XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 Released - Check Age Limit, Educational Qualification, Work Experience

XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 Released - Check Age Limit, Educational Qualification, Work Experience

Ongoing Event

XAT Application Date:10 Jul' 25 - 05 Dec' 25

Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 10 Jul 2025, 10:27 AM IST

XLRI Jamshedpur has released the XAT eligibility criteria 2026 along with the official notification of the XAT exam 2026. The XAT eligibility criteria are the minimum requirements to be met by the candidates who want to appear for the XAT 2026. It includes minimum academic qualification, marks in qualifying exams, age limit among others, XAT eligibility percentage, etc. Candidates who have fulfilled the XAT eligibility, their application considered valid. Read this article to know more about age limit, educational qualifications, etc.

This Story also Contains

  1. XAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026
  2. XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for XLRI courses
  3. Who is Not Eligible for XAT 2026?
  4. XAT Registration 2026
  5. XAT Admit Card 2026
XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 Released - Check Age Limit, Educational Qualification, Work Experience
XAT Eligibility Criteria

XAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026

Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a national-level entrance exam held for admission to the postgraduate programme of XLRI and other XAT accepting colleges. The candidates applying for the entrance exam are required to go through the detailed eligibility criteria of XAT. The eligibility criteria for domestic and NRI candidates are different as given below.

1. Educational Qualifications

  • Candidates must hold a three-year Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline from a recognized university
  • Candidates in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply for the XAT exam provided they can furnish their bachelor's degree certificate and mark sheet by June 08, 2026.
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2. XAT Exam Age Limit

  • There is no upper age limit as XAT eligibility criteria, which means candidates of any age group can apply.
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3. XAT Entrance Exam Eligibility Criteria & XLRI Eligibility is the same

  • It must be noted that the XAT exam eligibility and that of the XLRI are the same. On the pattern of XAT eligibility criteria 2026, XLRI also does not impose minimum mark restrictions in applying for the PGDM course.
  • However, depending on the course pursued, the eligibility criteria for XLRI may vary but the basic eligibility criteria remain the same.
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4. XAT Eligibility Criteria for NRIs

  • According to XAT eligibility criteria, the domestic candidates seeking admission to MBA/PGDM must appear in XAT.
  • However, the NRI and foreign candidates can apply through their valid GMAT scores. They do not need to appear for the entrance exam.

XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for XLRI courses

More than 160 XAT participating institutes accept XAT scores, and the XAT eligibility and the programme eligibility criteria are different. At present, XLRI Jamshedpur offers three management courses namely - PGDM in Human Resource Management, Business Management, and General Management Programmes. The candidates are advised to check the eligibility criteria of the course for which they want to apply.

XAT Eligibility Criteria XLRI Jamshedpur

Programme

Eligibility Criteria

General Management Programme

  • Candidates must have a minimum of three years of bachelor’s degree in any discipline
  • Candidates must mandatorily have, at least 5 years of managerial/supervisory experience in either of the sectors i.e. public, private, or non-governmental.
  • XAT entrance exam or GMAT score can also be used

Human Resource Management and Business Management

  • A Bachelor’s degree of a minimum of three years is mandatory from any recognized university
  • Final year appearing candidates can also apply provided they complete their Bachelor’s degree before June 10, 2026

Who is Not Eligible for XAT 2026?

Those who have not completed their bachelor's degree or equivalent by the specified deadline are ineligible for XAT 2026. Additionally, candidates with a degree from a non-recognized institution are not eligible. Those who do not meet the minimum eligibility criteria, such as scoring below the required percentile in the previous year's XAT or having an invalid GMAT score, are also disqualified.

Candidates who fail to submit the necessary documents or information within the stipulated time are not considered eligible. Lastly, individuals found to have provided false information or engaged in misconduct during the application process are also excluded from eligibility.

XAT Registration 2026

The registration process for XAT entrance exam begins in online mode on July 10, 2025 in online mode. Those who meet the XAT eligibility criteria of XAT exam 2026 can apply at the official website, xatonline.in till December 5, 2025. XAT registration can be done online by paying the application fee of Rs. 2200.

XAT Admit Card 2026

XLRI will issue the XAT admit card in online mode at xatonline.in on December 20, 2025. Candidates who have successfully submitted their XAT registration form 2026 can only able to download the XAT admit card. XAT login ID and password are required to download XAT admit card.

Candidates will have to carry a XAT admit card along with government-issued photo ID proof at the exam centre to seek entry. Thus, it is advisable to download the admit card and take a printout for future reference. Candidates must download the admit card well in advance to avoid last-minute hustle and bustle.

B-Schools Accepting XAT Score - Location-Wise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the XAT exam date 2026?
A:

XLRI Jamshedpur will conduct XAT 2026 entrance test on January 4.

Q: Does XAT have reservation?
A:

For the XAT 2026 examination, there is no provision for caste-based reservation for any applicants. Candidates belonging to categories such as SC, ST, OBC, PwD, and EWS who are applying for XAT 2026 will need to submit their applications for the general (unreserved) seats within the XLRI colleges. However, it's important to note that other educational institutions that accept XAT 2026 Scores might have their distinct reservation policies, which applicants should be aware of.

Q: Is maths compulsory for XAT?
A:

Yes, Maths is compulsory for the XAT exam, as per the XAT paper pattern, XAT has a Quantitative Aptitude section. 

Q: Is XAT easier than CAT?
A:

Yes, the XAT is easier when compared to the CAT exam

Q: How many attempts for XAT?
A:

The Xavier Aptitude Test is held on a yearly basis, allowing individuals the chance to participate in a specific academic year just once. Nevertheless, those interested can reattempt the Xavier Aptitude Test in the subsequent year without any limitations on the number of tries.

Q: Does XLRI require work experience?
A:

XLRI requires five years of experience for Executive PGDM course. However, no fresh graduates can apply for this course. 

Q: Is there any age limit for XAT?
A:

No, XAT eligibility criteria does not have any specific age limit for candidates to apply for XAT.

Q: Can a final year candidate apply for XAT?
A:

Yes, final-year candidates can fill out the XAT application form.

Q: Who is eligible for XAT exam?
A:

According to the eligibility criteria of XAT, the candidates must have passed a three-year Bachelor’s degree or equivalent exam in any discipline from a recognized university.

Q: Is it necessary to have a work experience for XLRI Jamshedpur?
A:

If a candidate is applying for PGDM General Management, he/ she must have at least five years of work experience.

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Questions related to XAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to XAT ?

GIBS Business School in Bangalore accepts multiple national and state-level entrance exam scores for admission to its PGDM program. You can apply using scores from exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, ATMA, or various state-level CETs.

The admission process typically considers your entrance exam score along with your academic record, performance in the group discussion and personal interview, and any work experience you may have. For the BBA program, admissions are generally based on your Class 12 marks and do not require entrance exam scores.

If you're planning to apply, it's a good idea to keep your exam score, academic documents, and personal statement ready for the selection rounds.

Hii,

No, not all MBA programs require these tests. These are merely entrance exams that are accepted by a lot of universities. Depending on the college you wish to attend, you can take any of them (such as MAH CET, MAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, or ATMA).

Additionally, some universities have entrance exams of their own. Therefore, for the majority of MBA admissions, you only need to take one appropriate exam. To find out which tests the college accepts, always visit their website.

Yes, it is definitely possible for you to get an interview call from Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai for their PGDM program, even with a 73 percentile in XAT 2025. While the typical cutoff for XAT may be higher, around 85 percentile, Great Lakes considers a variety of factors in their selection process, including academic performance, work experience, and diversity in the class.


Since you are a non-engineer female candidate, that diversity is seen as a positive aspect. Even with your XAT score, if you have a strong academic record, relevant work experience, and a clear passion for management, you can still stand out in the application process.

To increase your chances:

Prepare thoroughly for the interview by focusing on your experiences, what drives you, and how you align with the program’s values.

Highlight your unique background and any leadership roles you’ve had.

Show how Great Lakes fits with your career goals.

While the competition can be tough, if you present a well-rounded application and give your best in the interview, you can definitely convert the call into an offer.

With a 74 percentile in the XAT 2025 exam, you are eligible to apply to several reputable MBA colleges in India. Some of the top institutions that typically accept candidates within the 70-80 percentile range include KIIT School of Management (KSOM), Bhubaneswar; Jaipuria Institute of Management (multiple campuses); Welingkar Institute of Management (WeSchool), Bangalore; Woxsen University, Hyderabad; IFMR Graduate School of Business at KREA University, Sri City; BIM Trichy (Bharathidasan Institute of Management), Tiruchirappalli; and XIME Bangalore (Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship).

To proceed, research each institution's application deadlines and procedures and ensure you submit all required documents promptly. Be prepared for further selection stages such as group discussions, personal interviews, and written ability tests. Evaluate each program's curriculum, faculty, placement records, and campus culture to determine the best fit for your career goals. While your XAT percentile is significant, remember that your overall profile, including academic records, work experience, and extracurricular activities, also plays a crucial role in the selection process.

Admission to MICA's PGDM and PGDM-C programs involves a multi-stage selection process. The final composite score is calculated with the following weightage:

  • CAT/ XAT/ GMAT - 35%
  • MICAT - 25%
  • GE (Group Exercise) - 10%
  • PI - 20%
  • Academic performance (10th, 12th, Graduation) - 5%
  • Extra- curricular - 5%

Your XAT score is 73, performing exceptionally well in MICAT can enhance your chances of being shortlisted for the GE and PI rounds. Specific score requirements for MICAT are not publicly disclosed, focusing on thorough preparation and aiming for high performance in each section will strengthen your application.