XAT Exam Centres 2026: The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2026, conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, is one of the most important MBA entrance exams in India. Every year, thousands of aspirants appear for XAT to secure admission to top B-schools such as XLRI, XIMB, IMT, TAPMI, and several other prestigious institutes.
One of the most crucial aspects of the exam process is the selection of XAT exam centres. Choosing the right test city can help candidates avoid unnecessary travel stress and focus entirely on exam performance. This blog provides a detailed overview of XAT Exam Centers 2026, including the complete list of test cities, centre allotment rules, and important guidelines candidates must follow.
Also Check – XAT Exam Analysis 2026
Table of Contents
XAT Exam Centres 2026: Overview
XAT 2026 will be conducted across multiple cities in India, as officially announced by XLRI. Candidates can select up to six preferred test cities while filling out the XAT application form.
The final allotment of the XAT exam centre is done by the exam authorities based on:
- Candidate’s city preferences
- Seat availability
- Administrative feasibility
It is important to note that XLRI reserves the right to allot a test centre different from the candidate’s first preference, if required.
Also Check: Preparation Tips for XAT 2026
Complete List of XAT Exam Centres 2026 (Test Cities)
Below is the official list of XAT Exam Centres 2026. Candidates are advised to go through the list carefully and plan travel arrangements.
| Agra | Darbhanga | Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) | Rajahmundry |
| Ahmedabad | Davanagere | Kalyani | Rajkot |
| Ajmer | Dehradun | Kannur | Ranchi |
| Aligarh | Delhi-NCR | Kanpur | Roorkee |
| Allahabad | Dhanbad | Karimnagar | Rourkela |
| Ambala | Dhenkanal | Kolhapur | Salem |
| Amravati | Dibrugarh | Kolkata | Sambalpur |
| Amritsar | Durgapur/Asansol | Kota | Shimla |
| Anantapur | Ernakulam | Kottayam | Shillong |
| Arrah | Gandhinagar | Kurnool | Sikar |
| Aurangabad City (Maharashtra) | Goa | Kurukshetra | Siliguri |
| Baddi | Gorakhpur | Lucknow | Surat |
| Balasore | Guwahati | Madurai | Tejpur |
| Bareilly | Gwalior | Mangalore | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Bhatinda | Haldwani | Mehsana | Tiruchirappalli |
| Bhagalpur | Hazaribagh | Moradabad | Tirupathi |
| Bhilai Nagar | Hisar | Muzaffarnagar | Tiruvallur |
| Bhopal | Hooghly | Muzaffarpur | Udaipur |
| Bhubaneswar | Hubballi (Hubli) | Mumbai | Udupi |
| Bikaner | Hyderabad | Mysuru (Mysore) | Ujjain |
| Bilaspur | Indore | Nagpur | Vadodara |
| Bengaluru | Jabalpur | Naharlagun | Varanasi |
| Berhampur | Jaipur | Nanded | Vellore |
| Chandigarh/Mohali | Jalandhar | Nashik | Vijayawada |
| Chennai | Jammu | Patiala | Visakhapatnam |
| Chikkaballapur | Jamshedpur | Patna | |
| Coimbatore | Jodhpur | Pune | |
| Cuttack | Jorhat | Raipur |
How to Choose XAT Exam Centre Preferences?
During the XAT 2026 registration process, candidates were allowed to select up to six preferred test cities while filling out the application form. The selection of preferences played an important role in determining the final exam centre allotment.
While choosing their preferences, candidates typically considered the following factors:
- Selecting the nearest and most accessible cities to reduce travel fatigue on exam day.
- Preferring cities with better transport connectivity for easier commuting.
- Avoiding distant locations unless nearby options were unavailable.
- Filling all six city preferences carefully to increase the likelihood of allotment in or near the preferred location.
Choosing exam centre preferences strategically helps ensure a smoother exam-day experience and reduces last-minute travel-related stress.
XAT Exam Centres 2026 Allotment Rules
The allotment of XAT exam centres is carried out by the exam authorities based on candidate preferences and availability. Important points related to the XAT 2026 exam centre allotment are as follows:
- XAT exam centres are allotted based on the preferences selected during registration, subject to seat availability at each centre.
- Once an exam centre is allotted, requests for change of centre are generally not entertained.
- The complete exam centre details, including centre address, reporting time, and test slot, are mentioned on the XAT admit card 2026.
- Candidates are advised to reach the exam centre well before the gate closing time to complete security checks and verification formalities.
XAT Admit Card 2026 and Exam Centre Details
The XAT Admit Card 2026 is a mandatory document for entry to the examination centre. Candidates can download the admit card from the official XAT website once it is released.
The admit card contains crucial exam centre-related information, including:
- Exact exam centre name and address
- Reporting time and test slot
- Candidate’s roll number and exam-day instructions
Candidates must carefully verify all exam centre details mentioned on the XAT admit card and plan their travel accordingly. It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid original photo ID to the exam centre. Entry will not be permitted without these documents.
Note: Any discrepancy in exam centre details should be reported to the XAT authorities immediately through the official helpdesk.
XAT Exam Day Guidelines for XAT Centres
Candidates appearing for XAT 2026 must follow these exam centre guidelines:
- Carry a printed copy of the XAT admit card with a passport-size photograph pasted.
- Carry a valid original photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence).
- Electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, and Bluetooth devices are strictly prohibited.
- Rough sheets will be provided at the test centre; candidates must bring their own blue or black ballpoint pen.
- Follow all instructions given by the invigilators and exam staff.
Failure to follow exam centre rules may lead to disqualification or denial of entry.
Also Read: XAT Exam Day Guidelines
Conclusion
Choosing the right XAT Exam Centre 2026 is a small but crucial step in your overall exam journey. With a wide network of test cities across India, XLRI ensures accessibility for candidates from different regions. However, candidates must carefully select their preferences, keep track of admit card updates, and plan logistics well in advance.
Being aware of the exam centre rules and locations allows you to stay calm, confident, and fully focused on delivering your best performance on exam day. With the right preparation and planning, XAT 2026 can be a smooth and successful experience.
Read More: Colleges Accepting XAT | XAT Score vs Percentile
