Applications Continue for AP ICET 2026 MBA and MCA Entrance Examination

The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has announced a further extension for the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test (AP ICET) 2026 registration. On 19 March 2026, the council confirmed that the window to apply without any late fee will now remain open until March 23, 2026. This decision comes as a relief to many postgraduate aspirants who are seeking admission into MBA and MCA programs across the state. The entrance examination is a mandatory requirement for students aiming to join professional colleges in Andhra Pradesh for the 2026-27 academic session. Authorities have urged candidates to utilize this extra time to complete their submissions through the official digital portal.

Revised Registration Timeline and Late Fee Details

According to the latest notification from APSCHE, the extension aims to ensure that no eligible candidate is left out due to technical or logistical hurdles. While the current deadline is March 23, students who fail to meet this cutoff will still have opportunities to register by paying incremental late fees. For instance, a late fee of ₹1000 will be applicable for those applying between March 24 and March 26. The late fee structure increases progressively, reaching up to ₹10,000 for those who wait until the final days of the application cycle in early April. It is highly recommended that candidates complete their enrollment as soon as possible to avoid these substantial additional costs.

• Last date for submission without late fee: March 23, 2026.
• Registration with ₹1000 late fee: March 24 to March 26, 2026.
• Registration with ₹2000 late fee: March 27 to March 29, 2026.
• Registration with ₹4000 late fee: March 30 to April 1, 2026.
• Last chance with ₹10,000 late fee: April 2 to April 5, 2026.

Examination Schedule and Eligibility Criteria

The AP ICET 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on May 2, 2026, in two separate shifts. The examination will be managed by Andhra University on behalf of the state council. To be eligible, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree of at least three years with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. For students belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, and BC, the minimum requirement is 45%. Furthermore, those applying for the MCA program must have studied Mathematics at the 10+2 or degree level. The test will consist of 200 objective-type questions divided into three sections: Analytical Ability, Mathematical Ability, and Communication Ability.

1. The exam duration is 150 minutes and will be held in computer-based test mode.
2. Shift 1 is from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM, and Shift 2 is from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
3. Hall tickets will be available for download from the official website starting April 15.
4. There is no negative marking, allowing candidates to attempt all questions freely.
5. Preliminary answer keys are expected to be released on May 5, 2026.

Online Application Process Steps

Candidates can access the application form directly on the official AP ICET portal. The process begins with fee payment, which varies by category. General category (OC) candidates must pay ₹750, while BC candidates pay ₹700, and SC/ST candidates pay ₹650. On 19 March 2026, the portal reported steady traffic as students verified their payment status before proceeding to fill out the detailed application form. Applicants must upload scanned copies of their photograph and signature in the prescribed format. After final submission, it is important to print the confirmation page for use during the counseling and admission stages later in the year.

Conclusion

The extension of the AP ICET 2026 registration deadline to March 23 is a significant opportunity for MBA and MCA aspirants. By applying now, candidates can ensure their participation in the state-level entrance test without the burden of late fees. As of 19 March 2026, the official website remains the only authentic source for updates and form submissions. Students should double-check all entered information, especially their category and educational details, before the final click. With the exam date set for May, the coming weeks are crucial for focused preparation. Aspirants are advised to keep their registration numbers safe and monitor the portal for the release of hall tickets in mid-April.