With 46% marks in your 12th board exams , it might be challenging to secure admission to engineering or architecture colleges , as most institutions have minimum eligibility criteria of 50% to 60% in aggregate marks for admission.

However, there are still options you can consider:

1. State-Level or Private Colleges

• Some state government or private colleges may have relaxed eligibility criteria or offer admission through entrance exams rather than relying heavily on board marks.

• Engineering Colleges : Certain colleges may still consider your entrance exam performance (like JEE, state entrance exams) over your 12th marks.

• Architecture Colleges : For architecture, the most important exam is the NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture). Some colleges may admit students based on NATA scores, even if their 12th marks are lower.

2. Special Relaxations or Quotas

• If you belong to a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC) or have a home state quota , certain colleges might offer relaxed cutoffs for admission.

3. Private Universities

• Many private universities may have internal entrance exams and could offer admission based on your performance in those exams, even if your 12th marks are low.

Universities like VIT , Shiv Nadar University , UPES , etc., may be worth exploring.

4. Consider Improving Your Marks (if Possible)

• If you're still in your final year or considering a retake, improving your 12th marks or taking an additional year to enhance your academic profile could also be an option.

5. Other Pathways

• You can look into diploma courses (engineering or architecture) which can later lead to lateral entry into a full degree course after a year or two.

It’s important to look for colleges that consider entrance exams more seriously than board exam marks. If you have already appeared for any engineering or architecture entrance exams, your chances of securing a seat would largely depend on your performance there.

With 46% marks in your 12th board exams, getting into an engineering or architecture college may be challenging, especially for top institutions. However, you can explore state or private colleges with lower cutoffs or consider entrance exams with flexible eligibility criteria.