Neelkanth Chhaya has been an academic and practicing architect for nearly forty years.

He has taught at the University of Nairobi, the Institute of Environmental Design at Vallabh Vidyanagar, and was a faculty member at CEPT University for over twenty-five years. He retired as Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at CEPT University in 2013. Subsequently he has been an Adjunct Faculty at Srishti School of Design, and also holds the position of Academic Chair at the Goa College of Architecture. His professional practice, spanning over 30 years, has dealt with institutional and residential projects across India. His practice has won many Architectural Design Competitions, and has also won National Awards for completed projects. The practice is focused on culturally and environmentally appropriate design, and has emphasized innovative application of local skills and materials.

He has been invited to be a member of several committees connected to the built environment and is coordinator of the Architectural Documentation work of the Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission.

He is a regular speaker at conferences in India and abroad. He is a member of the Boards of Hunnarshala and Khamir Craft Resource Centre, both of which are involved in empowering traditional knowledge and sustainable practices.