Git is a popular version control system that helps developers track changes in code and work together on projects. It was created in 2005 by Linus Torvalds, the same person who built Linux. Git was designed to be fast, secure, and flexible – perfect for managing large software projects. Since then, it has become the industry standard for source code management. If you are applying for a developer or DevOps role, you will likely face Git interview questions. In this blog, we will go through 25+ important questions and answers to help you prepare.
Fun Fact – Git was created in just 10 days. Linus Torvalds developed the first version of Git in April 2005, and it took him only 10 days to build the core system from scratch after a dispute with the makers of BitKeeper.
Basic Level Git Interview Questions
Here are some commonly asked Git basic interview questions to help you understand the fundamentals and prepare for technical rounds.
- What is Git and why is it used?
Git is a version control system. It tracks changes in code and helps teams work together. Developers use Git to save code updates, switch between versions, and avoid overwriting each other’s work. It is widely used because it is fast, reliable, and supports distributed development.
- What is the difference between Git and GitHub?
Git is the tool that runs locally on your computer to manage code history. GitHub is a cloud-based platform where Git repositories can be hosted and shared. Git is the engine. GitHub is like the garage where you store the engine and collaborate.
- How do you initialize a Git repository?
To start tracking a project with Git, go to your project folder and run:
git init
This creates a hidden .git folder, which begins tracking your files.
- What is the purpose of the ‘git status’ command?
It shows which files are staged, modified, or untracked. I use it to check what’s going on before committing. It helps avoid missing changes or committing the wrong files.
- What does ‘git add’ do?
It stages your changes. In simple terms, ‘git add’ selects the files you want to include in your next commit. For example:
git add file.txt
Now that file is ready to be committed.
- What is a commit in Git?
A commit is a saved snapshot of your code at a point in time. It records what changed and when. You also write a message to describe the change. Commits are the heart of Git’s version history.
- How do you check the history of commits in a repository?
Run the command:
git log
It shows a list of past commits, including who made them, when, and what was changed. You can also use git log –oneline for a cleaner view.
Git Interview Questions for Freshers
This is a list of the most asked Git interview questions and answers specially selected to help freshers build a strong foundation in version control.
- How do you clone a Git repository?
To copy a remote repository to your local machine, use:
git clone <repo_url>
It downloads all files, branches, and history so you can start working.
- What is the difference between ‘git pull’ and ‘git fetch’?
git pull downloads new changes and merges them into your current branch.
git fetch only downloads the changes. It doesn’t merge them automatically. I use fetch when I want to review updates before merging.
- How do you create a new branch in Git?
Run:
git branch new-feature
That creates a new branch. To switch to it, type:
git checkout new-feature
Or use one command:
git checkout -b new-feature
- What is the use of the ‘.gitignore’ file?
It tells Git to skip certain files or folders. For example, I often add node_modules/ or .env to .gitignore so they don’t get tracked or pushed.
- What happens when you run ‘git diff’?
It shows the changes made to files that haven’t been staged yet. You can see what lines were added or removed before you commit. I often use it to double-check edits.
- How do you rename a file using Git?
Use the command:
git mv oldname.txt newname.txt
This renames the file and stages the change in one step. You can also rename manually, then use git add and git rm.
- What is the purpose of ‘git log’?
It shows the commit history. You can see commit IDs, authors, and messages. This helps track who made changes and why. I sometimes use git log –oneline to get a short summary.
Advanced Git Interview Questions for Experienced Professionals
These are Git interview questions and answers designed for experienced professionals who work on complex projects and advanced Git workflows.
- How do you resolve merge conflicts in Git?
When two branches change the same part of a file, Git can’t auto-merge. It marks the conflict in the file. You open the file, pick what to keep, and remove the conflict markers. After that, run git add and git commit to finish the merge.
- What is the difference between ‘rebase’ and ‘merge’?
Both combine changes from different branches. merge keeps the full history and adds a merge commit. rebase moves your changes on top of another branch, creating a cleaner history. I use rebase to tidy up local commits before pushing.
- How do you revert a specific commit without deleting commit history?
Use:
git revert <commit_hash>
This creates a new commit that undoes the changes from the selected commit. It keeps the full history and is safe for shared branches.
- What does ‘git cherry-pick’ do?
It copies a specific commit from one branch to another. If I only need one change from a feature branch, I use:
git cherry-pick <commit_hash>
This adds that commit to my current branch without merging everything else.
- How do you squash multiple commits into one?
Use interactive rebase:
git rebase -i HEAD~N (replace N with number of commits)
Mark the commits you want to squash with s. Then edit the commit message. I do this before pushing to keep history clean.
- What is Git stash and when would you use it?
Git stash temporarily saves your uncommitted changes. I use it when I need to switch branches quickly but don’t want to commit yet. Run git stash to save, and git stash pop to restore the changes later.
Other Important Git Interview Questions
These Git interview questions cover additional topics that are often asked in interviews.
Git Commands Interview Questions
- What does the ‘git init’ command do?
- How do you stage changes for commit?
- What does ‘git reset’ do and how is it used?
- How do you delete a Git branch?
- How do you push changes to a remote repository?
Git Version Control Interview Questions
- How does Git differ from centralized version control systems?
- Why is distributed version control important?
- What are the advantages of using Git for version control?
- How does Git manage file versions internally?
- What is the role of SHA-1 hash in Git version control?
Git Angular Interview Questions
- How do you manage Git branches in an Angular project?
- How can you use Git to roll back changes in an Angular app?
- What are common Git workflows for Angular development?
- How do you handle merge conflicts in Angular projects?
- How do you keep your Git history clean in an Angular codebase?
Also Read - Top 25 AngularJS Interview Questions and Answers
Git React Interview Questions
- How do you use Git to collaborate on a React project?
- What are good Git commit practices for React development?
- How do you handle feature branching in React apps?
- How do you revert changes in React code using Git?
- What is a good Git workflow for React projects?
Also Read - Top 25+ React JS Interview Questions and Answers
Git Interview Questions for DevOps
- How is Git used in CI/CD pipelines?
- What are Git hooks and how are they used in DevOps?
- How do you automate Git operations in a DevOps workflow?
- What is GitOps and how does it relate to DevOps?
- How do you manage Git repositories in a large-scale DevOps environment?
Also Read - Top 25+ DevOps Interview Questions and Answers
Tips to Prepare for Git Interview
Here are some focused tips to help you prepare smartly for your Git interview and stand out from other candidates –
- Practice real Git commands in a terminal, not just theory. Hands-on use sticks better than reading.
- Work with branching, rebasing, stashing, and conflict resolution in a test project.
- Study the Git history of a popular open-source repo to understand commit patterns.
- Learn to explain Git workflows like Git Flow or trunk-based development clearly.
- Be ready to walk through a Git error you have fixed before.
- Go through the most asked Git interview questions and answers.
Wrapping Up
These 25+ Git interview questions and answers cover the key topics you need to crack tech interviews with confidence. From basic commands to real-world Git scenarios, practice each one well.
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FAQs
They are not hard if you have used Git practically. Questions mostly focus on real situations like merges, rebase, stashing, or resolving conflicts. Focus on basics plus key workflows.
Keep your explanation simple and focused. Start by mentioning that Git is a version control system. Then explain what it does – like tracking code changes and helping teams work together. Highlight that it is distributed, which means each developer has the full project history. Try to use real examples if possible.
git init – Start a Git repository
git add – Stage changes
git commit – Save a snapshot
git status – Check current changes
git push – Upload code to remote
Git stores code snapshots as commits. Each change is tracked using a unique ID, allowing developers to review, roll back, and manage versions easily.
Focus on real project situations. Instead of reciting commands, walk through how you used Git to solve a problem – like fixing a broken commit, resolving a tricky merge conflict, or cleaning up a messy branch history. Practice saying your process out loud, as if you are explaining it to a teammate.
Companies like Infosys, TCS, Accenture, Amazon, Zoho, and Flipkart actively hire developers and DevOps engineers with strong Git knowledge.
