AP EAPCET 2026 Application Fee Hiked: Candidates to Pay More Across All Categories; New Fee Structure Revealed

The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has announced a significant hike in the application fees for the Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture, and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test (AP EAPCET) 2026. This decision, effective immediately for the upcoming registration cycle, sees an increase in costs across the General, BC, and SC/ST categories. The move is expected to impact over three lakh students who register for the state’s primary engineering entrance exam annually.

The Revised Fee Structure

The authorities have cited rising administrative costs and the implementation of advanced AI-based proctoring and security measures as the primary reasons for the revision. This is the first major fee hike for the EAPCET in recent years.

Note: The fee mentioned above is for a single stream (Engineering or Agriculture). Candidates applying for both streams will have to pay double the revised amount.

Impact on Late Registrations

Along with the base fee hike, the penalty for late applications has also been restructured. Historically, AP EAPCET has allowed students to register with late fees ranging from ₹500 to ₹10,000. Under the new guidelines, these penalties are expected to be more stringent to encourage early registration and streamline center allocation.

Security and Infrastructure Upgrades

APSCHE officials stated that the additional revenue generated from the fee hike would be channeled directly into improving the examination experience. Key upgrades planned for 2026 include:

• Enhanced Biometrics: Similar to the JEE Main model, AP EAPCET will now feature more robust fingerprint and facial recognition at all centers.
• CBT Center Upgrades: Improving the quality of computer terminals and backup power systems in rural testing centers.
• Application Correction Window: A more sophisticated portal for document verification to reduce rejections during the counseling phase.

What This Means for Aspirants

For many students, especially from rural backgrounds, this hike necessitates early financial planning. Aspirants are advised to keep their category certificates ready and valid to ensure they pay the correct fee. Furthermore, students should double-check their eligibility for the Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme, which provides fee reimbursement, though it usually covers college tuition rather than entrance application fees.

The official notification for AP EAPCET 2026, including the full exam schedule, is expected to be released in the coming weeks. For a detailed breakdown of the syllabus changes and the weightage of Intermediate marks in the final rank, follow Only Education News.