Candidates are encouraged to choose a test city near their present residence. Selecting a centre within reach not only simplifies reaching the centre on time but also minimises travel stress and expense. After you pick your exam city and submit your application you won't be able to change your centre. So make the choice thoughtfully because these will be your confirmed XAT 2026 exam centres from the list of XAT test cities released by XLRI.

Last year 34 new cities were incorporated bringing the number of test cities to 109 in India. All of these cities successfully organised the 2025 XAT exam on 5 Jan 2025. The same trend is likely to follow for XAT 2026 as well making these some of the most widely spread XAT centres in India.

How Can Candidates Pick Their XAT Exam Locations for 2026? 

While completing the XAT 2026 application form use the following simple steps to select your test centres. Many students also check the XAT exam centre list to plan their travel in advance -

1. Create an account on the official XAT website xatonline.in. 

2. Login and begin completing the application form.

3. When you get to the option of selecting test cities select a maximum of six cities from the list. This list is the official XAT exam centre catalogue for that year.

4. Rank these cities in the order of your choice beginning with the one that is most accessible to you.

5. Finish filling out the rest of the form for the XAT exam.

6. Pay the registration fee and submit the form for the exam after which your assigned XAT exam centers will appear in your dashboard.

Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing Exam Cities

• Always choose your current city or a nearby city as your first preference. These chosen XAT centres become final after submission.

• If your first choice test centre is already full you’ll be allotted a centre from your second choice which is common in busy XAT exam cities every year.

• After the admit card is issued you cannot change your centre

• XLRI has every right to allot exam centres and also to alter or cancel any centre in exceptional situations.

Can Candidates Change the XAT Exam Centre Later?

As per the rule you cannot change your test city after the admit card is issued. In exceptional and valid cases XLRI can make a change prior to admit card issue. If you have to ask for something:

• Emails should be sent to admis@xlri.ac.in or send via the login page's query tab.

• Add your XAT ID, father's name, birthdate, the city you originally selected and the new city you have chosen.

Note - XLRI has the last say over whether to approve or reject the proposal so students often wonder can I change XAT exam centre but it is rarely approved.

XAT 2026 Exam Centres List 

Note - To see the remaining cities out of 109 XAT exam locations refer to the official XAT 2026 website.

XAT 2026 Exam Day Instructions for Test Centre

To save time and avoid confusion on exam day follow the important instructions. These apply to all candidates including those carrying the XAT 2026 admit card or checking updates related to XAT admit card 2026 - 

• Go to the exam centre one day prior to verify the location and estimate the time it takes to travel.

• The test takers are told to bring at two hard copies of their admit card for the 2026 XAT exam.

• Carry a valid government photo ID such as Aadhaar, Passport, PAN etc.

• Arrive at the centre well in advance of the given reporting time.

• Entering late is not allowed. Thirty minutes prior to the exam's start the gates would be closed.

• Don't try to get in early without a valid authorization.

• Mobile phones, bags, books and other electronic devices are not allowed. There is no facility to store personal belongings in the centre.

• You must stay inside the examination hall until the invigilator instructs you to leave.