XAT 2025 Registration Underway; XLRI Expands Test Centers to 113 Cities for Enhanced Accessibility

XAT 2025 registration is open till Dec 10, 2025, for the Jan 5, 2026 exam. XLRI has expanded test centers to 113 cities, adding 34 new locations for aspirant convenience.

For aspiring management professionals eyeing admissions into XLRI Jamshedpur and other premier B-schools, the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2025 registration process is currently in full swing. XLRI Jamshedpur, the conducting body for XAT, has confirmed the registration period and a significant expansion in the number of test centers, aiming to provide greater convenience and accessibility to candidates across the nation.

The official notification for XAT 2025 was released earlier, with the registration window having commenced on July 15, 2025. This provides a substantial period for applicants to complete their submissions, leading up to the examination scheduled for Sunday, January 5, 2026.

Expanded Test Center Network:

In a notable move to accommodate the growing number of applicants and improve geographical reach, XLRI has substantially increased the number of XAT test cities. For XAT 2025, the exam will now be conducted in 113 cities across India, a significant jump that includes the addition of 34 new test cities. This expansion aims to reduce travel burdens for candidates, particularly those from smaller towns and remote areas.

Some of the newly added XAT exam cities for 2025 include Ajmer, Aligarh, Anantapur, Arrah, Baddi, Bareilly, Bhagalpur, Bikaner, Bilaspur, Chikkaballapur, Davanagere, Dhenkanal, Hazaribagh, Hisar, Jodhpur, Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Kalyani, Karimnagar, Kolhapur, Kurukshetra, Mehsana, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Muzaffarpur, Nanded, Patiala, Salem, Shimla, Sikar, Ujjain, and Vellore.

Key Dates and Application Details:

• Registration Start Date: July 15, 2025
• Registration End Date: December 10, 2025 (extended deadline)
• Admit Card Download: December 20, 2025 onwards (tentative)
• XAT 2025 Exam Date: January 5, 2026 (2:00 PM to 5:30 PM)
• Result Announcement: Third week of January 2026 (tentative)

Candidates eligible for XAT 2025 must hold a recognized Bachelor's degree of minimum three years duration or equivalent in any discipline. Final year students completing their final examination by June 12, 2026, may also apply.

The application fee for XAT 2025 is INR 2,200. Candidates applying for XLRI programs will need to pay an additional fee of INR 200 per program. The application process is entirely online and can be completed by visiting the official XAT website, xatonline.in. Applicants are advised to carefully fill out the form, upload necessary documents (photo, signature), and select up to two preferred test cities in order of preference.

XAT is known for its unique exam pattern, which includes sections like Decision Making, apart from Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. A concise Essay Writing section is typically evaluated during the subsequent interview rounds. Aspirants are encouraged to utilize the extended registration period to prepare thoroughly for this comprehensive examination.