TCS NQT

The TCS National Qualifier Test (NQT) is an all-India level assessment conducted by Tata Consultancy Services to identify and recruit talented freshers from engineering and science backgrounds. It serves as the single gateway to three TCS hiring tracks — Ninja, Digital, and Prime — each offering different roles and compensation packages.

TCS NQT is conducted via the TCS iON platform and is open to students from all branches of engineering, MCA, and M.Sc programs across India. The test is typically conducted between October and March each year.

TCS is India's largest IT services company by market capitalization and headcount, employing over 600,000 professionals globally. The NQT is your gateway to joining one of the most respected employers in the Indian IT industry.

• Single test, multiple roles — Your NQT score determines whether you qualify for Ninja (3.6 LPA), Digital (7+ LPA), or Prime (9+ LPA) tracks
• Massive scale — Over 300,000 candidates register for TCS NQT each year
• Year-round validity — NQT scores are valid for two years and can be used across multiple TCS hiring cycles
• Low barrier to entry — Open to all branches with no registration fee

Here is a quick snapshot of TCS NQT 2026:

TCS typically announces exact dates on their official careers page. Below are the expected timelines based on previous years:

The TCS NQT consists of two main sections:

Foundation Section (All candidates): Tests your verbal ability, reasoning, and numerical aptitude. This section determines eligibility for TCS Ninja roles. It has 65 questions to be completed in 75 minutes.

Advanced Section (Optional but recommended): Tests your computer science fundamentals through MCQs and coding problems. High scores here qualify you for TCS Digital and Prime tracks. It has approximately 18 questions (15 MCQ + 2-3 coding) to be completed in 115 minutes.

There is no negative marking in either section, so attempt every question.

The TCS NQT-based selection process has three stages: