XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026: Fee, Eligibility and Registration Changes

XAT 2027 registration opens on July 15, 2026 at xatonline.in — five days later than XAT 2026, which opened on July 10, 2025. The application fee of ₹2,200 and the eligibility criteria are unchanged for the 2027 cycle.

XLRI Jamshedpur conducts XAT on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI). XAT 2027 will be held on January 3, 2027, compared to January 4, 2026 for XAT 2026. The most notable new development for XAT 2027 is the early-registration city guarantee: students who register on the opening day, July 15, 2026, are guaranteed their first-preferred test city with confirmation by August 5, 2026. This article compares XAT 2027 and XAT 2026 across application fee, eligibility and the full registration process.

• XAT 2027 exam date: January 3, 2027 — one day earlier than XAT 2026 which was held on January 4, 2026.
• Registration opens July 15, 2026 and closes December 6, 2026 at xatonline.in.
• The application fee is ₹2,200 for XAT 2027 — unchanged from XAT 2026. An extra ₹200 per XLRI programme applies for those applying to BM or HRM.
• Eligibility is identical across both cycles: a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is required and final-year students can apply.
• New for XAT 2027: students registering on July 15, 2026 get their first-choice test city confirmed by August 5, 2026.
• XAT 2027 is accepted by 250+ B-Schools across 110+ test cities in 26 states.

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XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026: Key Date Comparison

The table below places all important dates for XAT 2027 and XAT 2026 side by side. The overall registration and exam timeline follows the same structure across both cycles with minor shifts in specific dates.

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XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026: Application Fee Comparison

The XAT application fee has not changed for 2027 — it remains ₹2,200, the same as XAT 2026. Students who apply to XLRI programmes (BM, HRM or GMP) pay an additional ₹200 per programme through the same registration form at xatonline.in. All fees are paid online and are non-refundable once submitted.

Students who want to be considered for XLRI Jamshedpur’s Business Management (BM) or Human Resource Management (HRM) programmes do not need a separate application. They select the programme during XAT registration itself and pay the ₹200 per programme at that stage. No additional form or portal is involved.

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XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for XAT 2027 are identical to XAT 2026. XLRI has not introduced any new requirements for the 2027 cycle. The table below lists all parameters for easy comparison.

Final-year students applying for XAT 2027 must complete their graduation by June 2027. If the degree is not completed by that deadline the admission offer may be cancelled even after clearing the exam and group discussion rounds. This condition is the same as XAT 2026 where the graduation completion deadline was June 2026.

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XAT 2027 vs XAT 2026: Registration Process and Steps

The step-by-step registration process for XAT 2027 follows the same structure as XAT 2026. Both cycles use xatonline.in as the single registration portal. The only procedural difference is the first-choice city guarantee introduced for early registrants in 2027.

Students should keep their Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets, graduation documents, a valid photo ID and work experience certificates (if any) ready before starting the form. The registration form does not allow major edits after payment so cross-check all details carefully before submitting.

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What is New in XAT 2027: Key Changes Over XAT 2026

XAT 2027 introduces one significant new benefit for early registrants and expands its test city network while keeping the fee and eligibility unchanged. The table below is a consolidated view of all changes and continuities between the two cycles.

The first-choice city guarantee is the most student-friendly update in XAT 2027. Registering on July 15, 2026 lets you plan travel and logistics months before the December registration deadline. XLRI also continues to offer mock tests and live webinars with XAT convenors through xatonline.in to help registered students prepare.

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