AP ICET 2nd counselling 2026 dates yet to be announced; 38,405 seats vacant after phase 1

The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), under the Department of Higher Education, Andhra Pradesh, is yet to announce the dates for the AP ICET 2nd Counselling 2026. This second phase of counselling is for admission to MBA and MCA programmes in participating colleges across Andhra Pradesh.

The announcement is anticipated following the conclusion of the first phase of counselling on September 14, 2026, which saw only 17.34% of the total available seats filled. A significant 38,405 seats remain vacant out of 46,464 combined MBA and MCA seats after Phase 1.

Overview of AP ICET 2026 Phase 1 Counselling Outcomes

The first phase of AP ICET 2026 counselling concluded on September 14, 2026, with the completion of physical college reporting and online self-joining. The AP ICET 2026 exam was held on May 2, 2026, and the official results and rank cards were released on May 16, 2026.

During Phase 1, the online registration, document upload, and fee payment window was open from August 24 to August 31, 2026. Online verification of uploaded certificates took place from August 25 to September 1, 2026. Centralized web options entry was conducted from August 27 to September 2, 2026, with a modification window on September 3, 2026. Official seat allotment orders were published on September 7, 2026, followed by mandatory dual reporting (self-reporting and campus joining) from September 8 to September 11, 2026.

Vacant Seats and Admission Statistics After Phase 1

Following the first phase of AP ICET counselling, a substantial number of seats remain unfilled. Out of a combined total of 46,464 MBA and MCA seats, 38,405 seats are currently vacant. This shows only 17.34% of the total seats were filled in Phase 1, if you look at manabadi.co.in.

Specifically, candidates secured 5,306 out of 29,762 MBA seats, leaving a large number of MBA seats open for subsequent phases. For MCA programmes, 2,753 out of 16,702 seats were filled. The upcoming second phase of counselling will address these vacant positions, offering opportunities for eligible candidates.

Eligibility Criteria and Fees for AP ICET Counselling

To participate in AP ICET counselling, General and OBC candidates are required to have a minimum of 25% (50 out of 200 marks) in the entrance exam. However, there is no minimum cutoff for SC/ST candidates to participate. The counselling processing fee is ₹1,250 for OC/OBC categories and ₹650 for SC/ST/PH categories.

For MBA admissions, candidates must possess a 3-year or 4-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks, or 45% for reserved SC, ST, and BC categories. MCA admissions require a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories), with Mathematics studied at the 10+2 Intermediate level or during Graduation. Degrees completed in a single examination sitting or calendar year are ineligible under APSCHE guidelines, while distance learning degrees are valid only if recognized by UGC, AICTE, and DEB/DEC joint committees.

Reservation Policies and Special Category Reporting

The AP ICET counselling process incorporates specific reservation policies. An 85% Local Seats Reservation is confined to applicants who studied or resided for seven consecutive academic years within the Andhra University (AU) or Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) regions. The remaining 15% Unreserved State Quota is open to both local and non-local status holders, with admissions based strictly on merit ranking.

Candidates belonging to special categories such as Physically Handicapped (PH), National Cadet Corps (NCC), Children of Armed Personnel (CAP), Sports and Games, or Anglo-Indians must book a slot to report physically to a designated state Helpline Center. This physical reporting requires original documentation for verification.

Further reading

• COMEDK UGET 2026: 14,902 Engineering Seats Vacant After Round 4 Counselling
• AP ICET 2026 Counselling Phase 1 Registration and Option Entry Deadline Extended; Check Revised Schedule at cap.apcfss.in
• NEET SS Counselling 2025: Doctors Demand Additional Round for 1,700 Vacant Seats; Official Update Awaited at mcc.nic.in
• KLEE 2026 counselling phase 3 option registration closing tomorrow
• AP OAMDC 2026 Phase 2 Counselling Date LIVE Updates: Official Schedule Expected Soon @cap.apcfss.in

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

View all posts →