TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, Capgemini, Accenture, HCLTech and Genpact compared: shared stages, real differences, what to prepare, and fake-offer signs.
The IT services interview process at TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, Capgemini, Accenture, HCLTech and Genpact follows a broadly similar backbone, though each firm names and orders the stages differently: an eligibility check, an online assessment of aptitude and often coding, a technical interview, an HR interview, then document checks and an offer. The firms differ in three places: how much of the test they publish, whether your test score sets your offer tier, and whether they add a separate English test. Timed aptitude practice, one coding language, one project you can explain and a clean self-introduction carry across all eight.
Each of these eight firms has its own process page on our site. This page compares what each firm says on its own careers pages, as we read them in October 2026, and where a firm does not publish something, such as a cut-off or a round count, we say so instead of guessing.
The four stages most drives share
Eligibility is checked before the test and again later
Fresher drives screen on academics first. TCS's NQT drive for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 batches asks for at least 60% in Class 10, Class 12, diploma, graduation and postgraduation, no pending backlog, an overall education gap of no more than 24 months, and an age between 18 and 28. HCLTech's AMP program for engineering graduates asks for 70% throughout academics, or 65% for its New Vistas locations of Lucknow, Nagpur, Vijayawada and Madurai. TCS also says it reviews eligibility at every stage and disqualifies candidates whose declared details turn out to be discrepant, so enter your marks exactly as your marksheets show them.
What the online assessment covers at each firm
TCS publishes the most detail. Its NQT is a 190-minute test taken in person at a TCS iON centre, made up of a 75-minute Foundation section (numerical, verbal and reasoning ability, 25 minutes each) and a 115-minute Advanced section (25 minutes of advanced quantitative and reasoning ability, then 90 minutes of advanced coding). HCLTech's Ascend test has a cognitive test of about 90 minutes, a coding or technical test of 60 to 90 minutes, and then a Versant English test that only candidates who clear the first two go on to take.
The other firms describe their tests in less detail, though Accenture says its online technical assessments typically take 30 to 90 minutes. Cognizant says its GenC assessments cover communication skills, aptitude and/or technical skills depending on the role, while Capgemini lists an aptitude test of logical reasoning, verbal and quantitative skills, a coding or technical assessment, and a group discussion for select roles. Genpact names cognitive and language-speaking tests and says the email invitation explains each one, and Accenture says some roles include an online activity on technical skills, natural strengths or decision-making. The Wipro and Infosys careers pages we opened do not publish a section list, so for those two, rely on your invitation.
Expect the test to be monitored. Capgemini calls its online assessments proctored where applicable, and Genpact says that during unsupervised online tests it may take snapshots or video, with an AI algorithm flagging possible fraud for a recruiter to review manually.
The technical interview tests the skill you said you have
TCS asks you to pick a skill when you apply, and says shortlisted candidates are evaluated predominantly on that skill in addition to the usual course of interview, so choose the language or area you can defend under questioning. HCLTech warns that its technical questions range across disciplines and may include puzzles and out-of-the-box problems. Capgemini holds one or two technical interviews depending on the position, by video or in person, and says video interviews may be recorded after it asks for your consent.
No firm publishes a fixed round count for freshers. Infosys and Wipro both say their process involves at least one interview, HCLTech says at least two rounds, and Accenture says the number depends on the role.
HR interview, documents and the offer
The HR round is where firms check fit and motivation. HCLTech says it uses the HR interview to understand your career goals, skills and strengths, while Capgemini schedules a formal HR behavioural interview only after a successful technical evaluation. If your HR round opens with a self-introduction, use our fresher self-introduction guide to build yours, and if your panel may switch to Hindi, our Hindi "tell me about yourself" answers cover that version.
Paperwork follows the interviews. TCS verifies original marksheets and degree certificates at the interview and again at joining, while Capgemini moves you to its candidate portal for documents, then a compensation discussion, a formal offer you accept in the portal, and background verification. Cognizant says it verifies education, previous employment and references, and Genpact may collect a government ID, compensation expectations and background-check reports once you are shortlisted.
Where the eight firms actually differ
Your test score can set your offer tier
At TCS the assessment decides more than pass or fail, and at HCLTech clearing the Ascend assessment is the gate to a further evaluation for higher pay tiers. TCS says candidates qualify for Prime, Digital or Ninja interviews based on test performance. Its drive page for the 2024 to 2026 batches, which showed registration as closed when we read it, lists CTC ranges for undergraduates with up to one year of experience of 9.09 to 9.30 LPA for Prime and 7.09 to 7.30 LPA for Digital, notes that actual compensation depends on work experience and job location, and gives a Ninja minimum of 3.4 LPA for undergraduates and 3.6 LPA for postgraduates. TCS says the Advanced section is mandatory if you want a Digital or Prime offer, so attempt it even if coding is your weaker side.
HCLTech offers everyone who clears AMP selection the Ascend level, at 4.5 LPA or 3.75 LPA in New Vistas locations, then evaluates the top 10% further through interviews, hackathons or technical tests for Momentum at 6.0 LPA or Polaris at 10.0 LPA. Infosys runs a separate route through HackWithInfy, its coding competition, where participants stand a chance to earn pre-placement interview opportunities for the Specialist Programmer role and other roles in specialised units.
Spoken English is tested on its own at some firms
HCLTech requires a Versant score of 46 to 56, which it describes as B1 level, before you reach interviews. Cognizant lists communication skills among its assessments, Capgemini mentions language assessments where applicable, and Genpact names language-speaking tests, so practise answering aloud and not only on paper.
How much each firm tells you in advance
On the pages we read, TCS and HCLTech publish test sections and timings, Accenture publishes a typical technical assessment length of 30 to 90 minutes, Capgemini and Cognizant publish the order of stages, Genpact describes its tests in general terms, and Infosys and Wipro publish mainly their anti-fraud rules. For the first two, prepare to the published pattern; for the rest, prepare the shared backbone and read your invitation carefully.
On service bonds, only one firm is explicit: Cognizant's GenC page says "No service bonds", while the other seven pages we opened do not mention a bond either way, so ask your recruiter in writing before you accept.
Fresher drives versus lateral hiring
Cognizant's process for experienced hires moves from application to an introductory recruiter call, then interviews with the hiring team, and notes that some roles add technical assessments or client interviews; its GenC page mentions assessments but not client interviews. Capgemini's general recruitment process opens with an HR screening by video or phone before any assessment, while its fresher placement list starts with an online aptitude test, and Accenture says its recruiters may look for other roles that match your profile.
The two tracks overlap at TCS, whose NQT drive accepts candidates with up to two years of work experience, asks them for experience or relieving letters, and says internships do not count towards salary fitment.
Cognizant says accepting a GenC offer does not guarantee immediate joining because onboarding happens in batches based on business demand, and HCLTech requires off-campus and non-Primus hires to complete pre-joining training and pass a post-training assessment, which it says may also help upgrade the offer. Infosys trains new graduates in its Foundation Program at the Global Education Center in Mysuru.
The eight firms, one paragraph each
TCS runs this fresher drive for the 2024 to 2026 batches through the NQT, which you register for on the TCS NextStep portal under the IT category before clicking the mandatory "Apply For Drive"; the page showed registration as closed when we read it. Our TCS interview process guide covers the test and offer categories in full.
Infosys publishes little about its tests on its main careers pages, but its fraud notice confirms at least one interview and offers a validation page for offers from Infosys Limited, India. Read our Infosys hiring process breakdown before your assessment.
Wipro recruits freshers through several named programs, including Elite for engineering graduates, Turbo for 46 premier institutes, STAR for 13 top technical institutes and WILP for BCA and B.Sc. graduates. Our Wipro interview process page explains how these routes differ.
Cognizant runs fresher hiring through a five-step GenC flow and lateral hiring through a separate four-step flow, both covered in our Cognizant GenC and lateral hiring guide.
Capgemini publishes a detailed stage order, from HR screening to an offer you accept in its portal, and our Capgemini interview process guide walks through each step.
Accenture lists six steps from application confirmation to offer and publishes explicit rules on how candidates may use AI. Our Accenture hiring process guide covers its assessments and interview types.
HCLTech combines the AMP salary tiers, the three-stage Ascend test and at least two interview rounds, and our HCLTech interview process page has the full eligibility rules.
Genpact hires across data, tech, AI and digital operations services and may use recorded interviews that you complete at a time you choose, as our Genpact interview process guide explains.
Preparation that carries across all eight
- Practise aptitude under a clock, because TCS gives 25 minutes per Foundation area and HCLTech about 90 minutes for its cognitive test.
- Pick one coding language and solve problems in it end to end, since TCS asks you to choose a skill and then questions you mainly on it.
- Prepare one project you can explain from problem to result, including what you built yourself and what you would change.
- Write and rehearse a 60-to-90-second self-introduction, then practise your answers to "why this company" and "where do you see yourself" aloud.
- Keep originals and copies of every marksheet and certificate ready, because TCS checks them at the interview and again at joining.
An illustrative project answer might run: "Our final-year team built a library seat-booking app in Java; I wrote the booking logic and fixed a double-booking bug by adding a database lock, and if I rebuilt it I would add tests first." It names your part, a real problem and a lesson.
How to tell a real offer from a fake one
All eight firms say candidates are not required to pay, though the wording differs by firm. TCS says it does not ask candidates to deposit money at any stage, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, Capgemini and HCLTech say they charge no fee at any stage, Accenture says no one is ever required to pay for employment, and Genpact says it never requires applicants to pay.
Other warning signs repeat across the notices. Infosys, Wipro and HCLTech say they will not request an interview on an instant-messaging app, with Wipro naming WhatsApp and Telegram, Capgemini says it does not use any platform other than Microsoft Teams for interviews, and TCS says it does not send hiring emails from Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail or Rediffmail addresses. HCLTech says an offer counts as genuine only if you can open it on the Candidate Portal with the unique ID and password it sends you, and Infosys offers a validation page for offers in India.
If something looks wrong, report it to the firm before replying. Wipro uses helpdesk.recruitment@wipro.com, HCLTech uses foi@hcltech.com, and Cognizant uses genchrcompliance@cognizant.com for campus and fresher offers.
Practise the interview rounds with Verve AI
A clear self-introduction and a specific answer to "why this company" are two things you can rehearse before any of these drives. Verve AI's AI Mock Interview lets you say them to an AI recruiter, using a behavioural or software engineering question bank or questions generated from the job description, and then gives you "a detailed performance report with personalized feedback and scoring". Accenture publishes its candidate AI rules directly: it permits using AI for practising for interviews, but lists "Using AI products during interviews to generate answers to questions for you" as not permitted, so use practice tools before the interview and answer on your own on the day.
FAQ
How many interview rounds do TCS, Infosys and Wipro have?
None of the three publishes a fixed round count. Infosys and Wipro say their hiring involves at least one interview, virtual or in person. TCS says shortlisted candidates are evaluated mainly on the skill they chose. Plan for both technical and HR questions, whether they come in one conversation or in separate rounds.
How is the TCS NQT different from the HCLTech Ascend test?
The TCS NQT is a single 190-minute in-centre test with Foundation and Advanced sections, and your performance decides whether you interview for Prime, Digital or Ninja. HCLTech's Ascend test has three stages: a cognitive test, a coding or technical test, and a Versant English test. Everyone who clears AMP selection starts at Ascend, and the top 10% are evaluated again for higher tiers.
Do these companies charge a fee or ask for a deposit?
No. All eight firms state on their careers pages that candidates are not required to pay, although the exact wording differs by firm. A request for a registration fee, security deposit or equipment charge in exchange for a job is a sign of fraud. Report it to the firm's published address before you reply.
Do I have to sign a service bond?
Cognizant's GenC page says there are no service bonds. The pages we opened for the other seven firms do not mention a bond. Ask your recruiter in writing before you accept an offer.
Sources
- TCS NQT eligibility, test pattern (190 minutes, Foundation 75, Advanced 115), Prime/Digital/Ninja based on test performance, CTC ranges, skill-based evaluation, documents, up to two years' experience, internships and salary fitment, no deposit, no Gmail/Yahoo/Hotmail/Rediffmail, helpdesk: https://www.tcs.com/careers/india/tcs-all-india-nqt-hiring
- Infosys: no fees, at least one interview, no instant-messaging interviews, @infosys.com domain, offer validation for India: https://www.infosys.com/careers/apply/recruitment-fraud-alert.html
- Infosys HackWithInfy pre-placement interview opportunities for Specialist Programmer: https://www.infosys.com/careers/hackwithinfy.html
- Infosys Foundation Program at the Global Education Center, Mysuru: https://www.infosys.com/careers/graduates/global-education-center.html
- Wipro early-career programs (Elite, Turbo 46 institutes, STAR 13 institutes, WILP, SIM): https://careers.wipro.com/content/Early-Careers/?locale=en_US
- Wipro fraud notice (no fee, at least one interview, no WhatsApp/Telegram interviews, @wipro.com, helpdesk.recruitment@wipro.com): https://careers.wipro.com/content/Fraud-Awareness/?locale=en_US
- Cognizant GenC five-step process, assessments (communication, aptitude, technical), no service bonds, batch onboarding: https://careers.cognizant.com/india-en/pathways-to-cognizant/genc-program/
- Cognizant experienced-hire four-step process, technical assessments and client interviews for some roles, background verification: https://careers.cognizant.com/india-en/pathways-to-cognizant/how-we-hire/
- Cognizant no recruitment fee, genchrcompliance@cognizant.com: https://careers.cognizant.com/india-en/notices/
- Capgemini India stages, HR screening, proctored assessments, one or two technical interviews, recording with consent, HR behavioural interview, portal documents and offer, fresher stages, no fees: https://www.capgemini.com/in-en/careers/join-capgemini/recruitment-process/
- Accenture six-step process, interview count depends on role, online activity for some roles, no one pays for employment: https://www.accenture.com/in-en/careers/explore-careers/area-of-interest/journey-to-accenture
- Accenture candidate AI rules (practice permitted; AI-generated answers during interviews not permitted): https://www.accenture.com/in-en/careers/explore-careers/area-of-interest/ai-usage-job-search
- HCLTech process (technical interview with puzzles, HR interview content, offer roll-out): https://www.hcltech.com/careers/recruitment-process-hcl-tech
- HCLTech AMP eligibility, Ascend test stages and timings, Versant 46 to 56 (B1), salary tiers, top 10%, pre-joining training: https://www.hcltech.com/careers/campus-hiring
- HCLTech fraud notice (no fees, at least two rounds, no instant-messaging interviews, Candidate Portal offers, foi@hcltech.com): https://www.hcltech.com/careers/genuine-job-offers
- Genpact never requires applicants to pay; service areas: https://www.genpact.com/careers
- Genpact cognitive and language assessments, invitation details, snapshots/video proctoring with AI flagging and manual review, on-demand interviews, post-shortlist ID and background checks: https://www.genpact.com/privacy/notice-for-employment-candidates
- Verve AI Mock Interview (AI recruiter, question banks, performance report with personalized feedback and scoring): https://docs.vervecopilot.com/features/mock-interview
- Capgemini India uses Microsoft Teams invites and no other platform for interviews: https://www.capgemini.com/in-en/careers/join-capgemini/interview-tips/
Ryan, CEO of Verve AI
Interview Guides
