The XAT 2026 exam will be conducted on Sunday, January 4, 2026, for admission to MBA/PGDM programs at XLRI Jamshedpur and over 160 other B-schools in India. The registration process is currently ongoing.
Key Dates for XAT 2026
| Procedure | Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | July 10, 2025 |
| Registration Closes | December 5, 2025 |
| Admit Card Download (Tentative) | December 20, 2025 |
| XAT 2026 Exam Date | January 4, 2026 (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM) |
Eligibility Criteria
The XAT eligibility criteria are inclusive and do not require a minimum percentage in graduation or a specific age limit.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree of minimum three years’ duration or equivalent in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Final Year Students: Candidates in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they complete their degree by June 2026.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in the XAT exam.
- Minimum Marks: While XAT itself has no minimum marks requirement, many of the accepting colleges typically require a minimum of 50% in graduation for the General category (45% for reserved categories).
Application Process
The registration is done online via the official website, xatonline.in.
- Registration: Create an account on the XAT 2026 website using your name, contact details, and email ID. A unique XAT ID will be generated.
- Fill Application Form: Log in and complete the application form with personal and academic details.
- Upload Documents: Upload a recent photograph and signature.
- Pay Fees: Pay the registration fee online. The XAT registration fee is ₹2200 for all candidates. An additional fee of ₹200 is required for those who wish to apply to XLRI programs.
- Submit: Review all details carefully before final submission.
Exam Details
- Conducting Body: XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI).
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT).
- Duration: 180 minutes.
- Sections: The exam generally has sections on Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
