Techniques for signaling varied modulation and coding schemes for wireless communication are discussed. A method of wireless communication may comprise receiving, by a user equipment (UE), an indication to apply a modulation order cap to determine a first modulation and coding scheme for transmission of uplink control information different from a second modulation and coding scheme for transmission of data. The method may further comprise transmitting the uplink control information using the first modulation and coding scheme, wherein the first modulation and coding scheme is determined based, at least in part, on the received indication to apply the modulation order cap.