XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria - Check Age Limit, Marks Required, No of Attempts, Important Factor

Updated By Vandana Thakur on 06 Oct, 2025 11:42

Registration Starts On July 10, 2025

XAT 2026 eligibility criteria require students to pass their bachelor's degree from a recognised university. There is no age limit to apply for the exam and foreign nationals must clear the GMAT to qualify.

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XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria requires students to have a bachelor's degree in any discipline to be eligible to apply for the XAT 2026 exam. No minimum age has been specified for the candidates aspiring to appear for the XAT 2026 exam. Before applying for it, candidates are recommended to know the XAT eligibility criteria 2026 so that the application doesn't get rejected.

Students who qualify for the XAT 2026 eligibility will only be allowed to fill out the XAT 2026 application form within the specified deadlines. Those who do not qualify for the exams will be disqualified from the admission rounds. XAT 2026 eligibility criteria have remained the same over the years. No changes in the XAT eligibility criteria 2026 have been reported so far by XLRI. Students eager to know more about the XAT 2026 eligibility criteria can go through the detailed eligibility, age criteria etc. 

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Detailed XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The XAT eligibility criteria is the minimum criteria that students must meet for admission to the participating colleges. Check the highlights of XAT 2026 eligibility criteria below:

  • Candidates should have done their bachelor's degree of a minimum of 3 years duration from any recognised university or institute.

  • Those candidates who will complete their final year examination by the stipulated deadline may also appear for the XAT 2026 exam.

  • Only Indian, Dubai, and Kathmandu candidates can apply directly for XAT 2026. While NRI and Foreign candidates may apply through the GMAT score.

  • There is no minimum percentage in a Bachelor's Degree for the XAT Exam 2026.

  • There is no age limit prescribed to appear in the XAT 2026 exam.

XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Final Year Students

Candidates who are studying in the final year of their degree courses or are awaiting their final year results are also eligible to apply for XAT 2026. Such candidates can be granted provisional admission through XAT 2026. However, such candidates will be required to provide their educational certificates and mark sheets before the commencement of the programme or meet any other criteria specified by their chosen college.

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XAT 2026 Reservation Policy

XAT 2026 does not have a caste-based reservation policy for any candidates. SC, ST, OBC, PwD, and EWS candidates applying for XAT 2025 have to apply for unreserved seats in XLRI colleges. However, other colleges accepting XAT 2026 Scores may specify or follow their reservation policy. Candidates must confirm the college details before applying.

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XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for NRIs and Foreign Candidates

NRI and Foreign students who wish to take admission to XLRI must apply through their GMAT scores. Candidates must note that the candidate must have appeared for GMAT between December 1, 2023, and December 31, 2025, for their score to be considered valid. Additionally, NRI and Foreign candidates will have to register for XAT 2026 as well but they will not be required to appear for the exam.

XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for XLRI Courses

After appearing for XAT 2026, candidates have the option to apply for admission to 11 member colleges of XLRI. Let’s check out the course-wise eligibility criteria and determining factors required for the programs offered by XLRI.

Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM)

  • Candidates interested in taking admission to BM and HRM must have a valid XAT scorecard along with a 3-year Bachelor's degree from any university or institute recognized by the Central or State Legislature or from an AICTE-approved institute.

  • Candidates with a Bachelor's degree in a management course will be a plus point at the time of the XAT 2026 selection process.

  • Candidates who are completing their final exams by June 10, 2026, are also eligible to apply.

  • The total number of seats offered by XLRI in these two programs is 180 each.

General Management Programme (GMP)

  • GMP candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in India or 5 years of managerial/ supervisory experience as of March 31, 2026, in an organization from the public, private or non-governmental sector.

  • Candidates should have full-time work experience after completing their bachelor's degree.

  • Candidates can apply through either XAT 2026 or GMAT scores.

  • 180 seats in the one-year GMP program are available for aspirants.

Also Read:XLRI Jamshedpur Selection Criteria

XAT 2026 Eligibility: XLRI Jamshedpur Vs XLRI Delhi Vs XIMB Bhubaneswar

Given below is a comparison of the campus-wise eligibility criteria for XAT 2026.

XLRI Jamshedpur

XLRI Delhi

XIMB Bhubaneswar

PGDM (HRM)/ PGDM (BM)

  • Min. 3 years recognized bachelor's degree or equivalent.

  • Indian candidates can apply through XAT. NRI/ Foreign Candidates can apply through GMAT or XAT.

PGDM (GMP)

  • Min. 3 years recognized bachelor's degree or equivalent.
  • Min. 5 years of managerial/ supervisory experience by March 31, 2026.

MBA  - Business Management

  • Min. 3-years recognized bachelor's degree or equivalent in any stream.

  • 55% aggregate marks in the qualifying course.

Also Read:

XAT 2026 Cutoff for Non-XAMI CollegesXAT 2026 Cutoff for XLRI Delhi
SP Jain XAT Cutoff 2026Welingkar XAT Cutoff 2026
XAT 2026 Colleges with No Sectional CutoffXAT 2026 Cutoff for XLRI Jamshedpur

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FAQs about XAT Eligibility

Do I require work experience for admission to XLRI Jamshedpur?

Yes, you are required to have a minimum of 5 years of managerial or supervisory experience in professional sectors like public, private, or non-governmental for admission to the PGDM General Management programme offered at XLRI Jamshedpur.

Can students from the Arts background fill out the XAT 2026 application form?

Yes, candidates from the Arts background fill out the XAT 2026 application form. Candidates must have passed a Bachelor's degree (10+2+3) or equivalent in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum course duration of 3 years to become eligible for XAT 2026.

How many times can I appear for the XAT exam?

There is no limit to the number of times you can appear for the XAT exam. No maximum number of attempts has been specified by XLRI for a candidate taking the XAT exam. Candidates have the privilege to appear for the XAT exam every year provided they meet all the minimum eligibility criteria.

What is the minimum eligibility criteria for MBA Business Management at XIMB Bhubaneswar?

The minimum eligibility criteria for MBA Business Management at XIMB Bhubaneswar is a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline with a minimum course duration of 3 years. They must also have obtained a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in the qualifying course.

Is XAT 2026 eligibility criteria same for all the courses offered at XLRI?

The XAT 2026 eligibility criteria are the same for all the courses offered at XLRI. These eligibility criteria and XLRI admission criteria are similar. Candidates must complete 3 years of Bachelor's degrees in any stream from any recognized university in India. However, some courses may have additional eligibility criteria which may vary but the basic ones are the same.

Is the eligibility criteria of XAT 2026 the same for all categories?

Yes, the eligibility criteria for XAT 2026 will remain the same for all categories. There is no reservation policy set by the conducting body in the XAT examination. Students from reserved categories and physically handicapped students also need to fulfill similar eligibility criteria as others.

Is internship/ Articleship counted as work experience for XAT 2026 exam eligibility?

Internships and Articleships are not counted as work experience for XAT 2026 eligibility. Therefore, freshers who do not have any work experience can easily apply for the XAT exam. Not having work experience will not be a discredit for them.

What is the minimum qualifying marks for XAT 2026?

There are no minimum qualifying marks for XAT 2026. Any candidate who has completed a bachelor's degree may apply for XAT 2026. Students who are in the final year of their bachelor's degree can also apply for the XAT 2026. Candidates with master's degrees are also eligible to apply for the exam.

Is the work experience before graduation counted for XAT 2026 eligibility?

No, the general eligibility criteria is the same for XLRI and XAT. Candidates must have scored good marks in XAT to get admission at XLRI. However, while shorting candidates for interviews XLRI may give preference to students who have work experience and good academic performance. 

What is the eligibility criteria for XAT 2026?

Candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree examination from any recognized institution to be eligible for XAT 2026. Foreign and NRI students can apply through GMAT and GRE scores. The XAT conducting body does not set any minimum or maximum age criteria for admission. Neither any work experience is required.

By registering and paying for XAT 2026, am I eligible for XLRI and other Associate Member Institutes?

Yes by registering and paying for XAT 2026, you will be eligible to sit for the XAT exam which is a requirement for XLRI and other associated institutes. However, that does not guarantee admission. Each institution independently decides the weightage that has to be given to each of the test components based on its needs. XLRI does not play any role in the selection of candidates in other institutes.

What is the minimum age limit to apply for XAT 2026?

There is no age limit to apply for XAT 2026. Generally, the exam is taken by students who are above 20 years, thus, a bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for the examination. Besides, there is no upper age limit also to appear for XAT 2026.

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