TCS Interview Questions for Freshers: Answers

70

Key highlights for TCS interview questions for freshers:

• Tata Consultancy Services currently has over 582,000 employees and is one of the largest IT employers in the world.
• TCS plans to hire 42,000+ freshers in FY26 through on-campus and off-campus drives.
• The TCS interview process for freshers includes an online test followed by technical and HR or managerial interviews.
• Many TCS interview questions for freshers are repeated across different drives.
• Most entry-level roles come through TCS Ninja and TCS Digital, which are two dedicated hiring programs for freshers.
• Fresher salaries at TCS usually range from ₹3.36 LPA to ₹7.3+ LPA based on the hiring track. 

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is an Indian IT services company established in 1968 by the Tata Group. It is one of the biggest IT companies in India and hires a large number of freshers every year. TCS offers entry-level roles through hiring programs such as TCS Ninja and TCS Digital. If you are planning to apply for these roles, you must prepare well for TCS interview questions for freshers. In this blog, we explain the complete TCS interview process and share common TCS interview questions and answers for freshers to help you prepare.

Fun Fact: 

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was one of the earliest Indian IT companies to employ over 500,000 people globally.

TCS Interview Process for Freshers

TCS interview for freshers follows a four-round selection process to assess both technical ability and overall job fit. The process starts with an online test and is followed by interview rounds. Here is a brief overview of the TCS interview process for freshers:

1. TCS NQT

• The TCS National Qualifier Test (TCS NQT) is an online assessment usually conducted on the TCS iON platform. 
• The total duration is around 90 minutes. Candidates who clear this stage move on to three interview rounds.
• It includes sections on quantitative aptitude, reasoning, verbal ability, basic programming concepts, simple coding problems, and email writing.

2. Technical Interview

• This is a one-on-one interview lasting about 30 to 45 minutes.
• Questions are asked from core subjects, your preferred programming language, and college or final-year projects.

3. Managerial Round

• This round usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
• It includes situational and scenario-based questions.
• Interviewers evaluate decision-making ability, work attitude, teamwork, and how you handle pressure.

4. HR Round

• The final round focuses on communication skills and cultural fit.
• Questions are related to career goals, flexibility, relocation, and willingness to learn.
• This round is generally 15 to 20 minutes long.

TCS Eligibility Criteria for Freshers (2026)

Freshers must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for TCS hiring drives.

• Minimum 60% marks in 10th and 12th
• BE or B.Tech degree with at least 6 CGPA
• Age limit usually between 18 and 28 years
• Maximum two-year gap allowed
• Candidates with one backlog may appear but must clear it before joining

TCS Technical Interview Questions for Freshers

Below are the most commonly asked TCS interview questions and answers for freshers based on recent technical interview patterns.

1. Tell me about yourself (technical focus).

I am a recent graduate with a strong interest in software development. During college, I worked on projects using basic programming and learned core concepts like OOPS and databases. I enjoy learning new technologies and want to start my career in a structured company like TCS.

2. Explain your final-year project.

I briefly explain the problem statement, the technology used, and my role in the project. I also mention the outcome and what I learned from it. I focus more on understanding than on complex terms.

3. Which programming language are you comfortable with?

I am most comfortable with [C / Java / Python]. I understand its basic syntax, data types, loops, and functions. I have used it in college projects and practice problems.

4. What is the difference between list and array?

This is one of the most important TCS technical interview questions for freshers.

An array stores elements of the same data type. A list can store different data types. Arrays have fixed size, while lists are more flexible and easier to modify.

Array	List
Stores elements of the same data type	Can store elements of different data types
Has a fixed size	Size can grow or shrink
Requires more careful memory handling	Easier to use and modify
Faster for simple operations	More flexible for everyday use
Commonly used in low-level programming	Commonly used in high-level programming

5. What is OOPS? Name its main concepts.

OOPS stands for Object-Oriented Programming System. Its main concepts are encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction. These help in writing reusable and structured code.

6. What is the difference between call by value and call by reference?

In call by value, a copy of the variable is passed to the function. Changes do not affect the original value. In call by reference, the address is passed, so changes affect the original variable.

7. What is a string?

A string is a sequence of characters used to store text. It is commonly used for handling names, messages, and input data in programs.

8. What is the difference between stack and queue?

A stack works on LIFO, which means last in first out. A queue works on FIFO, which means first in first out. Stack is used in function calls, while queue is used in task scheduling.

9. What is a primary key in a database?

A primary key is a column that uniquely identifies each record in a table. It does not allow duplicate or null values.

10. What is the DELETE command in SQL?

The DELETE command is used to remove records from a table based on a condition.

Example:

DELETE FROM students WHERE id = 1;

Common TCS HR Interview Questions for Freshers 

Here are the common HR interview questions asked at TCS for freshers. These TCS interview questions for freshers focus on communication skills and overall fit with the company culture.

11. Why do you want to join TCS?

TCS is a stable and well-known company that provides good learning opportunities for freshers. I like its structured training programs and the chance to work on different projects, which will help me build a strong foundation early in my career.

12. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

My strength is my willingness to learn and adapt to new situations. My weakness is that I sometimes spend extra time ensuring accuracy, but I am learning to balance quality with time management.

13. Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I see myself as a skilled professional at TCS who understands the work well and can take on more responsibility. I want to grow within the company and contribute to long-term projects.

14. Are you willing to relocate or work in shifts?

Yes, I am open to relocation and shifts if the role requires it. I understand that flexibility is important in a service-based company like TCS.

15. How do you handle pressure or tight deadlines?

I stay calm and plan my work by breaking tasks into smaller parts. I focus on priorities and complete tasks step by step to meet deadlines.

16. Do you have any questions for us?

Yes, I would like to know more about the training provided to freshers and how performance is evaluated during the initial period.

TCS Managerial and Behavioral Interview Questions for Freshers 

These TCS interview questions for freshers are designed to assess decision-making skills and how candidates handle actual workplace situations.

17. Describe a challenging situation you faced and how you handled it

During a college project, our team faced delays due to coordination issues. I spoke with team members, divided tasks clearly, and helped wherever needed. We completed the project on time and learned the importance of teamwork and planning.

18. How do you handle conflicts in a team?

I prefer to listen to all sides calmly and understand the issue first. I try to find a common solution that works for everyone and keeps the team goal in focus.

19. Have you ever failed at something? What did you learn?

Yes, I faced failure during an exam where I did not score as expected. It taught me better time management and consistent preparation, which helped me improve later.

20. How do you handle learning a new technology quickly?

I start with basic concepts, use online resources, and practice regularly. If needed, I ask for help from peers or seniors to understand things better.

21. Why should we trust you with responsibility as a fresher?

I may be a fresher, but I am sincere, open to feedback, and willing to learn. I take responsibility seriously and ensure tasks assigned to me are completed on time.

TCS BPS Interview Questions for Freshers

These are commonly asked TCS BPO interview questions that help freshers prepare for process-based roles at TCS Business Process Services (BPS).

1. Why do you want to work in the BPS domain at TCS?
2. What do you understand about Business Process Services (BPS)?
3. How would you handle a difficult or unhappy customer?
4. What skills are important for a role in TCS BPS?
5. What do you know about the services offered by TCS BPS?
6. How would you handle a situation where you do not know the answer to a client query?
7. Why do you think you are a good fit for a TCS BPS role?
8. What are your long-term career goals in the BPS domain?

TCS Ninja Interview Questions for Freshers

TCS Ninja is an entry-level hiring program introduced by Tata Consultancy Services for fresh engineering and science graduates. Through this program, candidates are usually hired for the Assistant System Engineer (ASE) role. 

Here are commonly asked TCS Ninja interview questions that focus on basic technical skills and problem-solving ability of freshers.

1. What is an operating system and its main functions?
2. What is an IP address? How is it used?
3. What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
4. What is the difference between HTML and CSS?
5. What is a linear data structure? Give examples.
6. What is SDLC and explain its phases.
7. Explain the TCP/IP model.
8. What is polymorphism in OOPS?

TCS Digital Interview Questions for Freshers

TCS Digital is a specialized hiring program by Tata Consultancy Services for fresh graduates with strong technical skills. It is aimed at candidates interested in working on modern technologies such as cloud computing, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and other digital solutions. The selection process is more competitive compared to TCS Ninja. 

Here are commonly asked TCS Digital interview questions that focus on advanced technical skills and coding ability expected from freshers applying to Digital roles.

1. Explain the basic concepts of OOPS.
2. What is the difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning?
3. What is exception handling and why is it important?
4. Explain the concept of unit testing.
5. What is machine learning and where is it used?
6. What is database indexing and how does it improve performance?
7. What do you understand about DevOps or Infrastructure as Code?
8. Why do you want to apply for the TCS Digital role instead of TCS Ninja?

How to Prepare for a TCS Interview for Freshers?

Here are practical tips to prepare effectively for a TCS interview for freshers: 

• Understand the TCS interview process and know what each round tests
• Revise basic concepts from programming, DBMS, OOPS, and networking
• Be clear about your college projects and the technologies used
• Practice common TCS interview questions and answers for freshers
• Focus on explaining answers in simple and structured language
• Prepare for HR questions related to relocation, shifts, and career goals
• Improve basic communication skills and speak confidently
• Practice aptitude and logical reasoning at a basic level

Wrapping Up

These are the common TCS interview questions for freshers that are frequently asked across different hiring drives. With a clear understanding of basics, project knowledge, and the right attitude, cracking the TCS interview becomes achievable. Stay consistent with preparation and practice regularly. Once you are ready, visit Hirist, an online job portal for IT professionals where you can find jobs posted by top IT companies in India, including TCS.

FAQs