TCS NQT 2026 | National Qualifier Test Registration | Exam Date & Salary — Apply Now

TCS NQT (National Qualifier Test) is your single gateway to fresher jobs at TCS and 4,000+ partner corporates across India. The July 2026 exam cycle is open right now – register before 19 July 2026 and appear for the test on 30 July 2026. Whether you are from the 2024, 2025 or 2026 batch, one TCS NQT score can unlock interview calls for IT and non-IT roles with packages up to 19 LPA. This page is your complete, always-updated guide to registration, eligibility, exam pattern, fees and salaries.

TCS NQT – Full Exam Details

About TCS & the National Qualifier Test

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is India’s largest IT services company, part of the Tata Group, with more than 600,000 employees in over 50 countries. The National Qualifier Test, run on the TCS iON platform, is a standardised benchmark of corporate readiness. A strong TCS NQT score has already helped more than 75,000 test takers get hired by 60+ corporates, and it opens doors to 1.6 lakh+ jobs across 23+ industries – from software development and cloud engineering to sales, HR and business analysis.

TCS All India NQT vs TCS iON NQT – Know the Difference

There are two routes, and most freshers confuse them. The TCS All India NQT is TCS’s own free hiring drive for Prime and Digital cadres – its most recent registration window (February cycle, test from 10 March) is currently closed and the next phase is expected around August–September. The TCS iON NQT is the paid, scheduled version (Cognitive variant from ₹599) that runs every 2–4 weeks – the July exam is open now – and produces a scorecard accepted by 4,000+ corporates including TVS Motor, Jio Platforms and Asian Paints. Taking the iON test keeps your profile active while you wait for the next free TCS drive.

TCS NQT Exam Pattern & Sections

• Numerical Ability: Quantitative aptitude, arithmetic, data interpretation and problem-solving speed.
• Verbal Ability: English grammar, reading comprehension and communication skills.
• Reasoning Ability: Logical reasoning, pattern recognition and analytical thinking.
• Programming Logic & Coding: For the IT variant – programming fundamentals, pseudocode and hands-on coding for roles paying 3–8 LPA.
• Psychometric Assessment: Workplace personality traits and behaviour – included with the Cognitive variant.

There is no negative marking, and every registration includes a free practice test to check your preparedness. If you have appeared earlier, you can purchase a variant again in any upcoming cycle to improve your score.

Eligibility Criteria – Who Can Apply

Eligibility for TCS NQT is broader than almost any other fresher drive:

• Educational Qualification: Any stream or degree – UG, PG or Diploma (engineering, science, commerce, arts and management are all welcome).
• Batch Year: Students passing out between 2022 and 2028, including pre-final and final year students.
• Experience: Freshers and working professionals with up to 2 years of experience.
• For TCS All India hiring: Minimum 60% in Class 10, 12, Diploma, UG and PG, age 18–28 years.

Selection Process

The TCS NQT route follows a structured three-round process:

• Round 1 – NQT Exam: Online aptitude (and coding, for IT variants) assessment that generates your scorecard.
• Round 2 – Technical Interview: Shortlisted candidates are tested on programming, projects and core subjects by the hiring corporate.
• Round 3 – Managerial & HR Interview: Final discussion on communication, role fit and overall suitability.

Salary & Packages – Prime, Digital & Ninja

TCS publishes official CTC bands for candidates hired through TCS NQT. These are the current figures from the TCS careers page:

Candidates with 1–2 years of experience get slightly higher bands, and the highest package offered through the qualifier ecosystem so far is 19 LPA. Ninja remains the entry cadre in select drives, with compensation as per TCS norms.

How to Apply for TCS NQT (July 2026 Cycle)

1. Click the “Apply Now” button below to open the official TCS iON National Qualifier Test page.
2. Register or log in with your email and mobile number.
3. Choose your variant – Cognitive (₹599), Cognitive with Prep Pack, or IT – and your preferred test centre or online mode.
4. Fill in your academic details accurately and complete the payment before 19 July 2026.
5. Take the free practice test, download your admit card and appear for the exam on 30 July 2026.
6. For TCS’s own free drive, also register on the TCS NextStep portal so you are ready when the next All India window opens.

You can also track the free hiring route on the official TCS All India NQT careers page. Preparing for more companies? Browse the latest Off Campus Drives 2026 and the Wipro Elite hiring to keep multiple options open.

Note: freshershunt.in is a job information platform. We are not the recruiter. Always verify dates and fees on the official TCS iON / TCS careers pages before applying. We refresh this TCS NQT guide every exam cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions – TCS NQT

Q1. What is the last date to apply for the July 2026 exam?

Registration for the July cycle closes on 19 July 2026 and the exam is on 30 July 2026. Tests are scheduled every 2–4 weeks, so a new window opens soon after each exam.

Q2. Is TCS NQT free or paid?

Both options exist. TCS’s own All India hiring test for Ninja, Digital and Prime cadres is free, while the TCS iON scheduled variants are paid – the Cognitive variant costs ₹599 (discounted from ₹800), inclusive of taxes, with a free practice test and psychometric assessment.

Q3. Who is eligible to apply?

Students of any stream or degree (UG, PG, Diploma) passing out between 2022 and 2028, pre-final and final year students, and professionals with up to 2 years of experience. For TCS’s own drive: minimum 60% throughout academics and age 18–28.

Q4. What is the exam pattern?

The test covers Numerical Ability, Verbal Ability and Reasoning Ability, with Programming Logic and Coding added in the IT variant and an included psychometric assessment. There is no negative marking.

Q5. What salary can I expect through TCS NQT?

Official TCS bands: Digital 7.09–7.60 LPA and Prime 9.09–11.80 LPA depending on UG/PG qualification, with the wider corporate pool offering up to 19 LPA for top scorers.

Q6. How long is the score valid?

Your TCS NQT scorecard stays valid for 2 years and is accepted by 4,000+ corporates across 23+ industries, so one strong attempt keeps working for you across multiple job applications.