XAT 2025 closes registration at record 1.42 lakh applicants — surge in female participation highlights rising diversity in MBA aspirants

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026 registration closed on December 5, 2025, setting a new record with 1.42 lakh applicants. This significant surge, up from 1.35 lakh last year, signals intensified competition for prestigious MBA/PGDM programs at XLRI and over 160 B-schools. The most notable trend is the consistent and encouraging rise in female participation, driving diversity in management education. Aspirants must now focus intently on the upcoming January 4, 2026, exam date.

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026, the mandatory entrance examination for admission into flagship programs at XLRI Jamshedpur and a gateway to over 160 top B-schools across India, concluded its registration on December 5, 2025, achieving an unprecedented registration figure of 1.42 lakh applicants. This record number confirms XAT's growing relevance and trust among MBA aspirants, particularly in a highly competitive job market where a specialized management degree offers a significant Return on Investment (ROI). The total count marks a substantial increase from the 1.35 lakh candidates who registered in the previous cycle, further escalating the competition for coveted seats in programs like XLRI’s PGDM-BM and PGDM-HRM.

The surge in application volume is driven by multiple factors, including the stability of the economy, strong placement records from XAT-accepting institutions, and the exam's unique focus on Decision Making (DM), a skill highly valued by modern recruiters. Most significantly, this year’s registration trends highlight a major positive shift: a sustained and encouraging rise in female participation. This trend is fostering greater gender diversity in the management education pipeline, reflecting a cultural and academic shift where more women are confidently choosing management and leadership as viable career pathways. The next critical date for these aspirants is the XAT 2026 exam, scheduled for Sunday, January 4, 2026.

I. The Record Registration: Impact on Competition and Cutoffs

The record-breaking registration figure of 1.42 lakh candidates for XAT 2026 directly translates to a heightened competitive environment for every seat offered by participating institutes, notably XLRI.

• Intensified Race for XLRI: The increase in the candidate pool generally necessitates higher overall and sectional cutoffs for interview calls from premier B-schools. For XLRI's PGDM-BM program, the overall cutoff is typically around the 95-96 percentile, with the PGDM-HRM program slightly lower at approximately 92-93 percentile.
• Wider B-school Acceptance: The demand for the XAT score is also fueled by its acceptance by a wide network of high-repute institutions, including MICA Ahmedabad, IMT Ghaziabad, GIM Goa, TAPMI Manipal, and BIMTECH Greater Noida. The cutoffs for these colleges typically range between the 80th and 90th percentile.
• Decision Making (DM) as the Differentiator: The XAT exam is uniquely structured with a dedicated Decision Making section, which tests ethical judgment and logical prioritisation. Aspirants must master this section, as clearing its often strict sectional cutoff is mandatory for securing calls, even with a strong overall percentile.

II.  Encouraging Gender and Academic Diversity

The most heartening takeaway from the XAT 2026 data is the continued growth in female participation, a trend actively supported by top B-schools to enrich the classroom environment and future corporate leadership.

• Fostering Gender Parity: The rising proportion of women applicants signifies an increasing interest in management careers across diverse academic streams. Institutes like XLRI have historically set slightly lower sectional and overall cutoffs for female candidates, particularly in the competitive PGDM-BM program, as a measure to encourage gender diversity in the batch.
• Rise of Non-Engineering Backgrounds: Alongside gender, there has been a noticeable increase in candidates from non-engineering backgrounds, such as Liberal Arts, Economics, and Psychology. This shift is particularly evident in applications for PGDM (Human Resource Management - HRM) programs, which place a high value on people-centric and behavioral skills.
• The XLRI Diversity Focus: XLRI's selection process is renowned for its commitment to diversity. The varying sectional cutoffs based on gender and academic background (Engineer/Non-Engineer) demonstrate a strategic approach to building a heterogeneous class, promoting diverse perspectives in future business leaders.

III. Final Preparation Strategy for the Exam Day

With the registration window closed, XAT aspirants must now channel all their energy into the final, intensive phase of exam preparation leading up to January 4, 2026.

• Mastering the XAT Pattern: Candidates must focus heavily on the unique aspects of the XAT exam, specifically the Decision Making and Verbal and Logical Ability (VALR) sections, which are known for their challenging nature and subjective complexity. Mock tests replicating the XAT format are essential for pacing and strategy development.
• Current Affairs and General Knowledge: While the General Knowledge (GK) section does not count towards the overall percentile for interview calls, preparing for it and for Essay Writing (if applicable to the post-exam process) is crucial for the final interview stage. Staying updated on global and Indian business, economic, and political news is non-negotiable.
• Admit Card and Logistics: The XAT Admit Card is tentatively scheduled for release on December 20, 2025. Aspirants must download it immediately and check their allocated test city, as the exam is conducted in over 100 cities nationwide. Planning travel logistics in advance is vital to avoid any last-minute stress.

The record registration for XAT 2026, particularly the surge in female participation, underscores the strong and evolving demand for high-quality management education in India. The competition will be intense, demanding not just raw intelligence but a well-rounded and strategically executed preparation plan. For all aspirants, the final countdown to the January 4, 2026, exam has begun, marking the single most important phase of their journey. Leverage the next few weeks with focused mock tests and sectional practice, particularly in Decision Making, to convert your XAT registration into a seat at a top B-school.

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