Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in any field from a government-approved university for at least three years to be eligible for the XAT 2026 exam. Students in their final year who plan to finish their degree by June 2026 are also welcome to apply. The XAT eligibility criteria have no minimum percentage criteria or age restrictions. It is not necessary to have work experience to apply for the XAT 2026 exam.
The date of the XAT 2026 exam is set for January 4, 2026, in an online CBT mode. The deadline for XAT 2026 registration is December 11, 2025. Review the XAT eligibility criteria 2026 before registering for the XAT 2026 exam.
Key Prerequisites for XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
One of the most student-friendly tests with minimal prerequisites is the XAT. Examine the four primary XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 listed below.
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A minimum three-year bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university or institution is required of candidates.
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Applications for the XAT 2026 exam are also open to those who are in their final year of education and anticipate finishing their degree by June 2026.
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Graduation does not require a minimum percentage of marks. You can apply for XAT as long as you have passed your graduation exam.
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Applying for the XAT exam does not require work experience.
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XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
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Criteria
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Details
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Education
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Must have a Bachelor’s degree (in any stream) from a recognized university
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Minimum Marks
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No minimum marks required
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Age Limit
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No age limit to apply
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Final Year Students
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Yes, final year students can also apply.
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Nationality
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Open to Indian and foreign candidates
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Work Experience
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Not mandatory, but may help in later stages (PI/GD)
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Related Searches :
Who Can't Take the XAT in 2026?
The XLRI lists the XAT eligibility criteria. The following applicants will not be able to apply for XAT due to the stated eligibility. The list is as follows:
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Grads from the 1980s or those with a two-year bachelor's degree.
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Candidates who don't pay their registration fees by the deadline.
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Applicants whose final test year won't conclude by June 2026.
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Applicants who received their degrees from unapproved universities.
What Educational Qualifications Are Needed for XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026?
All you need to be eligible for the XAT is a bachelor's degree. See additional information.
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A minimum three-year bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university or institution is required of candidates.
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Applications for XAT 2026 are also open to those who are in their final year of education and anticipate finishing their degree by June 2026.
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Graduation does not require a minimum percentage of marks. You can apply for XAT as long as you have passed your graduation exam.
Is there an age limit for XAT eligibility in 2026?
XLRI Jamshedpur does not specify an age limit for XAT eligibility criteria. For XAT 2026, there is no upper or lower age limit. Anyone who has graduated is eligible to apply. Because of this, taking the XAT exam is appropriate for both recent graduates and working professionals.
Is Work Experience Necessary for XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026?
The XAT exam does not require any prior work experience. You don't need any prior work experience to apply to the XAT 2026 exam.
Nonetheless, certain MBA programs could have minimal requirements for job experience. You must verify it on the websites of the relevant institutions.
XAT Eligibility Requirements 2026 for CA/CS/ICWA
You can apply for the XAT exam if you have earned a CA, CS, or ICWA qualification.
XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Foreigners
For XAT 2026, foreign nationals must have a recognized bachelor's degree (three years or more), apply through GMAT or XAT, and submit supporting documentation such as a passport or visa. There is no maximum age limit.
Download the XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 PDF.
You can download the XAT eligibility criteria 2026 PDF from the XAT official website - xatonline.in. All of the information provided in this document is included here. You can get the XAT eligibility criteria 2026 PDF document at any time by downloading it from the URL below.
How Can I Verify My XAT Exam Eligibility?
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Go to xatonline.in, the official website.
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Check the site for the most recent XAT 2026 announcement or information bulletin.
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To download the PDF file, click the link.
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Navigate to the eligibility section after opening the PDF.
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Go over the requirements for age, education, and nationality.
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Before applying for the test, confirm that you fulfil all the XAT eligibility criteria 2026.
XAT 2026 Reservation Policy
There is no caste, category, or gender-based reservation policy for the Xavier Aptitude Test 2026. Every applicant takes the test using the same standards. Following the test, however, institutions that accept XAT scores—like XLRI and other participating colleges—may adhere to their own reservation policies in accordance with government regulations. During the admissions process, these regulations may contain reserved seats for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or PwD categories.
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Category
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Policy Details
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Caste-Based Reservation
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XAT itself does not implement caste-based reservations.
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Gender-Based Reservation
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Some participating institutes may reserve seats for female candidates to promote gender diversity.
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Disability Quota (PwD)
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Varies by institute; candidates should check individual B-school policies.
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Other Categories
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Reservation policies for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and other categories are determined by the individual institutes, not by XAT.
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Important Dates for XAT 2026 Exam
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The XAT Admit Card 2026 was released by the XLRI official website on December 25. The XAT Hall Ticket is now available for candidates to download.
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Registrations for the XAT 2026 exam started on July 10, 2025, and closed on December 5, 2025.
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The date of the XAT 2026 online exam is set for January 4, 2026.
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Candidates should begin practicing XAT Previous Year Papers and thoroughly review the XAT Syllabus.
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The Xavier Aptitude Test, another name for the XAT Exam, is a national management entrance exam used to grant admission to XAT Colleges.
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There are three steps in the selection process: an admission exam, a group discussion, and an in-person interview.
Conclusion
Candidates must have a minimum three-year bachelor's degree in any field from a government-recognized university to be eligible for the XAT 2026 exam. Students in their final year who plan to finish their degree by June 2026 are also welcome to apply. The XAT exam has no minimum percentage criteria or age restrictions. It is not necessary to have work experience to apply for the XAT exam.
FAQs for XAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
Q1. What are the XAT eligibility criteria 2026?
The XAT Exam has a number of requirements for eligibility. For instance, a person needs to have completed their bachelor's degree or be in the final year of their studies.
Q2. Can someone who passed the 12th grade apply for the XAT 2026 Exam?
No, XAT is only available to applicants who want to continue their studies beyond a bachelor's degree. A graduation certification or a continuing third-year college degree are the prerequisites for applying to XAT.
Q3. What are the requirements for the XAT 2026 Exam?
An applicant must have a bachelor's degree in any subject from an Indian government-approved university to be eligible for the XAT. Their bachelor's degree should last at least three years. Alternatively, the applicant must be enrolled in the third year of a bachelor's degree at any government-approved university.
Q4. What is the XAT 2026 Exam age limit?
The XAT exam does not have an age restriction.
Q5. Are foreign nationals eligible to apply for XAT?
Through their GMAT or GRE results, foreign nationals, NRIs, people of Indian descent, etc., can enroll for XLRI courses.