XLRI Jamshedpur has announced important updates for the **XAT 2026** exam, which is a national test for MBA admissions. Dr. Rahul K. Shukla, who is the Convenor for XAT and Admissions at XLRI, shared these details. Registration for XAT 2026 started early on **July 10, 2025**, and will close on **December 5, 2025**. This longer registration period is to help more students apply for the exam. The exam pattern and overall structure for XAT 2026 will be the same as last year. It will check how well students can think logically, make decisions, and solve problems with numbers.
Key Dates for XAT 2026 Registration
The registration for **XAT 2026** is open for a longer time this year. Students can apply from **July 10, 2025**, until **December 5, 2025**. This extended period ensures that more candidates get a chance to register for the exam.
| Event | Date |
| XAT 2026 Registration Start | July 10, 2025 |
| XAT 2026 Registration End | December 5, 2025 |
More Students Are Choosing XAT
Over the last five years, more and more students are taking the XAT exam. This shows that students trust the exam and the management courses offered by XLRI. In **2024**, about **1.35 lakh** students registered for XAT. This number grew to **1.42 lakh** students in **2025**. This increase highlights a growing interest in management education among young people in India.
Increase in Female Applicants
A notable trend is the steady rise in the number of female students taking XAT. This shows that more women now see management and leadership roles as suitable career paths. The students who apply for XAT come from various backgrounds. They include recent college graduates and professionals who have some work experience. These students also come from many different fields of study.
Diverse Academic Backgrounds
Most students who take management entrance exams traditionally come from engineering and commerce fields. This is still the case for XAT. However, XLRI has observed a clear increase in applications from students with backgrounds in liberal arts, economics, and psychology. These students often show interest in specific courses like PGDM (Human Resource Management), which values understanding people and behavior.
Why the Essay Section Was Removed
Last year, the essay writing part of the XAT exam was removed. Dr. Shukla explained that this change was made to make the selection process simpler and more consistent across all exam centers. The admission committees found that they could evaluate a candidate's writing and communication skills better during the personal interview and group discussion rounds. In these stages, students have to think and respond immediately, which gives a better idea of their true abilities than a pre-written essay.
Ensuring Fair and Secure Exams
XAT exams are held in over **100 cities** across India. XLRI works with technology partners to ensure that the exam is fair, secure, and uniform for everyone. These partners use special systems like real-time monitoring, secure data handling, and multiple checks to confirm identity. This ensures that every student, whether in a big city or a smaller town, takes the exam under the same fair conditions. Regular checks and constant monitoring help keep the exam safe and consistent.
Advanced Digital Security
The digital system for conducting XAT has become much more robust. The technical partner manages exams in many cities with high security. Students use their personal login details to access the test. Also, their fingerprints (biometric information) are verified at each test center to prevent anyone from impersonating another candidate. All test centers have video cameras that continuously record students during the exam. These recordings are sent to XLRI for review. A team then analyzes this data to find ways to further improve security measures for future exams.
Advice for XAT 2026 Candidates
Dr. Shukla offered specific advice for students preparing for **XAT 2026**. He highlighted the "Decision Making" section, which is unique to XAT. This section does not test memorized formulas or strategies. Instead, it checks a student's ability to make sound, logical, and balanced judgments. He advised students to approach each case study as if it were a real-life situation a manager would face. They should consider fairness, practicality, and the long-term effects of their decisions. The most successful candidates will be those who can balance ethical thinking with practical management solutions.
