XAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Qualification, Age Limit & Program-wise Requirements
Although all graduates are eligible there are certain terms under which some applicants will not be allowed to sit for the exam. Also, the exam has set a certain reservation policy according to institutional policies. XAT 2026 scores will be used by various top Indian B-schools making the test crucial and popular among the MBA aspirants.
XAT 2026 Eligibility
In order to fit into the XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 candidates must meet all the conditions mentioned by the official authority. Next, candidates can proceed by filling the application form and checking their preparation to attempt the exam.
XAT Eligibility Requirements for XLRI Programs in 2026
Below are the eligibility requirements for each XLRI course:
1. PGDM in General Management (GM)
Applicants should have a minimum bachelor's degree of three years' duration from a recognised national or international university.
Applicants should have at least three years of full-time post-graduation work experience in a managerial capacity. (Part-time work and internships do not qualify).
XAT scores are accepted by the program and GMAT for foreign nationals. For GMAT the test should have been taken from 1 December 2023 to 31st December 2025.
The course fee for the General Management PGDM would be ₹25.9 lakhs altogether.
2. PGDM in Human Resource Management (HRM)
A 3-year undergraduate degree from an accredited college is required of candidates.
International students and NRIs are also eligible if they possess a valid GMAT score.
The cost of this course for one year is ₹30.6 lakhs.
3. PGDM in Business Management (BM)
Applicants to the Business Management course should have a three year bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
Similar to the HRM course foreign nationals and NRIs are also eligible with a valid GMAT score.
It is not necessary to have work experience to be admitted.
The course fee for one year is ₹30.6 lakhs.
Which candidates are not permitted to appear in the XAT exam?
Such candidates who meet all the criteria laid below are prohibited from appearing in the XAT Exam.
If the candidate pays the XAT exam fee late.
Candidates who are unable to finish their graduation on or before 12 June 2026.
Candidates possessing a graduation degree from an unrecognised university.
Policy for Reservations
XLRI does not provide any type of caste or category-based relief to get admission in their management programs using XAT.
Candidates who fall under one of the reserved categories (ST, SC, OBC or PwD) are not eligible for a fee reduction.
The application fee is the same for all candidates whether they are from the reserved category or not and that is ₹2,200.
Participating universities can provide some reservations to the reserved categories. Hence, candidates must initially pass through their aspired universities'.
Colleges Accepting XAT Exam 2026 Scores
FAQs
All graduate candidates from any discipline (minimum 3 years duration) who have graduated from an approved university are eligible to apply for XAT 2026. Even students who would be graduating by June 2026 are also eligible.
No, XLRI does not have any minimum marks or percentage in graduation to be qualified for XAT 2026.
Yes, NRI and foreign applicants are eligible to apply for admission based on GMAT scores.
Applicants with backlogs or partial graduation at the time of applying (and failing to clear it prior to the end of the admission process) could be disqualified. Furthermore applicants who hold degrees that are not UGC/AIU recognised will also be disqualified.
