Are you eligible for the XAT exam in 2026? Knowing the XAT eligibility criteria is your first checkpoint before applying. It ensures you're academically and procedurally ready for one of India’s toughest MBA entrance exams.
There are some of the important points that you need to keep in mind, such as your educational background, age criteria, work experience, category, etc.
Educational Requirements for XAT examination
For the XAT exam you need an undergraduate (UG) degree in any discipline from a recognized university and the university must be established by an act of the Central or State legislature, or be deemed under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. As you already know, an MBA is a Post graduation(PG) course, so it's mandatory to have an undergraduate degree.
As for your marks, if you come form General/OBC/EWS category then you will need a minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA, as for SC/ST/PWD category, Minimum 45% marks are required. For NRI/Foreign Nationals it will be the same as general category students that have a minimum 50% marks or equivalent.
If you are in your final year of under graduation then you can give the XAT exam in the result awaited category. It means you are eligible for the XAT exam, even if you are in your final year of graduation but they must complete their degree and secure the required marks before the admission deadline (usually by June 30, 2026). Because the marks of the XAT exam scorecard are valid for a certain period.
If you have completed your education from distance learning then you must keep in mind that the institute is recognized by UGC such as IGNOU. You also have to submit an equivalence certificate if required.
Age Criteria
There is no upper age limit for XAT examination, so candidates of all age groups can apply for this. There is an age restriction for minimum age, your age should be 21 by June 30, 2026 to be eligible. If your minimum age is less than required then you can try giving this exam again next year.
Work experience requirements for XAT exam
You do not need work experience to apply for this exam, because fresh graduates are eligible. It is preferred to have 2-5 years of experience but this is not mandatory. The work experience helps students in the selection process of top institutes but as of now institutes prioritise performance rather than experience.
There are some institutes that want experience in specific programs such as XLRI that wants HR-related experience in the HRM program but it accepts freshers also. XIMB also has a similar pattern because work experience adds value to the institute as well as in their career.
Category Eligibility
If you are from the general category then you must have 50% marks in your bachelor’s degree and you do not need any extra documentation. But if you are from OBC, EWS, or SC/ST category then with graduation qualification, you will be needing extra documentation such as category certificate or income certificate.
All Institutes give reservation for OBC, EWS, SC, ST, and PWD category, the percentage of reservation can be different for each category.
XAT exam eligibility criteria for Foreign students
Foreign students must hold a Degree that must be recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). An equivalence certificate may be needed and they will need additional documents such as passport, visa.
Same rules will apply to NRI Candidates as Indian applicants but they must provide valid passport, visa, and NRI status proof. Some institutes offer separate NRI quotas and fee structures.
As an foreign/NRI students you required following documents:
- Academic Proof
- Bachelor's degree/provisional certificate
- All semester mark sheets
- Class 10 & 12 certificates
- Migration certificate (if applicable)
- Identity Proof: Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, or any government photo ID
Initially your documents will be reviewed via automated systems and in the final step you will have a physical verification at the time of admission. At the time of admission you need to present your original documents. Only after verification of your documents, you will be able to get your admission into an institution.
Common mistakes happen in admission
Many times students get incorrect CGPA to Percentage conversion, so keep that in mind. Also you must check the expiry of your category certificate because for OBC and EWS category, the category certificate expires after a certain period of time. OBC certificates expire after 2-3 years and EWS certificates expire in 1-2 years. So apply for a new category certificate before your admission.
Note: if your admission is near and you are unable to make a category certificate on time then you need to submit an application or affidavit to the respective institute for your admission. This will give you additional time to apply for your category certificate.
If discrepancies arise then you can contact the respective institute’s admission cell, they will provide clarifications.
Final Note
Meeting the XAT 2026 eligibility criteria is more than a formality—it's your ticket to one of India’s most prestigious MBA programs. Stay organized, prepare early, and ensure every document is accurate and valid. Keep multiple copies and digital backups, so that you do not have missing documents at the time of your interview.
Let eligibility be your foundation, not your hurdle.