XLRI 2026 GD/PI Slot Booking Underway After SOP Submission Phase

The Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur has officially transitioned to the Group Discussion and Personal Interview slot booking phase for the 2026-28 batch. Following the mandatory Statement of Purpose (SOP) submission deadline on February 4, 2026, shortlisted candidates are now selecting their preferred interview cities and times This report details the first-come, first-served reservation process, the specific requirements for BM and HRM programs, and the final interview schedule across major Indian cities. Aspirants are urged to lock their slots on the official XAT portal immediately to ensure their participation in the final selection round before the March 20 conclusion.

The Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur has initiated the critical GD/PI slot booking phase for its flagship management programs, following the successful conclusion of the SOP submission window. As of today, February 19, the institute is witnessing intense activity on its official admission portal as thousands of XAT-shortlisted candidates finalize their interview schedules. The slot reservation process, which began earlier this month, is a mandatory step for applicants aiming for the PGDM Business Management (BM) and Human Resource Management (HRM) programs. With the interviews already underway since February 15, the institute has emphasized that slots are being filled on a first-come, first-served basis, leaving late registrants with limited choices for dates and locations across the country.

Navigating the GD/PI Schedule and Reservation

The GD/PI slot booking is conducted exclusively through the official XAT portal, where candidates must log in with their XAT ID. The current cycle follows a rigorous timeline designed to conclude all personal evaluations by late March.

• Statement of Purpose: The SOP submission was a non-negotiable prerequisite; candidates who failed to upload their responses to the three program-specific questions by the February 4 deadline have been disqualified from the slot reservation process.
• City Selection: Shortlisted aspirants can choose from multiple interview hubs including Jamshedpur, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
• Double Program Applicants: Those shortlisted for both BM and HRM must book two separate slots, ideally within the same city, to avoid logistical conflicts during the interview dates.

The Selection Framework and Interview Components

XLRI’s admission policy remains holistic, ensuring that the GD/PI slot booking leads into an evaluation that goes beyond mere entrance scores. The SOP submission acts as a foundational document that panellists review during the personal interview.

• Weightage Distribution: While the XAT 2026 score holds a dominant 60% weightage, the GD/PI performance accounts for a substantial 25% of the final merit calculation.
• WAT and GD: The assessment day begins with a Written Ability Test (WAT) or Analytical Essay Writing, followed by a Group Discussion (GD) on the same contemporary business or social topic.
• The Interview Panel: Personal Interviews (PI) typically last 20–30 minutes, where experts gauge a candidate's ethical reasoning, professional fit, and the consistency of the data provided during the SOP submission phase.

Technical Guidelines for Slot Reservation

To ensure a glitch-free GD/PI slot booking, XLRI has deployed a robust server infrastructure on the admission dashboard. Candidates are advised to keep their digital credentials ready for instant access.

• No Modifications: Once a time slot is reserved and the confirmation page is generated, XLRI does not permit any changes to the interview date or city.
• Document Readiness: Aspirants must carry original academic transcripts, work experience certificates, and their XAT scorecard to the venue as part of the candidature verification process.
• First-Come Basis: Historically, popular morning slots and weekend dates are exhausted within minutes of the portal opening; however, as of February 19, few remaining slots in regional hubs are still available for slot reservation.

Conclusion

The ongoing GD/PI slot booking at XLRI represents the final administrative hurdle for MBA aspirants before the definitive assessment rounds. As of today, February 19, the momentum generated by the SOP submission phase has carried over into the live interview cycle, which is currently being held in various metropolitan centers. By securing a preferred slot, candidates can better manage their travel and preparation for the high-stakes WAT and PI sessions. The institute’s focus on ethical leadership and academic consistency, as reflected in their official selection criteria, remains the benchmark for this year's 2026-28 batch. Aspirants are strongly encouraged to visit the official XLRI admission portal to confirm their participation and download their interview call letters. This transparent and merit-based process ensures that only the most resilient and ethically grounded leaders join the ranks of India's oldest management school this coming June.

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