TCS NQT Cutoff 2026: Section-Wise Marks + 4-Year Trend
TCS NQT cutoff 2026: overall 55-65% band since 2022, what the Foundation restructure changes, the Ninja vs Digital bar and where candidates drop out.
on this page§ 11
- Negative marking
- None across all sections
- Score validity
- 2 years from result declaration
- Academic eligibility
- 60 percent or 6 CGPA throughout (X, XII, UG, PG)
- Public NQT registration fee
- Rupees 599 (candidate-reported)
TCS Ninja section-wise cutoff trend (candidate-reported ranges)
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability (out of 24) | 10 to 12 | 11 to 13 | 12 to 14 | 13 to 15 | 13 to 15 |
| Reasoning Ability (out of 30) | 12 to 15 | 13 to 16 | 14 to 17 | 15 to 18 | 15 to 18 |
| Numerical Ability (out of 26) | 10 to 12 | 11 to 13 | 12 to 14 | 13 to 15 | 13 to 15 |
| Programming Logic (out of 10) | 5 to 6 | 6 to 7 | 6 to 7 | 7 to 8 | 7 to 8 |
| Overall MCQ percentage | 55 to 60 percent | 58 to 63 percent | 60 to 65 percent | 62 to 67 percent | 62 to 68 percent |
Section difficulty and candidate drop-out (candidate-reported)
| Section | Difficulty | What candidates report |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical Ability | Highest drop-out | Eliminates more candidates than any other section; percentage-based topics dominate. |
| Reasoning Ability | High time pressure | 30 questions in 50 minutes; under 100 seconds per question. |
| Verbal Ability | Moderate | Reading comprehension and error identification are the high-weight areas. |
| Programming Logic | Moderate (CS-friendly) | Output tracing and data-structure logic; non-CS candidates find it harder. |
| Coding (Digital) | Highest for Digital track | Two problems, partial test-case scoring; filters out aptitude-only candidates. |
Aggregated from candidate reports on placement forums and TCS alumni networks across 2022 to 2025 drives; 2026 figures are projections. TCS does not publish official cutoffs. Confirm every figure on the official TCS careers portal (tcs.com).
Sourced from public job listings; aggregated by PapersAdda. Snapshot for editorial context, not an offer count. Parent: tcs.
TCS uses three offer tiers post NQT/Digital. Section cut-offs decide which.
| Role | CTC |
|---|---|
| TCS Ninja (NQT pass)[1] Default offer for clearing NQT cut-off without Digital marker. | ₹3.36 LPA–₹3.6 LPA |
| TCS Digital[2] Requires NQT high-cut score + Advanced coding section. | ₹7 LPA–₹7.3 LPA |
| TCS Prime / Top Tier[3] Selective; Innovator/Prime panels usually in IIT/NIT drives. | ₹9 LPA–₹11.5 LPA |
Sources
- [1]TCS Recruit · 2026 batch JLs
- [2]TCS Digital JL · campus 2026
- [3]r/developersIndia verified offers 2026
Bands aggregated from publicly disclosed JLs + verified Reddit/LinkedIn offer threads. PapersAdda does not republish private offer letters; ranges are editorial estimates.
- 1
TCS NQT (online)
OA90 minMedium- •Verbal English
- •Quant Aptitude
- •Logical Reasoning
- •Programming Logic + Coding
Section cut-offs decide Ninja vs Digital.
- 2
Advanced Coding (Digital)
Coding60 minHard- •2 coding problems
- •Section optional unless aiming for Digital
- 3
Technical Interview
Tech30 minEasy- •DSA basics
- •OOP
- •Project discussion
- •DBMS
- 4
Managerial + HR
HR30 minEasy- •Why TCS
- •Bond / location
- •Strengths / weaknesses
Loop reconstructed from publicly shared candidate threads (r/developersIndia, LinkedIn). PapersAdda does not republish private question banks; rounds describe structure and difficulty, not specific problems.
Key numbers
- As of 7 July 2026, the candidate-reported overall TCS NQT cutoff projection for Ninja is 62 to 68 percent.
- TCS restructured Foundation for 2026 into three sub-sections, Numerical Ability (20 questions), Verbal Ability (25), and Reasoning Ability (20); TCS iON does not publish a section-wise cutoff or marks-per-question for this format.
- Candidate-reported Digital projection: 75 to 80 percent overall MCQ score plus 65 to 75 percent of coding test cases passed.
- TCS does not publish an official fixed cutoff; all figures are preparation targets, not guarantees.
- No negative marking on any section, Foundation or Advanced, in TCS NQT 2026.
TCS NQT 2026 cutoffs determine whether you make it to the interview round, and getting this number wrong costs you the offer. This article breaks down the exact section-wise qualifying scores, year-on-year cutoff trends, and a preparation strategy built around where most candidates drop out. For how cutoffs fit into the full TCS NQT process, see our complete TCS NQT 2026 Master Guide.
What Is the TCS NQT Cutoff?
The TCS National Qualifier Test (NQT) is a centralised campus and off-campus hiring test used to recruit for TCS Ninja and TCS Digital roles. The "cutoff" is the minimum score, both section-wise and overall, that TCS uses to shortlist candidates for the next stage (TR + HR interviews).
There are two separate cutoff thresholds to clear:
- Section-wise cutoff, each module (Numerical, Verbal, Reasoning, Advanced Quantitative + Advanced Reasoning, Advanced Coding) has its own minimum. Failing even one section disqualifies you regardless of your total.
- Overall percentile / score cutoff, the aggregate score used to rank candidates within a pool.
TCS does not publish official cutoffs. All figures in this article are based on verified candidate reports from placement forums, TCS alumni networks, and batch-level data collected from engineering colleges across India.
TCS NQT 2026 Exam Pattern at a Glance
Before cutoffs make sense, you need to know what you are being scored on. TCS NQT 2026 is one integrated, non-adaptive test with no back-navigation, each timed sub-section locks once its clock runs out. See the TCS NQT exam pattern 2026 for the full breakdown; the quick version is below.
| Part | Sub-section | Questions | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A: Foundation | Numerical Ability | 20 | 25 |
| Part A: Foundation | Verbal Ability | 25 | 25 |
| Part A: Foundation | Reasoning Ability | 20 | 25 |
| Part B: Advanced | Advanced Quantitative + Advanced Reasoning | ~15 | 25 |
| Part B: Advanced | Advanced Coding | 2-3 problems | 90 |
Total: 190 minutes, about 82-83 questions. TCS iON does not publish a marks-per-question breakdown, so treat your result as a combined percentile rather than a fixed points total.
TCS NQT 2026 is one integrated test, every candidate attempts both Part A and Part B in the same 190-minute sitting. There is no separate exam for Ninja versus Digital, TCS uses your combined score across both parts to place you into the Ninja, Digital, or Prime band.
TCS NQT Cutoff Trend: 2022 to 2026
This is the data that matters. The table below shows section-wise and overall cutoff estimates across the last four test cycles, with a 2026 projection.
Source: estimated range based on verified candidate reports from 2022–2025 drives. 2026 is a projection.
TCS Ninja Cutoff Trend, Legacy Foundation Structure (2022–2025)
TCS restructured Foundation for 2026 (see note below), so the section columns here reflect the four-sub-section structure that was in place through the 2025 drives.
| Year | Verbal (out of 24) | Reasoning (out of 30) | Numerical (out of 26) | Prog. Logic (out of 10) | Overall MCQ % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10–12 | 12–15 | 10–12 | 5–6 | 55–60% |
| 2023 | 11–13 | 13–16 | 11–13 | 6–7 | 58–63% |
| 2024 | 12–14 | 14–17 | 12–14 | 6–7 | 60–65% |
| 2025 | 13–15 | 15–18 | 13–15 | 7–8 | 62–67% |
2026 update: TCS NQT 2026 runs Foundation as three sub-sections, Numerical Ability (20 questions), Verbal Ability (25), and Reasoning Ability (20), with no separate Programming Logic sub-section and no published marks-per-question. TCS does not publish a section-wise cutoff for the restructured format; the candidate-reported overall Foundation cutoff for Ninja is projected at 62-68 percent, in line with the 2025 level.
TCS Digital Cutoff Trend (MCQ + Coding)
| Year | Overall MCQ % | Coding (test cases passed %) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 70–75% | 50–60% |
| 2023 | 72–77% | 55–65% |
| 2024 | 74–78% | 60–70% |
| 2025 | 75–80% | 65–70% |
| 2026 (projected) | 75–80% | 65–75% |
Key observation: Ninja section cutoffs rose roughly 1–2 marks per year through 2025 under the old four-sub-section structure. TCS restructured Foundation in 2026, so expect the overall Foundation bar to stay near the 2025 level (62-68 percent projected) rather than reading across old per-section numbers directly.
For TCS Digital, the coding cutoff has risen faster than the MCQ cutoff. Candidates who only prepare aptitude and ignore coding are increasingly filtered out at the Digital stage.
Category-wise and College-tier Considerations
TCS does not officially apply different cutoffs by category (General / OBC / SC / ST). However, candidate data consistently shows a pattern:
- Tier-1 colleges (IITs, NITs, top deemed universities): Pool cutoff in these batches tends to be higher because TCS Digital slots are prioritised and the average score is higher. Effective competition cutoff: 70–75% overall.
- Tier-2 / Tier-3 colleges (state universities, private colleges): Ninja slots dominate. Effective qualifying range: 60–65% overall with clean section scores.
- Off-campus candidates: Compete in an open pool. Section-wise cutoffs apply strictly, there is no leniency for off-campus applicants. See the TCS off-campus drive 2026 article for eligibility details.
The 60% aggregate throughout rule (10th, 12th, graduation) is a hard pre-filter before your NQT score even matters.
What the Cutoff Means for Your Salary
Clearing the Ninja cutoff takes you into the ₹3.36 LPA CTC track (2025 batch figures). Clearing the Digital cutoff, and subsequently the Digital interview, puts you on ₹7–9 LPA CTC. The gap is significant.
| Role | CTC (approx.) | In-hand/month (approx.) | Variable |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCS Ninja (Fresher) | ₹3.36 LPA | ₹22,000–24,000 | Minimal |
| TCS Digital (Fresher) | ₹7.0–9.0 LPA | ₹48,000–58,000 | 10–15% |
| TCS Prime (STEM Specialist) | ₹9.0–11.5 LPA | ₹60,000–75,000 | 15–20% |
Figures based on 2025 batch offer letters; 2026 numbers may see a 5–8% revision upward. Full breakdown at TCS salary for freshers 2026.
If you are targeting Digital, the NQT score is only the first gate. The interview round, covered in TCS interview questions 2026, carries equal weight.
Section-wise Preparation Strategy to Hit the Cutoff
The section-wise disqualification rule means you cannot afford a weak section. A 90% in Verbal does not compensate for a 40% in Numerical.
Numerical Ability (highest dropout section)
Numerical Ability eliminates more candidates than any other section. Focus areas: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Simple & Compound Interest, Data Interpretation. Practice profit and loss questions for placement until percentage-based shortcuts are automatic, these appear in roughly 30–35% of Numerical questions across past drives.
Target: under the pre-2026 26-question format this meant roughly 13+ correct for Ninja (about 50%) and 18+ for Digital (about 69%). TCS restructured Numerical Ability to 20 questions in 2026 with no published new cutoff, so aim for the same accuracy band, roughly 50%+ for Ninja and 65-70%+ for Digital, until candidate-reported data for the new format is available.
Reasoning Ability
Seating arrangements, blood relations, syllogisms, and number series dominate. TCS has a strong preference for 5-variable seating puzzles. Time management is the real challenge, 20 questions in 25 minutes means about 75 seconds per question.
Target: under the pre-2026 30-question format this meant roughly 15+ for Ninja (50%) and 20+ for Digital (67%). Reasoning Ability now runs 20 questions in 2026 with no published new cutoff, so aim for the same 50%+ (Ninja) to 65-70%+ (Digital) accuracy band until candidate-reported data for the new format is available.
Verbal Ability
Reading comprehension (2 passages, ~8 questions) and error identification are high-weight areas. Vocabulary fillers are straightforward but slow candidates who guess. Read 1 editorial daily for 4 weeks, this improves both speed and accuracy.
Target: under the pre-2026 24-question format this meant roughly 13+ for Ninja (54%) and 17+ for Digital (71%). Verbal Ability now runs 25 questions in 2026 with no published new cutoff, so aim for the same 50-55%+ (Ninja) to 70%+ (Digital) accuracy band until candidate-reported data for the new format is available.
Advanced Coding
2-3 problems in 90 minutes, typically one easier (arrays/strings) and one to two harder ones (DP or graphs), as part of the same test every candidate takes. Partial marks are awarded per test case. This section is a natural strength for CS/IT students, non-CS candidates should budget dedicated practice time on output-tracing, basic data structures, and algorithm logic before attempting timed mocks. Candidates who cannot solve the harder problem completely should optimise their brute-force to pass at least 4–5 test cases. Practice on TCS Digital placement papers 2026 for realistic coding difficulty calibration. Then drill the 50 LeetCode problems TCS repeats across NQT and Digital to build pattern recognition before the timed round.
Practice Questions
PapersAdda Mock Test
Interactive Mock Test
Test your knowledge with 6 real placement questions. Get instant feedback and detailed solutions.
For 200+ full-length practice questions with solutions, work through TCS placement papers 2026 and TCS Ninja placement papers 2026.
Common Mistakes That Get Candidates Rejected
1. Ignoring section-wise cutoffs. Candidates with a strong Reasoning score often assume their overall percentage will carry them. It does not. Clearing the Verbal cutoff by a wide margin does not offset a weak Numerical score, the buffer only exists within the section itself.
2. Skipping serious prep for Advanced Coding. TCS NQT 2026 is one integrated test, every candidate, including Ninja aspirants, attempts the Advanced Coding round (2-3 problems in 90 minutes) as part of the same sitting. Candidates who only prepare aptitude and skip coding practice struggle here regardless of which band they end up in. Practice basic array and string problems regardless of track.
3. Misreading the 60% eligibility rule. 60% applies to every academic year, including semester backlogs cleared later. A backlog in Semester 3 cleared in Semester 5 still counts against your eligibility. Verify your academic eligibility before registering.
4. Over-indexing on mock test scores. Third-party mock platforms vary wildly in difficulty calibration. A 75% on a random platform is not a 75% on TCS NQT. Use only TCS exam pattern 2026 aligned mocks for realistic benchmarking.
5. Attempting questions out of section order. The TCS NQT platform locks each section with a separate timer. You cannot "bank" time from a finished section. Candidates who rush through Verbal to save time for Numerical end up wasting that strategy entirely.
Related Resources
If you are preparing for TCS alongside other companies, these resources cover overlapping aptitude and coding material:
- IBM placement papers 2026, high aptitude overlap with TCS NQT
- Goldman Sachs placement papers 2026, harder quant, useful for Digital prep
- Persistent interview questions 2026, strong overlap in programming logic questions
- Operating system interview questions 2026, covered in TCS TR interviews post-NQT
Related: TCS NQT mock test 2026, to take a full-length timed mock and benchmark your readiness.
FAQs
Q: What is the minimum score to clear TCS NQT 2026 for Ninja?
TCS restructured Foundation for 2026, Numerical Ability runs 20 questions, Verbal Ability 25, and Reasoning Ability 20, with no separate Programming Logic sub-section, and it has not published a section-wise cutoff for this format. Based on 2025 candidate reports and current projections, an overall Foundation score of roughly 62-68% clears the Ninja bar in most pools. These are estimated ranges, the actual pool cutoff fluctuates based on the number of applicants per drive window.
Q: Does TCS NQT have negative marking?
No. There is no negative marking on any section of TCS NQT 2026. Attempt every question, do not leave blanks.
Q: Is there a separate cutoff for TCS Digital vs TCS Ninja?
Yes. TCS Digital requires a significantly higher MCQ score (75–80% overall) plus a strong coding section performance. You apply for both simultaneously, TCS allocates you to Digital or Ninja based on your score, not your application preference.
Q: How many times can you appear for TCS NQT in 2026?
TCS NQT scores are valid for 2 years. You can attempt the test once per window. If TCS opens multiple drive windows in 2026, you can attempt again in a later window if you did not clear the previous one, but your earlier score is not carried forward.
Q: Does the 60% rule apply to CGPA-based grading?
Yes. TCS converts CGPA to percentage using a multiplier (typically ×10 for a 10-point scale). A CGPA of 6.0 on a 10-point scale = 60%, which is right at the eligibility boundary. Any internal grading above 6.0 is safe; below it risks disqualification at the form-filling stage.
Q: Is the TCS NQT cutoff the same for all colleges?
The test is standardised, but the effective competition cutoff varies by college pool. In on-campus drives at Tier-1 institutions, TCS Digital allocation is prioritised and the in-pool competition is stiffer. Off-campus pools are open to everyone, making them larger and sometimes tougher to rank in.
Q: What happens if I clear the NQT but fail the TR interview?
You do not get an offer. The NQT is a shortlisting gate, not an offer letter. Both the Technical Round and HR Round must be cleared. NQT score is not disclosed to interviewers, your performance in the interview is evaluated independently.
Sources and review notesreviewed 7 Jul 2026
Official notices, candidate reports, offer documents, and editorial practice questions carry different confidence levels. The visible source list lets you inspect the evidence instead of relying on a blanket verification badge.
topic cluster
More resources in Guides & Resources
Use the category hub to browse similar questions, exam patterns, salary guides, and preparation resources related to this topic.
Start with the pillar guide: TCS NQT 2026: Aug Cycle Open, Exam Dates, Cutoffs, Salary - the complete, source-anchored reference for this cluster.
company hub
Explore all TCS resources
Open the TCS hub to jump between placement papers, interview questions, salary guides, and related pages in one place.
paid contributor programme
Sat TCS this year? Share your story, earn ₹500.
First-person experience reports help future candidates prep smarter. We pay verified contributors ₹500 via UPI per accepted story with byline.
Submit your story →ready to practice?
Take a free timed mock test
Put what you learned into practice. Our mock tests match the 2026 pattern with timer, navigator, reveal, and score breakdown. No signup.