Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) interview experience Real time questions & tips from candidates to crack your interview

System Engineer

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
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3 rounds | 6 Coding problems

Interview preparation journey

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Journey
I was in my final year of B.Tech in AI and Data Science when my journey started with the CodeVita competition conducted by TCS. It consisted of several rounds and eventually led me to receive a digital role offer letter.
Application story
It started with the CodeVita competition conducted by TCS. Submitting at least one valid solution made me eligible for recruitment. After that, I was invited to an on-centre coding round, followed by a face-to-face interview.
Why selected/rejected for the role?
Yes, I was selected because I cleared all the rounds, including the final interview. I believe my internship and freelance experience aligned with the company’s requirements, leading to the offer.
Preparation
Duration: 2 months
Topics: SQL, Python, Machine Learning, Data Structures, Algorithms, OOPS
Tip
Tip

Tip 1: Practice DSA, especially recursion and linear structures.
Tip 2: Have two good projects.
Tip 3: Research work, internships, or freelance experience can boost your resume.

Application process
Where: Other
Eligibility: Must be a final-year student. (Salary Package: 7.08 LPA)
Resume Tip
Resume tip

Tip 1: Have impactful projects.

Tip 2: Freelance work can boost the resume’s strength.

Interview rounds

01
Round
Hard
Online Coding Test
Duration360 minutes
Interview date5 Nov 2024
Coding problem2

The round consisted of six questions to be completed in six hours. The use of the internet, books, and documentation was allowed.
Even copying code from websites was permitted, as long as the reference link was shared.

Collaboration with friends and using AI were prohibited.
No camera or microphone was required.

The questions were, however, tough and contained many hidden test cases. I was able to solve only one question completely, which was enough to move to the next round.

1. Sudoku Solver

Hard
25m average time
75% success
0/120
Asked in companies
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)Urban Company (UrbanClap)Ola

You have been given a 9x9 2d integer matrix 'MAT' representing a Sudoku puzzle. The empty cells of the Sudoku are filled with zeros, and the rest of the cells are filled with integers from 1 to 9. Your task is to fill all the empty cells such that the final matrix represents a Sudoku solution.

Note:
A Sudoku solution must satisfy all the following conditions-
1. Each of the digits 1-9 must occur exactly once in each row.
2. Each of the digits 1-9 must occur exactly once in each column.
3. Each of the digits 1-9 must occur exactly once in each of the 9, 3x3 sub-grids of the grid.

You can also assume that there will be only one sudoku solution for the given matrix.
Problem approach

Step 1: Since the problem statement was quite long, I broke it down into sections.
Step 2: Created a function for each section, using brute force initially.
Step 3: Connected the functions and checked if they worked. If everything was fine, most probably a timeout error would occur.
Step 4: Optimized the functions, e.g., using binary search, hash maps, dynamic programming, etc.

Try solving now

2. Minimum Operations to Form Letter Y

Moderate
0/80
Asked in company
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

You are given a 0-indexed n x n grid, where n is always an odd number. Each cell in the grid contains a value of 0, 1, or 2.


A "Letter Y" shape is defined on this grid by three sets of cells:

1) The main diagonal from the top-left (0,0) to the grid's center.
2) The anti-diagonal from the top-right (0, n-1) to the grid's center.
3) The vertical line from the grid's center down to the bottom edge.


The grid is considered to have a "Letter Y" written on it if it meets three conditions:

1) All cells belonging to the Y shape have the same value.
2) All cells not belonging to the Y shape have the same value.
3) The value of the Y cells is different from the value of the non-Y cells.


In one operation, you can change the value of any single cell to 0, 1, or 2. Your task is to find the minimum number of operations required to make the grid satisfy the "Letter Y" conditions.


Problem approach

Step 1: Since the problem statement was quite long, I broke it down into sections.
Step 2: Created a function for each section, using brute force initially.
Step 3: Connected the functions and checked if they worked. If everything was fine, most probably a timeout error would occur.
Step 4: Optimized the functions, e.g., using binary search, hash maps, dynamic programming, etc.

Try solving now
02
Round
Medium
Online Coding Test
Duration90 minutes
Interview date18 Jan 2025
Coding problem2

The round consisted of two coding questions, one medium and one hard, with each question having a fixed timeline.

1. Combination Sum

Easy
15m average time
85% success
0/40
Asked in companies
UberFacebookLinkedIn

You are given an array 'ARR' of 'N' distinct positive integers. You are also given a non-negative integer 'B'.


Your task is to return all unique combinations in the array whose sum equals 'B'. A number can be chosen any number of times from the array 'ARR'.


Elements in each combination must be in non-decreasing order.


For example:
Let the array 'ARR' be [1, 2, 3] and 'B' = 5. Then all possible valid combinations are-

(1, 1, 1, 1, 1)
(1, 1, 1, 2)
(1, 1, 3)
(1, 2, 2)
(2, 3)
Problem approach

Step 1: Begin using the “pick and non-pick” approach.
Step 2: Identify the base case.
Step 3: Apply recursion.

Try solving now

2. Subsets II

Moderate
45m average time
50% success
0/80
Asked in companies
FacebookTata Consultancy Services (TCS)Innovaccer

Ninja is observing an array of ‘N’ numbers and wants to make as many unique subsets as possible. Can you help the Ninja to find all the unique subsets?

Note: Two subsets are called same if they have same set of elements.For example {3,4,1} and {1,4,3} are not unique subsets.

You are given an array ‘ARR’ having N elements. Your task is to print all unique subsets.

For Example
For the given if ARR = [1,1,3],the answer will be [ ],[1],[1,1],[1,3],[3],[1,1,3].
Problem approach

Step 1: You can begin with brute force, where all subsets are generated.
Step 2: The base case occurs when all elements of the input array have been used.
Step 3: Optimize the solution by sorting the input array and avoiding duplicates.

Try solving now
03
Round
Medium
Face to Face
Duration45 minutes
Interview date1 Mar 2025
Coding problem2

The round was conducted in the morning, with three interviewers together (one HR and two technical).

1. CI/CD

Which CI/CD tools are you aware of? (Learn)

Problem approach

Tip 1: Have knowledge of the tech stack used in your projects.

Tip 2: Clarify if you don’t know an answer, and instead provide an explanation of related topics you are familiar with.

2. AI Applications

What are the latest applications of AI across industries?

Problem approach

Tip 1: Be aware of the latest trends and provide ample examples.
Tip 2: If possible, share key terms where the company may have business opportunities, e.g., automation.
Tip 3: Patience and good communication are required, as HR usually evaluates them too.

Here's your problem of the day

Solving this problem will increase your chance to get selected in this company

Skill covered: Programming

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