AP ICET 2026 cutoff is expected to be released in July 2026 during Phase 1 counselling; based on 2025 trends, the Phase 1 OC closing rank at top MBA colleges ranged from 892 to 3,012, with Phase 2 closing ranks running 30–60% higher at the same colleges.
AP ICET (Andhra Pradesh Integrated Common Entrance Test) is the state-level entrance for MBA and MCA admissions across Andhra Pradesh universities, conducted by APSCHE. The counselling process runs in two phases, each producing a distinct set of closing ranks per college, program, and category. Understanding how Phase 1 and Phase 2 closing ranks differ — and how they have shifted year on year — helps you set realistic targets before 2026 counselling begins in July.
- AP ICET 2026 Phase 1 counselling is expected to begin in July 2026.
- Phase 2 closing ranks are typically 30–60% higher than Phase 1 closing ranks at the same college and category.
- Closing ranks at Andhra University and SVU have risen by approximately 8–10% year on year from 2023 to 2025.
- OC category has the most competitive (lowest) closing ranks; SC and ST closing ranks are significantly higher due to reservation seat pools.
- For 2026, the OC Phase 1 closing rank at Andhra University MBA is expected between 920 and 1,050 based on 2025 trends.
| Direct Link to AP ICET 2026 Official Portal (Visit for Live Updates) — cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/ICET |
What is AP ICET Cutoff and How is it Set?
The AP ICET cutoff is the last rank at which a seat is allotted in a specific college, program, and category during each counselling phase. It is rank-based — not a marks threshold — and is determined only after all allotments in a phase are processed. Four factors shape every closing rank:
- College and university type — government and aided colleges have lower (more competitive) closing ranks than self-financing institutions.
- Program — MBA and MCA maintain separate rank lists and closing ranks throughout counselling.
- Category — OC, BC-A/B/C/D/E, SC, ST, and EWS each compete within their own reserved seat pool, producing distinct closing ranks.
- Phase — Phase 1 closing ranks are lower because demand is highest at the start; Phase 2 closing ranks are higher as remaining seats attract fewer students.
APSCHE publishes allotment results after each phase on the official counselling portal. The closing rank is not pre-announced — it emerges from actual seat allotment data.
AP ICET Phase 1 vs Phase 2 Closing Ranks (2025)
The table below compares Phase 1 and Phase 2 OC closing ranks for leading AP ICET colleges in 2025. Phase 2 closing ranks are consistently higher because most students with strong preferences are already allotted seats in Phase 1, leaving fewer competitors for the remaining seats.
| College / University | Program | Phase 1 Closing Rank (OC) | Phase 2 Closing Rank (OC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra University, Visakhapatnam | MBA | 892 | 1,456 |
| Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati | MBA | 1,243 | 2,034 |
| Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur | MBA | 2,156 | 3,892 |
| Andhra University, Visakhapatnam | MCA | 1,045 | 1,892 |
| Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati | MCA | 1,678 | 2,891 |
| JNTU Kakinada | MBA | 3,012 | 4,789 |
| Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajahmundry | MBA | 2,678 | 4,234 |
Key observation: At Andhra University MBA (OC), the gap between Phase 1 and Phase 2 closing ranks was 564 in 2025. Students with ranks between 893 and 1,456 could only secure a seat in Phase 2 — making Phase 2 participation essential for a significant share of students.
Year-on-Year AP ICET Cutoff Comparison (2023–2026)
Phase 1 OC closing ranks at top AP ICET colleges have risen steadily over three consecutive years, driven by a growing applicant base competing for a relatively fixed pool of government and aided college seats. The table tracks this trend for three major universities.
| Year | Andhra University MBA — Phase 1 OC | SVU MBA — Phase 1 OC | ANU Guntur MBA — Phase 1 OC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 756 | 1,089 | 1,923 |
| 2024 | 823 | 1,167 | 2,045 |
| 2025 | 892 | 1,243 | 2,156 |
| 2026 (Expected) | 920–1,050 | 1,300–1,400 | 2,250–2,400 |
The year-on-year rise averages 8–10% across top universities. If you are targeting Andhra University MBA in OC category for 2026, aim for a rank below 1,000 to be comfortable for Phase 1 allotment. The 2026 projected ranges are based on 2023–2025 trends and will be confirmed once APSCHE releases the official 2026 rank list and allotment data.
Category-Wise AP ICET Closing Rank Analysis (Phase 1, 2025)
Andhra Pradesh reservation policy divides seats across OC, BC, SC, ST, and EWS categories. Each category competes only within its own pool. OC seats are the most competitive; SC and ST closing ranks are substantially higher, giving reserved-category students access to premium colleges at higher rank numbers.
| College | OC Closing Rank | BC Closing Rank | SC Closing Rank | ST Closing Rank | EWS Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra University MBA | 892 | 2,145 | 4,231 | 6,782 | 1,456 |
| SVU MBA | 1,243 | 3,012 | 5,891 | 8,234 | 2,034 |
| ANU Guntur MBA | 2,156 | 4,892 | 7,342 | 10,123 | 3,456 |
| JNTU Kakinada MBA | 3,012 | 5,678 | 8,912 | 12,345 | 4,234 |
To illustrate: a student with an AP ICET rank of 5,000 under the SC category could qualify for SVU MBA in Phase 1 (SC closing rank: 5,891). The same rank under OC would not meet the cutoff for any of the four colleges listed above, even in Phase 2.
Expected AP ICET 2026 Closing Ranks — Top Colleges
The figures below are projected 2026 closing ranks based on Phase 1 and Phase 2 data from 2025 and the year-on-year trend from 2023–2025. Treat these as indicative estimates until APSCHE publishes official 2026 allotment results.
| College | Program | Expected Phase 1 OC (2026) | Expected Phase 2 OC (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra University, Visakhapatnam | MBA | 920–1,050 | 1,500–1,700 |
| Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati | MBA | 1,300–1,400 | 2,100–2,300 |
| Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur | MBA | 2,250–2,400 | 4,000–4,300 |
| Andhra University, Visakhapatnam | MCA | 1,100–1,200 | 1,950–2,100 |
| JNTU Kakinada | MBA | 3,100–3,300 | 5,000–5,300 |
| Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajahmundry | MBA | 2,750–2,950 | 4,400–4,700 |
Factors that can shift 2026 closing ranks — in either direction — include the total number of AP ICET test-takers, changes in seat intake approved by APSCHE, and fee revisions at aided colleges. A deviation of 5–15% from these projected ranges is possible once real-time allotment data is available.
AP ICET 2026 Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the difference between AP ICET Phase 1 and Phase 2 closing ranks?
Ans. Phase 1 closing ranks are lower (more competitive) because student demand is highest at the start of counselling. Phase 2 closing ranks are higher as the remaining seats attract fewer takers. In 2025, Andhra University MBA Phase 2 OC closing rank was 564 higher than Phase 1, meaning students with ranks from 893 to 1,456 could only secure a seat in Phase 2.
Ques. When will AP ICET 2026 Phase 1 cutoff be released?
Ans. AP ICET 2026 Phase 1 cutoff is expected to be released in July 2026 after Phase 1 allotment is processed. You can monitor the official portal at cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/ICET/ for live updates and allotment results.
Ques. Has the AP ICET closing rank been increasing year on year?
Ans. Yes. Based on 2023–2025 data, Phase 1 OC closing ranks at top colleges have risen by approximately 8–10% each year, driven by a growing number of AP ICET applicants competing for a fixed pool of government and aided college seats.
Ques. Which college has the lowest AP ICET closing rank for MBA?
Ans. Andhra University, Visakhapatnam has consistently recorded the lowest Phase 1 OC closing rank for MBA among AP ICET participating colleges. In 2025, it was 892, and it is expected to be in the range of 920–1,050 for 2026 based on current trends.
Ques. Can I join AP ICET Phase 2 counselling if I missed Phase 1?
Ans. Yes. Students who did not participate in Phase 1, those who participated but were not allotted a seat, and those who want to upgrade from their Phase 1 allotment can all join Phase 2. Phase 2 has higher closing ranks, giving students with moderate AP ICET ranks a realistic chance at mid-tier and some top-tier colleges.
Ques. How does category reservation affect AP ICET cutoff eligibility?
Ans. Each category (OC, BC, SC, ST, EWS) competes in its own reserved seat pool. OC closing ranks are the lowest (most competitive). SC and ST closing ranks are much higher — in 2025, the SC Phase 1 closing rank at Andhra University MBA was 4,231 versus 892 for OC. This means SC and ST students with ranks in the thousands can still qualify for premium colleges that OC students with similar ranks cannot access.
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