XAT 2027 changes: XLRI HRM seats up to 240, 12 questions can go unanswered
By TUF News Desk · Published 6 November 2026 · 3 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
XAT 2027 candidates can now leave twelve questions blank in Part 1 without losing a mark. XLRI Jamshedpur announced the change on November 6, along with more seats in its human resource management programme and a wider list of colleges that accept the score.
The unanswered limit moves from eight to twelve. Each question left blank after the twelfth still costs 0.10 marks. The rule rewards candidates who skip questions they cannot solve. A wrong answer still costs 0.25 marks, so a blind guess can cost more than leaving the question blank.
The paper has four sections: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. General Knowledge carries no negative marking and runs in the last ten minutes of the paper.
Sixty more seats in HRM
XLRI has raised the intake for its Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from 180 to 240 seats. That is 60 more places, a 33.3 per cent rise.
XLRI runs the Xavier Aptitude Test on behalf of the Xavier Association of Management Institutes. Its score is accepted by more than 250 business schools.
More colleges join XAT
A fresh set of associate institutes has joined XAT 2027. The new names include Mahindra University, Masters’ Union University, Narayana Business School, RV University and ACCMAN Institute of Management. Candidates applying through XAT now have more programmes and cities to choose from in the same form.
Past papers for early applicants
Candidates who complete their application by November 11 will receive the XAT 2025 and XAT 2026 question papers with answer keys. The November 11 cutoff is the only condition attached to them.
Dr Rahul K. Shukla, convenor for XAT and admissions, said the changes are meant to give aspirants more flexibility in the exam and more chances to apply with confidence.
Dates to keep
Registration for XAT 2027 closes on December 6, 2026. The exam is on January 3, 2027, from 2 pm to 5 pm, in a single shift in computer-based mode. The paper carries around 95 questions in 180 minutes. Applications go through the official XAT portal.
The form fee is Rs 2,300, with Rs 200 extra for each XLRI programme selected in the same form. Keep documents ready before starting the form so a missing scan does not stall it at the last step. Our admission documents checklist covers the paperwork these forms usually ask for, and our guide to choosing a university in India sets out what to compare when weighing programmes.
Frequently asked questions
How many XAT 2027 questions can I leave unanswered without penalty?
Twelve questions in Part 1. Earlier the limit was eight. Each unanswered question after the twelfth costs 0.10 marks.
How many seats does XLRI PGDM-HRM have now?
240 seats, up from 180. XLRI has added 60 seats, a 33.3 per cent increase.
When does XAT 2027 registration close?
December 6, 2026. The exam is on January 3, 2027, from 2 pm to 5 pm.
How do I get the free XAT 2025 and 2026 question papers?
Complete your XAT 2027 application by November 11, 2026. Candidates who meet that date receive both papers with answer keys.
Frequently asked questions
How many XAT 2027 questions can I leave unanswered without penalty?
Twelve questions in Part 1. Earlier the limit was eight. Each unanswered question after the twelfth costs 0.10 marks.
How many seats does XLRI PGDM-HRM have now?
240 seats, up from 180. XLRI has added 60 seats, a 33.3 per cent increase.
When does XAT 2027 registration close?
December 6, 2026. The exam is on January 3, 2027, from 2 pm to 5 pm.
How do I get the free XAT 2025 and 2026 question papers?
Complete your XAT 2027 application by November 11, 2026. Candidates who meet that date receive both papers with answer keys.
Sources: The Indian Express, ANI