Using words like "tyrannical" and "miserable" seems harsh. Your information source might have exaggerated the situation at XL. Compared to other B-schools, the students at XL enjoy similar, if not more, freedom. A student body has a say in negotiating with the administration, and they have been able to change administrative decisions in the past. The administration does play a role in maintaining discipline on campus, but students also have a responsibility to represent the school well. Overall, students at XL have a memorable experience, and administration interference in day-to-day life is minimal.

If your score is good in XAT, you will get the call. It is also good because the marks have a good amount of weightage in the final selection.

Most probably, you will be questioned if you have low grades in any of the examinations and all you need to do is, just satisfy the interviewers and prove to them that you are a good candidate and this would be enough to get you through.

If you have a score anywhere above 99.9 Percentile, you will get a call from XAT. You are much more than your mark sheets and XLRI values such things which are beyond scores.

Although choosing a course just based on placement records is not a good idea, there are some insights you must know before deciding.

• Placement is for the first job which you might do for 2–3 years while your career will span for 30–35 years. You should choose what you feel you want to be doing.
• You must have heard that HR roles offer you better work-life balance but it might not be true in every case. It depends a lot on the company, your manager, and your role. If work-life balance is your criteria, you might feel a shock when you join a company. HR might not have business targets but you may face other pressures.
• Placements in any campus depend on your luck too. HR batch strength increase in XL might make the competition for the good roles a little higher because the number of HR roles is limited. BM batch is still divided amongst Fin/Mar/Ops camps giving them specific roles but the number of opportunities might be higher. 

All in all, placements won't secure your future in any way if you choose a field where you aren’t interested. 

For preparing XLRI, HRM interview, you need to have a good command of the current budget-related issues. This could be done by reading the newspaper thoroughly and be up to date with the current affairs as they are the most predictable topics to be asked by the interviewer. 

From the bachelor’s degree, select any two subjects of your interest and prepare them well. Try to improve the communication skills, be a good listener and a proactive person. Opt for coaching like CL for better guidance. Learn how to think analytically and logically and don’t rush to answers.

These are some points that you should keep in mind for the XLRI HRM interview.

The answer is yes, students from lesser-known colleges do make it to XLRI. Getting admission into XLRI depends on several factors. If you fit their profile then surely you will get accepted. The basic requirements include the following -

The weightage of these factors varies every year. The marks obtained in the graduation helps in giving an edge during group discussions and personal interviews. Once a student clears all the factors and gets into the interview session, everything else is secondary. It all then depends on how well you perform and impress the interviewers. But if you are from a lesser-known or smaller college and are well prepared, then they will definitely consider you.

Students from various nooks and corners of the country get into XLRI. You should stop worrying about their college and focus more on their entrance exam, GD and PI.