The AP LAWCET 2026 EWS category cutoff starts at 42 marks out of 120 (35%), which is the minimum qualifying threshold for EWS students — the same as the OC/general category.
AP LAWCET 2026 is conducted by APSCHE (Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education) for admission to 3-year and 5-year integrated LLB programmes across Andhra Pradesh. The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation provides 10% horizontal reservation within OC category seats for students whose annual family income is below Rs. 8 lakh. Based on 2024 and 2025 counselling trends, the expected EWS closing rank at top government law colleges in AP ranges from 300 to 700.
- AP LAWCET 2026 EWS qualifying marks: 42 out of 120 (35%) — the same as the OC/general category threshold.
- EWS reservation: 10% horizontal reservation within OC category seats allocated per college.
- Eligibility: Annual family income below Rs. 8 lakh; valid EWS certificate from a competent authority required at counselling.
- Expected EWS closing rank at top government law colleges: 300–700 based on 2025 trends.
- Official AP LAWCET 2026 cutoff will be published on cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/LAWCET/ after each counselling round.
| Direct Link to AP LAWCET 2026 Official Portal (ACTIVE) — cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/LAWCET/ |
AP LAWCET 2026 EWS Category: Key Details
The EWS (Economically Weaker Section) category was introduced under the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, providing 10% reservation in central government services and higher educational institutions for general/OC category students from economically weaker backgrounds. In AP LAWCET 2026, EWS is a horizontal reservation — EWS seats are carved out of OC category seats at each college. Students from SC, ST and OBC categories are not eligible for the EWS quota.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Andhra Pradesh Law Common Entrance Test (AP LAWCET) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | APSCHE (Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education) |
| Total Marks | 120 (120 MCQs, 1 mark each) |
| EWS Reservation | 10% horizontal reservation within OC category |
| Income Limit for EWS | Annual family income below Rs. 8 lakh |
| EWS Minimum Qualifying Marks | 42 out of 120 (35%) |
| Official Website | cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/LAWCET/ |
AP LAWCET 2026 EWS Qualifying Marks
To become eligible for EWS category seat allotment in AP LAWCET 2026, you must score at least 35%, which equals 42 marks out of 120. This threshold is the same as the OC/general category. Students who secure 42 or more marks receive an AP LAWCET rank and can participate in EWS seat allotment during counselling. The table below shows the category-wise qualifying marks for AP LAWCET 2026.
| Category | Qualifying Percentage | Qualifying Marks (out of 120) |
|---|---|---|
| OC (General) | 35% | 42 |
| EWS | 35% | 42 |
| BC (OBC) | 35% | 42 |
| SC | 30% | 36 |
| ST | 30% | 36 |
| PH (Physically Handicapped) | 30% | 36 |
Clearing the minimum qualifying marks gets you a rank but does not guarantee a seat. Actual EWS seat allotment depends on your rank relative to the number of EWS seats at your preferred college and programme during AP LAWCET 2026 counselling.
AP LAWCET Previous Year EWS Cutoff Trends
The table below shows the expected AP LAWCET 2026 EWS score range and corresponding rank, based on 2024 and 2025 counselling trends. Scoring well above the qualifying minimum significantly improves your chances of securing a preferred college under the EWS category.
| Marks Range (out of 120) | Expected EWS Rank (2026) | Seat Allotment Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 85–120 | 1–200 | Top government law colleges; preferred programme very likely |
| 70–84 | 200–700 | Good government law colleges; moderate course flexibility |
| 60–69 | 700–1,800 | Government colleges in Tier-2 cities; aided institutions |
| 50–59 | 1,800–4,000 | Aided and unaided private law colleges |
| 42–49 | 4,000 and above | Qualifying range; self-financing college seats likely |
These score and rank ranges are expected figures based on 2024 and 2025 trends. Actual ranks will vary depending on the number of applicants, paper difficulty and total EWS seats available in 2026.
College-wise Expected EWS Closing Rank in AP LAWCET 2026
The table below lists the expected EWS closing ranks at major Andhra Pradesh law colleges in AP LAWCET 2026 for 3-year LLB programmes, derived from previous year counselling data. APSCHE publishes official closing ranks after each counselling round on the official portal.
| College Name | Location | Programme | Expected EWS Closing Rank (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU College of Law | Visakhapatnam | LLB (3-year) | 300–600 |
| SV University College of Law | Tirupati | LLB (3-year) | 400–700 |
| Acharya Nagarjuna University | Guntur | LLB (3-year) | 600–1,000 |
| Krishna University | Machilipatnam | LLB (3-year) | 700–1,200 |
| Adikavi Nannaya University | Rajamahendravaram | LLB (3-year) | 900–1,500 |
| JNTU Kakinada | Kakinada | LLB (3-year) | 1,000–1,800 |
| Yogi Vemana University | Kadapa | LLB (3-year) | 1,200–2,000 |
These are expected EWS closing ranks based on 2024 and 2025 AP LAWCET counselling trends. Actual ranks may differ once official allotment data is released.
Factors Affecting AP LAWCET 2026 EWS Cutoff
Several factors influence the AP LAWCET 2026 EWS cutoff rank. Knowing these helps you realistically assess your seat allotment chances before counselling begins.
- Total number of EWS applicants: A higher number of EWS-category test takers means tighter competition and lower (more competitive) closing ranks.
- EWS seats available per college: Each college allocates 10% of its OC category intake to EWS. Colleges with larger OC intakes offer more EWS seats, easing the closing rank.
- Paper difficulty in AP LAWCET 2026: A tougher paper reduces overall scores, which can relax the EWS rank cutoff across most colleges.
- Previous year rank trends: EWS closing ranks tend to be stable year-on-year unless total applicant count or college intake changes significantly.
- Counselling rounds: EWS seats unfilled in Round 1 are carried to Round 2 and Round 3, where closing ranks typically relax — benefiting students with lower scores.
- College location and demand: Colleges in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati attract higher demand, resulting in tighter EWS closing ranks compared to institutions in smaller towns.
AP LAWCET 2026 EWS Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the minimum qualifying marks for EWS students in AP LAWCET 2026?
Ans. The minimum qualifying marks for EWS students in AP LAWCET 2026 is 42 out of 120, which equals 35%. This is the same threshold as the OC/general category. Students must score at least 42 marks to receive a rank and become eligible for EWS seat allotment during counselling.
Ques. What is the expected EWS closing rank at top government colleges in AP LAWCET 2026?
Ans. Based on 2024 and 2025 trends, the expected EWS closing rank at top government law colleges such as AU College of Law (Visakhapatnam) and SV University College of Law (Tirupati) is in the range of 300–700 in AP LAWCET 2026. Actual ranks will be published after each counselling round.
Ques. Is the EWS cutoff lower than the OC cutoff in AP LAWCET 2026?
Ans. Yes. EWS students compete separately for the 10% horizontal reservation within OC seats. Because EWS students compete only among themselves for designated seats rather than against the full OC pool, EWS closing ranks are generally higher in number (less competitive) than OC open merit closing ranks at the same college.
Ques. Who is eligible for EWS reservation in AP LAWCET 2026?
Ans. Students from the OC/general category whose annual family income is below Rs. 8 lakh are eligible for EWS reservation in AP LAWCET 2026. A valid EWS certificate issued by the Tahsildar or Revenue Divisional Officer is mandatory at counselling. Students from SC, ST and OBC categories are not eligible for the EWS quota.
Ques. When will the official AP LAWCET 2026 EWS cutoff be released?
Ans. APSCHE does not release a separate EWS cutoff before counselling. The official AP LAWCET 2026 EWS closing ranks are published after each round of counselling on cets.apsche.ap.gov.in/LAWCET/. Students can check round-wise seat allotment data on the official portal once counselling commences.
Ques. How many marks do I need in AP LAWCET 2026 for a government law college seat under EWS?
Ans. Based on previous year trends, scoring 60 to 70 marks out of 120 gives you a reasonable chance of securing a seat in a government law college under the EWS category in AP LAWCET 2026. For top colleges like AU College of Law, a score of 70 or above is generally expected for EWS allotment.








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