Tata Consultancy service (TCS) interview experience Real time questions & tips from candidates to crack your interview
System Engineer
Tata Consultancy service (TCS)
2 rounds | 2 Coding
problems
Selected Interview preparation journey
Journey
I started my preparation with the basic concepts of programming, mainly focusing on Java and understanding core topics like OOP and data structures. In the beginning, I struggled with problem-solving, especially coding questions, but gradually improved by practicing regularly on different platforms. Along with coding, I also worked on aptitude and reasoning, as they play an important role in company assessments.
I made sure to revise my concepts consistently and worked on a few projects, which helped me gain confidence in explaining my work during interviews. There were moments when I felt stuck, but staying consistent and learning from my mistakes helped me improve. Over time, my problem-solving ability and confidence increased, which ultimately helped me perform well in the TCS recruitment process and crack the interview.
Application story
I applied to Tata Consultancy Services through the NQT (National Qualifier Test) process on the official TCS careers portal. After completing the registration and assessment, I was shortlisted for further rounds based on my performance in the online test.
The entire process was conducted online, including the assessment and interviews. I received interview communication via email, and the scheduling was smooth and well-organized. Overall, the process was structured and transparent, with clear instructions at each stage until the final interview.
Why selected/rejected for the role?
I believe I was selected because I had a strong grasp of the basics and was consistent with my preparation. I focused on clear communication and was able to explain my thought process and projects confidently. I stayed calm during the interview and approached each question logically. My understanding of fundamentals, combined with a positive attitude and willingness to learn, helped me stand out and secure the offer.
Preparation
Duration: 3 Months
Topics: Data Structures, Algorithms, OOP, DBMS, Operating Systems, Computer Networks, Aptitude, Logical Reasoning
Tip 1: Practice coding problems consistently to build strong problem-solving skills.
Tip 2: Revise core concepts like OOP, DBMS, and data structures regularly.
Tip 3: Be confident while explaining your projects and approach in interviews.
Application process
Where: Campus
Eligibility: A CGPA above 6, no active backlogs, and basic programming knowledge are required. (Salary Package: 7 LPA)
Tip 1: Keep your resume simple, clear, and limited to one page.
Tip 2: Only include skills and projects that you can confidently explain in the interview.
Interview rounds
01
Round
Easy
Online Coding Interview
Duration180 minutes
Interview date13 Nov 2025
Coding problem1
The online assessment was conducted during the daytime and was scheduled in advance. The environment was smooth and well-organized, ensuring fair monitoring throughout the test. Clear instructions were provided before the start, and the platform worked without any major issues. It was important to stay focused and manage time efficiently across sections. Overall, the experience was professional and hassle-free.
1. One Odd Occurring
Easy
13m average time
95% success
0/40
Asked in companies
Given an array ‘ARR’ of ‘N’ integers, where all the elements occur an even number of times and only one number occurs an odd number of times.
Find and return the number which occurs an odd number of times.
For example:
'N' = 5, 'ARR' = [1, 2, 3, 2, 3]
Output: 1
Except for number 1, all numbers occur an even number of times.
Problem approach
Step 1: I first understood the problem carefully. It was given that all coins originally appeared an even number of times, but after losing one coin, one denomination becomes odd.
Step 2: I realized that the task is to find the number that occurs an odd number of times in the array.
Step 3: Initially, I thought of using nested loops to count the frequency of each element and check which one has odd occurrences.
Step 4: Then I optimized the approach using XOR logic. I used the property that the XOR of the same numbers cancels out (A ^ A = 0), and the XOR of all elements will give the number with odd frequency.
Step 5: Finally, I applied XOR to all elements of the array and printed the result, which gave the missing coin denomination efficiently in O(n) time.
02
Round
Easy
Face to Face
Duration45 minutes
Interview date15 Jan 2026
Coding problem1
The interview was conducted face-to-face during the daytime with a panel of three interviewers, including technical, managerial, and HR representatives. The environment was professional yet comfortable, and the interaction was smooth throughout the session.
The technical interviewer focused on assessing my core concepts, problem-solving approach, and understanding of my projects. The managerial interviewer asked questions related to teamwork, handling challenges, and real-life situations. The HR interviewer evaluated my communication skills, confidence, and overall personality.
Since it was for the Prime role, the difficulty level was slightly higher, and they expected clear and structured answers. All three interviewers were supportive and gave me enough time to think and respond. Overall, it was a well-organized and positive experience.
1. Second Salary
Write a SQL query to find the second-highest salary from an Employee table without using the LIMIT clause.
Problem approach
Step 1: I first understood that I needed to find the second-highest distinct salary without using LIMIT, so I could not directly sort and pick the second value.
Step 2: Initially, I thought of using ORDER BY with LIMIT, but since it was restricted, I moved to using subqueries.
Step 3: I used a subquery to find the maximum salary from the table and then excluded that value.
Step 4: After excluding the highest salary, I applied the MAX function again to the remaining values to get the second-highest salary.
Step 5: This approach worked efficiently and handled duplicate values as well.
Here's your problem of the day 
Solving this problem will increase your chance to get selected in this company
Skill covered: Programming
What does the SQL function NOW() return?
Choose another skill to practice
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