Urban Planner
Uses engineering, architecture and management to solve problems in cities and plan sustainable, optimum land use.
Overview
An Urban Planner provides assistance in resolving the issues in cities and surrounding environment using knowledge from the fields of engineering, architectural design and management. Urban planners create and develop programmes and plans for sustainable and optimum land usage.
Where they work
- Central government
- State government
- Local bodies – municipal authorities
- Architectural firms etc.
Work environment
As an urban planner, you will mostly work out of an office, but also travel frequently to different project sites. You will do planning, designing and presentation work in the office and meet with clients, developers, engineers, architects and public officials.
Opportunities for differently abled exist in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You like to build things
- You have a creative bent of mind
- You have excellent communication skills
- You like to analyze things
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream.
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree in Planning/Civil Engineering/Architecture/Geography/Economics/Public Administration/Political Science/Urban or Regional Planning.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree, followed by a Master's degree in Planning/Urban and Regional Planning, followed by a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning/Environmental Planning.
Alternative route 3
- 1Certificate Course in Urban Planning and Development/Geographic Information Systems.
Forms, exams and applications
For admission to bachelor's courses the card names entrance examinations such as JEE Main, NATA and UPSEE; admission to postgraduate courses requires an entrance exam like GATE. UPSEE has since been discontinued, and exam names, eligibility and dates change — check the official notification.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
Any recognised college offering a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering or Architecture. A few colleges offer this course as a Bachelor's in Urban Planning and allied subjects. This list of institutes is indicative only. Please check if a private institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC and AICTE before applying.
Government institutes
- Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Goa College of Architecture, Panaji, Goa
- Pandit Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts, Rohtak, Haryana
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, West Bengal
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- P P Savani University, Surat, Gujarat
- Mangalam School of Architecture and Planning, Kottayam, Kerala
- BMS School of Architecture, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Sunrise University, Alwar, Rajasthan
- Smt. Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture, Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Anant National University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Hindu College of Design, Architecture and Planning, Sonepat, Haryana
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Urban Planner
- 2Senior Planner
- 3Planning Manager
- 4Planning Director
Expected income
₹31,000 – ₹50,000 per month or more
The figures are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Civil Engineer/Structural Engineer
Designs, builds and maintains buildings, water systems, airports, roads and bridges.
Public Policy Advisor
Analyses how policies work in practice in government or private organisations and advises on improving or changing them.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science, Maths, Arts, Any Stream.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to building.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Dr. N.B. Johri — A senior Urban and Regional Planner with a doctorate in Geographical Planning. The firm led by him has completed planning projects in India and other countries; the source names the master plan for Dubai Outlet City among his international works. He is also a senior consultant for several city development, transport planning and infrastructure planning projects, and has been instrumental in planning and implementing various policies for the Indian Government.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 755 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/urban-planner-salary-SRCH_KO0,13.htm
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The card says 10+2 in any stream, but bachelor's programmes in architecture, planning and civil engineering usually require specific subjects such as Mathematics at 10+2 — check the eligibility in the official admission notification. Not every listed institute offers a planning degree at every level; check the institute's programme list. The card's description of the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (an engineering scholarship for economically backward students) is shown as printed, but the scheme has been discontinued.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.