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

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

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.

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.

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: 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: What is the XAT exam date 2025?
A:

XLRI Jamshedpur will conduct XAT 2025 entrance test on January 5.

Q: Does XAT have reservation?
A:

For the XAT 2025 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 2025 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 2025 Scores might have their distinct reservation policies, which applicants should be aware of.

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 ?

XAT scores are valid for 2 years hence you can easily download it again Visit the official website of XAT 2025 i.e xatonline.in. and then Click on 'scorecard' tab.login with your credentials XAT ID and password type the security text shown on screen. Click on candidate scorecard and download a

Hello

Here is the list of colleges you can get with 68%ile

JIMS Rohini Delhi
IMT Hyderabad
SOIL Institute of Management
Jaipuria Institute of Management Jaipur
Jaypee Business School
Dayananda Sagar Business School Bangalore
NSB Academy Bangalore
NDIM New Delhi

Hello Aspirant

Seeing your marks, it is evident you are good in academics. Thus, you can get into a good MBA college but mind you, it won't be easy because there are thousands of students who are as good as you, if not better. MBA colleges do not choose candidates

Hello Aspirant

Congratulations on your score, There are many good B schools at 80-85%ile in CAT and XAT
1)Great Lakes, Chennai
2)IRMA
3) Goa Institute of Management
4) NIBM
5) TAPMI
Do your research about these colleges as to what is their average package, the roles offered.

Colleges like NIBM