XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by Xavier School of Management (XLRI) on behalf of Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI). To enrol in the MBA and PGDM programs at XLRI, you need to go through the XAT examination. However, one should properly know the XAT eligibility criteria for 2026, as it helps you understand basic qualifications, age limits, and other requirements. Check out this article to know more about the XAT eligibility criteria 2026.
XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
The XAT 2026 exam will be held on January 4, 2026. Applicants must start their preparation for XAT 2026. Candidates must thoroughly go through the XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 before applying to the program. XLRI Jamshedpur will release the XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 along with the official notification. The XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 will primarily focus on key factors such as educational qualifications, age requirements, and academic performance in qualifying exams.
Properly knowing the XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 will also help you to avoid disqualification at later stages. It is important to know that even if a candidate successfully fills out the application process but fails to meet the XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026, the form will lead to cancellation. Therefore, you should know the XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 properly.
Also Read, XAT Exam Date 2026, Notification, Registration, Exam Fees
XAT Age Limit 2026
There is no age restriction for candidates who are applying for XAT 2026. Every candidate can easily apply to the XAT 2026 exam as long as they meet the other eligibility criteria, such as nationality and educational qualification.
Also Read, CAT Form Filling 2025, Documents Required, Form Fees, Steps
XAT Educational Qualification 2026
Candidates who are appearing on the XAT Exam 2026 must know the educational qualification listed below
- Candidates should hold a bachelor's degrees from a recognised university that is approved by the Government of India
- The minimum duration of the degree is three years.
- There is no minimum passing percentage required in graduation to be eligible for the XAT 2026 exam.
- Candidates must pass in all subjects and have a qualified degree to be considered eligible.
- Final-year students can also apply, but their admission will be cancelled if they fail any subjects.
- Foreign nationals, including NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), can apply through GMAT or GRE scores only.
- Candidates of any nationality are eligible, including NRIs and foreign nationals, though they must apply through GMAT scores (except for Indian nationals applying through XAT)
Also Read, XAT Registration 2026, Dates, Documents Required, Form Fees
XAT Eligibility Requirements for XLRI Courses
To apply for management programs at XLRI Jamshedpur through the XAT 2026 exam, candidates must meet specific XAT eligibility criteria 2026 based on the course they are applying to. Here is a detailed breakdown of the XAT eligibility requirements for each XLRI program:
1. Business Management (BM) & Human Resource Management (HRM)
- Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three years in any discipline from a recognised university or institution. Recognition can be by the central or state legislature, or the institute should be approved by AICTE.
- Final-year students are also eligible to apply, provided they complete their final examination.
- There is no minimum percentage requirement mentioned for graduation.
2. General Management Program (GMP)
- Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree of at least three years in any field from a recognised university, whether in India or abroad.
- Candidates must have been employed full-time after completing their graduation.
- A minimum of five years of full-time managerial or supervisory experience as of March 31, 2023, is mandatory.
- This work experience can come from the private sector, public sector, or even non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
- Work experience should be post-qualification and in a managerial/supervisory role.
Also Read, XAT Syllabus 2026, Download QA, DI, LR, GK Syllabus PDF
Who is NOT Eligible for XAT Exam?
XLRI Jamshedpur also states the XAT eligibility criteria 2026 for those who are not eligible for the XAT exam. Here are the guidelines who are not eligible to apply for XAT 2026
- Candidates who completed a 2 year bachelor’s degree or graduated in the 1980s.
- Applicants who fail to complete the registration fee payment within the specified deadline.
- Students whose final year examinations extend beyond June 2021.
- Candidates who have graduated from a non-recognized institute.
What is XAT Reservation Criteria 2026?
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026, conducted by XLRI Xavier School of Management, does not implement caste, category, or ethnicity-based reservations for admission to its management programs. However, there are important considerations related to seat allocation and reservation in XAT and its participating institutions:
1. No Caste-Based Reservation in XLRI
XLRI does not offer reservations for any of the following categories:
- Scheduled Castes (SC)
- Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- Other Backwards Classes (OBC)
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
All applicants are evaluated solely on a common XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 and merit-based admission process.
2. Reservation for Female Candidates
While XLRI does not provide reservations based on caste or community, it does allocate a certain percentage of seats for female candidates. This initiative is intended to encourage gender diversity in its management programs. The number of seats reserved may vary depending on the program and admission cycle.
3. No Category-Based Relaxation Application Fee
XAT does not offer any fee waivers or reductions for candidates from reserved categories. This means
- All applicants must pay the same application fee, regardless of their category (General/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD).
- No special concessions or relaxations are applicable for the form fee.
4. Reservation in Other XAT Participating Institutes
While XLRI does not follow caste-based reservations, other institutions that accept XAT scores may follow government-mandated reservation policies. These policies can include:
- Category-based reservations (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
- State domicile quotas
- PwD reservations
- Gender-based or management quota seats
XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Conclusion
The XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 serves as a crucial guideline for aspirants aiming to secure admission into top B-schools through the Xavier Aptitude Test. While the requirements have remained essentially unchanged over the years, candidates must still ensure they meet the academic qualifications and other conditions before applying.
There is no age limit, and even final-year students are eligible, provided they complete their degree by the specified deadline. Meeting the XAT eligibility criteria 2026 ensures a smooth application process and increases your chances of success. Stay updated with official notifications and prepare well to maximise your chances.
