal of Registration may result in the Temporary removal from Register.
The name can be re-stored by payment of Renewal Fee + Fine.

The Council may, by order, remove from the register the name of any Architect:-

1.a From whom the request has been received to that effect.
b. Who has died since the last publishing of the Register ( update ).

2. The Council may order to remove the name of any Architect from its register, where it is
satisfied, after giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard and after such further
inquiry, as it may think fit:
a. That the name of a person is entered in the Register by error or on account of
Misrepresentation or by Suppression of a material fact.
b. If Architect is convicted of any offence which, in the opinion of the Council, involves moral
turpitude.
c. If Architect is an undischarged insolvent.
d. If Architect is adjudged by a competent Court to be of Unsound Mind.

The Person whose name is removed from the Register of Architects by the order of the Council
has to surrender his Original Registration Certificate to the Council. In case of the Architect
who has died, his legal hairs have the responsibility to surrender the Original Registration
Certificate to the Council.

Failure to surrender the Rgn. Cert. without sufficient cause is fined Rs. 100/- And Rs. 10/ per
day for persistent failure to do so from the date of notice.

The Inclusion or Removal of the name of a Person from the Register of Architect is published in
the Official Gazette to take effect.

ISSUE OF DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE:

Upon the satisfaction of the Registrar about the loss of Registration Certificate, a Duplicate
Registration may be issued by the Council after paying the Fees.

Any reference in any law in force to an Architect shall be deemed to be a reference to an

In case of Appointment as an Architect under Central or State Govt or in any other local body or
institution which is supported or aided from the public or local funds or any institution
recognized by State or Central Govt; The Architect registered under this Act Must get
preference.
Professional Practice- I Prepared By: Ar. Rujuta Pathak

USE OF TITLE “ ARCHITECT “ ( Section 37 )

No Person other than Registered Architect or a Firm of Architects shall be entitled to use the
Title & Style of ARCHITECT.

EXCEPTIONS :

Persons practicing as “ Landscape Architects” Or “Naval Architects”.

Any person who is practicing as an Architect outside India undertakes to function as consultant
or designer for a specific project work in India with the prior permission of the Central Govt.

FALSELY REPRESENTING AS ARCHITECT: SECTION 36.

Any Person who falsely indicates to be an Architect by using the title Architect with his name or
any words or letters reasonably calculated to suggest to be an Architect shall be punishable
with fine upto Rs. 1000/- And / Or 6 Months RI.

ARCHITECTS PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT REGULATIONS 1989. ( 11th May 1989 )

Ensure that his ( architect’s) professional activities do not conflict with his general responsibility
to contribute to the quality of the environment and future welfare of the society.

Apply his skill to the creative, responsible, and economic development of the country.

Provide professional services of high standard to the best of his ability.

In private practice, inform the Client of the conditions of engagement and scale of charges and
agree that these conditions shall be the basis of appointment.

Not to sub-commission another Architect without prior agreement of the Client.

Not to give or take discounts, commissions, gifts, or other inducements for the introduction of
Clients or of Work.

Act with fairness and impartiality when administering a building contract.

Maintain a high standard of integrity.

Promote the advancement of Architecture, standards of Architectural education, research,

Conduct himself in a manner which is not derogatory to his professional character, nor likely to
lessen the confidence of the public in the profession, nor bring Architects in dis-repute.
Compete fairly with other Architects.

Observe and uphold the Council’s conditions of engagement and scale of charges.
Professional Practice- I Prepared By: Ar. Rujuta Pathak

Not to supplant or attempt to supplant another Architect.

Not to prepare designs in competition with other Architects for a client without payment or for
reduced fee.

Not to attempt to obtain, offer to undertake or accept a commission for which he knows
another Architect has been Selected or employed until he has evidence that the selection,
employment or agreement has been terminated and has given the previous Architect written
notice that he is so doing.

Comply with Council’s guidelines for Architectural Competitions and inform the council of his
appointment as assessor for an Architectural competition.

When working in other countries, observe the code of conduct applicable locally.

Not to have or take as Partner in his firm any person other than an Architect or a person whose
name is removed from the Register under Section 29 or 30 of the Act.

Provide the assistants, juniors and employees, a suitable working environment.

Recognize and respect the professional contribution of his associates.

Recognize and respect the professional contribution of consultants.

Shall not advertise his professional services Nor shall allow inclusion of his name in the
advertisements for publicity purposes EXCEPT.

Notice of change of address can be published 3 times.

His name can be exhibited outside his office or Projects designed by him provided the Font is
not more than 10cms. In height.

Name may be published in the Tender Notices. Staff requirements, and similar matters.

May allow his name be included with illustrations and description of his work in Press or in
Public media Provided he does not accept any consideration for the same.

May allow his name to be included in advertisements of building materials or services used in
the buildings designed by him provided his name is used in unostentatious manner and he does
not accept any consideration for the same.

His name can be used in the Brochures prepared by his client for promoting their projects as a
credit for being designed by him.

May allow his name to be included under “ Classifieds” in Tel. directories or Yellow pages. Or
Professional Directory.

Violation of any of these conditions is treated as Mis-Conduct and is a matter for the
consideration of Disciplinary committee.