XAT 2026 Registration Started; Important Instructions and What’s New in XAT Exam

XAT 2026 registration cum application process has started from today. XLRI Jamshedpur announced the XAT exam schedule yesterday and the application link was made live today. XAT aspirants must check this article for registration related guidelines and changes in the exam.

XAT 2026 registration started

XAT 2026 registration process has started. MBA aspirants can apply for the national level entrance exam from today till December 5, 2025. The XAT application form 2026 is available at xatonline.in website. Candidates can fill the form by creating a login ID. XAT 2026 exam will be conducted on January 4, 2026 from 2 pm to 3 pm and the interesting part about it is that this year there will be no sectional time limit. Yes, according to the official website, XAT 2026 will not have sectional time limit, it will only have overall time limit of 180 minutes. Check below a few key changes in XAT exam.

What’s New in XAT 2026 Exam

1. Candidates can choose only 2 test cities for exam centre allotment
2. There will be no sectional time limit
3. There will be only overall time limit
4. Candidates will be able to toggle between sections
5. XAT application fee remains unchanged

Last year, XAT exam had sectional time limit of 170 minutes and 10 minutes. The XAT question paper was divided into two parts- Part 1 comprised Decision Making, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude (170 minutes) and Part 2 comprised GK section (10 minute). Due to sectional time limit, candidates could not toggle between Part 1 and Part 2.

Apart from this change in the XAT exam pattern, there is a change in the test city limit too. Earlier, candidates could select 6 cities for test centre allotment, but this year candidates can select only 2 test cities in the XAT 2026 application form.

XAT 2026 Registration: Important Instructions

Those planning to appear for the exam, must complete the XAT 2026 registration and application process by December 5, 2025. Check below key instructions for filling up the XAT registration form:

• XAT 2026 application form is to be filled at xatonline.in website
• The XAT fee if INR 2200 is to be paid before the application last date
• The fee payment can be made by using Debit Cards (RuPay / Visa / Master Card / Maestro), Credit Cards, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards/ Mobile Wallets.
• On successful completion of the transaction, an e-Receipt will be generated. Non-generation of 'E-Receipt' indicates PAYMENT FAILURE. Candidates must check if the amount has been debited or not. If not, then candidates are advised to login again using their registered Email ID and Password and repeat the process of payment.
• If the amount is deducted, then candidates must wait for 24 hours for generation of E-receipt. If the E-receipt is still not generated, they must contact XAT helpdesk as well as bank helpdesk for assistance.
• Candidates must take a printout of the e-Receipt and XAT application form for future reference.
• The passport size photo must be recent and in colour. Ensure that the size of the scanned image should be within 1MB. Caps and dark glasses are not allowed. Religious headgear is allowed but it must not cover the face.

XAT 2026 Registration: Watch Video

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