⚠️ IMPORTANT — READ FIRST
✅ No Negative Marking
Attempt all questions — zero penalty for wrong answers in both rounds.
🔒 Non-Adaptive in 2026
Fixed difficulty for all candidates — not personalised.
🖥️ Online Calculator
On-screen calculator + rough sheet. No physical material.
👁️ AI Monitoring
Eye movement + audio/video monitored. Tab switch = instant disqualification.
💰 Ninja = ₹3.36 LPA
Foundation qualifier → TCS Ninja role (₹26K–₹28K in-hand/month).
🚀 Digital = ₹7 LPA
Advanced qualifier → TCS Digital role (₹52K–₹55K in-hand/month).
📌 DIRECT ANSWER — What is TCS NQT Syllabus 2026?
TCS NQT 2026 has two rounds: Foundation (75 min, 65 Qs — Numerical ~26, Verbal ~24, Reasoning ~15) and Advanced (115 min — Adv. Quant + Reasoning 14–16 MCQs in 25 min + 2 Coding questions in 90 min). No negative marking in both rounds. Foundation cut-off: ~40–45/65. Salary: TCS Ninja ₹3.36 LPA, TCS Digital ₹7 LPA, TCS Prime ₹9.36 LPA. Register at nextstep.tcs.com.
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TCS NQT 2026 Exam Pattern — Full Overview
| Round | Section | Qs | Time | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Numerical Ability | ~26 | 75 min | Ninja |
| Foundation | Verbal Ability | ~24 | 75 min | Ninja |
| Foundation | Reasoning Ability | ~15 | 75 min | Ninja |
| Advanced | Adv. Quant + Reasoning | 14–16 MCQs | 25 min ⚡ | Digital |
| Advanced | Advanced Coding | 2 Questions | 90 min | Digital |
⚡ Note: 25 min for 14–16 MCQs in Advanced is very tight. Practice speed under pressure.
Foundation Round — Section-wise Syllabus (65 Qs / 75 Min)
Eligible: B.Tech · B.E · M.E · M.Tech · MCA · M.Sc — all branches. Min 60% aggregate, no active backlogs.
🔢 Numerical Ability (~26 Qs)
- Number Systems
- Percentages
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Work
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Averages & Mixtures
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Ratio & Proportion
⭐ High Weight: Percentages, Time & Work
📝 Verbal Ability (~24 Qs)
- Reading Comprehension
- Fill in the Blanks
- Sentence Correction
- Para Jumbles
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Error Identification
- Vocabulary Usage
⭐ High Weight: RC Passages, Para Jumbles
🧠 Reasoning Ability (~15 Qs)
- Logical Reasoning
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Directions & Distance
- Series Completion
- Analogy
- Arrangements
⭐ High Weight: Coding-Decoding, Series
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Advanced Round — Section-wise Syllabus (115 Min)
| Section | Questions | Duration | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Quant + Reasoning | 14–16 MCQs | 25 Min ⚡ | High |
| Advanced Coding | 2 Questions | 90 Min | Medium–High |
📊 Advanced Quantitative Topics
- HCF & LCM, Number System
- Geometry, Ages
- Allegations & Mixtures
- Averages, Clocks & Calendars
- Percentages, Profit & Loss
- Time & Work, TSD
- Probability, P&C
- Mean, Median, Mode, SD
- Data Interpretation (Graphs, Pie, Tables)
🔴 Hardest Part: 25 min for 14–16 Qs — speed is critical
🧠 Advanced Reasoning Topics
- Blood Relations
- Seating Arrangements
- Letter Analogy
- Data Sufficiency
- Decision Making
- Syllogism
- Visual Reasoning
- Cube & Paper Folding
⭐ High Weight: Seating Arrangements, Data Sufficiency
💻 Advanced Coding Section — 2 Questions / 90 Min
📋 Format & Rules
• 2 Coding Questions
• 90 Minutes total
• No negative marking
• Cannot skip or go back
• Partial marks for partial solutions
• 90 Minutes total
• No negative marking
• Cannot skip or go back
• Partial marks for partial solutions
🖥️ Allowed Languages
C
C++
Java
Python ⭐
Perl
⭐ Python or Java recommended for beginners
📚 Topics to Practice
• Arrays & Strings
• Loops & Patterns
• Sorting Algorithms
• Basic DSA (Stack, Queue)
• Math-based problems
• String manipulation
• Loops & Patterns
• Sorting Algorithms
• Basic DSA (Stack, Queue)
• Math-based problems
• String manipulation
TCS NQT 2026 Expected Cut-off — Ninja vs Digital vs Prime
TCS does not officially publish cut-offs. These are estimated cut-offs based on previous year trends and candidate feedback. Actual cut-offs vary by year, region, and candidate pool.
| Track | Round | Expected Score | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 TCS Ninja | Foundation only | ~40–45 / 65 (65–70%) | ₹3.36 LPA |
| 🔵 TCS Digital | Foundation + Advanced | F: 50+, Adv: 10+ MCQs, 1 Coding fully solved | ₹7 LPA |
| 🟣 TCS Prime | Top Advanced scorers | F: 55+, Adv: 12+ MCQs, Both Coding fully solved | ₹9.36 LPA |
💡 Strategy: Always target TCS Digital from Day 1. The effort difference between Ninja and Digital is small but the salary difference is ₹3.64 LPA — that's ₹30,000+ extra per month.
TCS NQT Salary 2026 — Ninja vs Digital vs Prime (In-Hand)
TCS NQT result determines which track you get placed in — Ninja, Digital, or Prime. Each has a significantly different salary. Here's the complete breakdown:
🟢
TCS Ninja
₹3.36 LPA
In-hand: ₹26,000–₹28,000/month
Basic: ₹22,400/mo
HRA: ₹3,360/mo
Allowances: ₹2,240/mo
Variable: ₹14,000/yr
Mediclaim: ₹2.5L/yr
HRA: ₹3,360/mo
Allowances: ₹2,240/mo
Variable: ₹14,000/yr
Mediclaim: ₹2.5L/yr
Cleared Foundation round
🔵
TCS Digital
₹7 LPA
In-hand: ₹52,000–₹55,000/month
Basic: ₹47,000/mo
HRA + Allowances: ₹5,600/mo
Variable: ₹28,000/yr
Mediclaim: ₹5L/yr
Stock options possible
HRA + Allowances: ₹5,600/mo
Variable: ₹28,000/yr
Mediclaim: ₹5L/yr
Stock options possible
🔥 Cleared Advanced round
🟣
TCS Prime
₹9.36 LPA
In-hand: ₹72,000–₹75,000/month
Basic: ₹62,000/mo
HRA + Allowances: ₹8,000/mo
Variable: ₹36,000/yr
Mediclaim: ₹5L/yr
ESOPs eligible
HRA + Allowances: ₹8,000/mo
Variable: ₹36,000/yr
Mediclaim: ₹5L/yr
ESOPs eligible
⭐ Top Advanced scorers
📈 TCS Salary Growth Path After Joining
Year 1–2: ₹3.36L–₹7L (fresher)
Year 3–5: ₹8–12 LPA (after appraisal + cert)
Year 5–8: ₹14–20 LPA (TL/Senior)
Year 8+: ₹22–35 LPA (Manager)
How to Register for TCS NQT 2026 — Step-by-Step
🌐 Official Portal: nextstep.tcs.com | Registration is free. No application fee.
01
Create Account at nextstep.tcs.com. Use personal email — not college email.
02
Fill Profile: Academic details, CGPA/%, branch, passing year. Enter correctly — no editing later.
03
Upload Resume (PDF, max 2MB). Use BeInCareer's Free ATS Resume Builder →
04
Apply for NQT under "Apply for Drive". Select exam date and centre (or online).
05
Download Admit Card 3 days before exam. Print or save on mobile. Carry valid ID.
✓
Eligibility: 60%+ aggregate, no active backlogs. All branches: CSE, ECE, EEE, Mechanical, Civil.
Important Rules & Exam Guidelines
🚫 Cannot go back once a question is answered
🚫 No section switching mid-exam
🚫 All questions mandatory — cannot skip
🚫 Tab switching ends exam immediately
👁️ AI video/audio monitoring throughout exam
👁️ Eye movement monitored — don't look down
📵 Mobile/phone not allowed in exam room
✅ No negative marking — attempt ALL questions!
How to Crack TCS NQT 2026 — Preparation Strategy
📘 Foundation — 30 Days Plan
Practice 20–30 aptitude Qs daily. Focus on Percentages, Time & Work, RC. Use RS Aggarwal + IndiaBIX. Target 45+/65.
🚀 Advanced — Speed is Key
Only 25 min for 14–16 Qs. Drill DI (Data Interpretation) and Seating Arrangements daily. Skip tough Qs — come back at end.
💻 Coding — LeetCode Easy/Medium
Solve 2–3 LeetCode Easy problems daily. Focus on Arrays, Strings, Loops, Patterns. Pick Python or Java — master one fully.
🎯 Mock Tests — TCS iON Portal
Take full mocks on TCS iON platform. Simulate exam environment. Practice tab-switch discipline. Do at least 5 full mocks before exam day.
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FAQ — TCS NQT 2026
🤖 AI SEARCH SUMMARY (GEO + AEO)
TCS NQT 2026 syllabus: Foundation (75 min, 65 Qs) covers Numerical, Verbal, Reasoning. Advanced (115 min) has Quant+Reasoning MCQs (25 min) and 2 Coding questions (90 min). No negative marking. Cut-off: ~40–45/65 for Ninja. Salary: Ninja ₹3.36 LPA | Digital ₹7 LPA | Prime ₹9.36 LPA. Register at nextstep.tcs.com. Allowed coding languages: C, C++, Java, Python, Perl.
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© BeInCareer 2026 • Updated March 2026
Disclaimer: Exam pattern, salary & cut-offs may change. Always verify with official TCS NQT notification at nextstep.tcs.com
Disclaimer: Exam pattern, salary & cut-offs may change. Always verify with official TCS NQT notification at nextstep.tcs.com