Infosys Hiring Process for Freshers 2026 – Full Step-by-Step Guide
Infosys is one of the largest IT employers for freshers in India, hiring tens of thousands of graduates every year across its global delivery centres. For a 2025 or 2026 pass-out entering the IT industry, Infosys offers one of the most accessible and well-structured entry points — with multiple hiring routes and roles tailored to different skill levels.
Having worked in HR at Infosys for three years and managed campus hiring drives across Chennai, Pune, and Bengaluru, I can walk you through exactly what the process looks like from the inside — what the team looks for in candidates, where most freshers fail, and how to prepare intelligently rather than just grinding mock tests.
This guide covers every aspect of the Infosys hiring process in 2026: eligibility criteria, recruitment routes, round-by-round breakdown, salary details for each role, and a complete preparation strategy you can start today.
Infosys 2026 Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Eligible Degrees | B.E., B.Tech, M.E., M.Tech, MCA, M.Sc (CS / IT / Mathematics / Statistics) |
| Academic Score | 60% aggregate or 6.0 CGPA throughout 10th, 12th, and UG/PG |
| Backlogs | No active backlogs at the time of applying |
| Education Gap | Maximum gap of 24 months allowed in academic career |
| Graduation Year | Typically 2024 and 2025 pass-outs (varies by batch) |
| Work Experience | No prior full-time IT work experience (freshers only) |
Two Ways Infosys Hires Freshers in 2026
Unlike TCS (which has one primary NQT route), Infosys offers two distinct hiring pathways for freshers. Understanding which route fits your situation is the first strategic decision you need to make.
Route 1: InfyTQ Platform (Off-Campus, Self-Initiated)
InfyTQ (Infosys Talent Quest) is Infosys's own learning and hiring platform. Freshers register on infytq.com, complete free training courses in Java or Python, and then attempt the Specialist Programmer (SP) certification exam. Candidates who score above the cutoff (typically 65%+) are directly shortlisted for further rounds without needing a campus drive.
This route is powerful for candidates from tier-2 or tier-3 colleges where Infosys may not visit. It bypasses the campus placement cell entirely and allows you to compete on merit alone. The InfyTQ courses are genuinely high quality — completing them properly (not just skimming) also prepares you for the technical interview.
Route 2: Campus / Off-Campus Placement Drive
Infosys visits colleges across India for placement drives and also hosts pan-India off-campus drives where students can apply through the official Infosys careers portal. The process for both campus and off-campus candidates involves the same selection rounds — the difference is only in how you get your first invitation.
For campus candidates, the placement cell coordinates everything. For off-campus, you apply directly on the Infosys website during announced drive windows and receive the test link via email if your application passes the initial filter.
Infosys Roles and Salary for Freshers in 2026
Infosys offers multiple roles to freshers, each with different selection criteria and compensation. Here is a comparison:
| Role | CTC (2026) | How to Qualify |
|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineer (SE) | ₹3.6 LPA | Standard aptitude test + TR + HR |
| Specialist Programmer (SP) | ₹6.25 LPA | InfyTQ SP certification + coding round + interview |
| Digital Specialist Engineer (DSE) | ₹9 LPA | Advanced coding test during campus drive |
| Power Programmer (PP) | ₹11 LPA | Competitive coding + data structures assessment |
The Systems Engineer role is accessible to most freshers. The Specialist Programmer role requires strong programming skills. If you have solid coding ability — LeetCode medium-level problems, solid data structures knowledge — aim for SP rather than SE. The salary difference (₹3.6L vs ₹6.25L) is significant for a fresh graduate.
Round-by-Round Breakdown of the Infosys Hiring Process
Round 1: Online Aptitude Test
The aptitude test has three sections with separate time limits for each. You cannot skip between sections or go back — each section must be completed before moving on. The sections are:
- →Quantitative Aptitude: 10 questions, 35 minutes — percentages, algebra, time-work, probability, and number series. More time per question compared to TCS, so read carefully.
- →Reasoning Ability: 15 questions, 25 minutes — logical arrangements, blood relations, data interpretation, syllogisms, and pattern recognition.
- →Verbal Ability: 20 questions, 20 minutes — reading comprehension (2 passages), sentence correction, fill-in-the-blanks, and para-jumbles.
Round 2: Coding Test (for SP / DSE tracks)
If you are applying for the Specialist Programmer or Digital Specialist Engineer role, there is a mandatory coding round after the aptitude test. You will get 2 coding problems to solve in 90 minutes using Java, Python, or C++. Problems are medium-difficulty — think LeetCode easy-to-medium range. Basic sorting, string manipulation, and array-based problems dominate this section.
For the standard Systems Engineer track, there may be a basic programming test (pseudo-code or fundamentals) but not a full coding round. Check the specific drive announcement to confirm which track you are applying for.
Round 3: Technical Interview (TR)
The technical interview at Infosys typically lasts 30–45 minutes and is conducted by an Infosys engineer — often someone from the projects team or a senior developer. The interview follows a predictable structure: project discussion (15 minutes), CS fundamentals (15 minutes), and optionally one live coding question on a shared screen or paper.
Infosys interviewers are known to go deep on DBMS — specifically SQL queries, normalisation up to 3NF, and transaction management (ACID properties). OOP concepts (with examples in Java or Python), data structures (linked list, trees, sorting), and networking basics (OSI model, TCP/IP) are also standard TR topics.
💡 Insider Tip: What Infosys TR Interviewers Actually Want to See
From my experience running Infosys campus drives, interviewers value clarity and honesty over breadth of knowledge. A candidate who says "I know this concept but not deeply — here is what I understand" and then explains it correctly makes a better impression than someone who bluffs through an answer.
- ✓Be ready to whiteboard a simple SQL JOIN query — this is tested almost every time
- ✓Know 4 OOP pillars by heart with a real-world example each, not textbook definitions
- ✓Prepare a 90-second project explanation focused on your personal contribution
- ✓If asked to write code, think out loud — interviewers want to see your problem-solving process
Round 4: HR Interview
The Infosys HR interview is more detailed than what you may encounter at other companies. Infosys HR teams are trained to probe deeper into situational questions. Common questions include: "Tell me about a time you failed at something and what you learned," "How do you handle conflicting priorities," and "Describe your most challenging academic project."
Willingness to relocate is a key question — Infosys has delivery centres across Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mysore, and Chandigarh. If you have a preference, state it calmly while expressing flexibility. Flat refusal to relocate can be a disqualifier.
Complete Preparation Plan for Infosys Freshers 2026
- 1Register on infytq.com and complete the Java or Python foundation course fully — do not skip modules
- 2Take the InfyTQ SP exam attempt after completing the course and scoring 80%+ in practice tests
- 3Solve 25–30 aptitude questions daily — focus on quantitative (percentages, probability) and verbal (RC passages)
- 4Write 5 SQL queries from scratch every day: SELECT with JOINs, GROUP BY, HAVING, subqueries
- 5Revise OOP pillars (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction) with Java or Python code examples
- 6Prepare 2–3 project explanations covering your tech stack, your specific role, and the outcome
- 7Practice 2 coding problems per day on LeetCode easy-medium if targeting SP/DSE role
- 8Prepare structured answers for 10 key HR questions using STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- 9Research Infosys's current projects, recent news, and its main service lines before the HR round
Common Mistakes That Prevent Shortlisting at Infosys
- ✘Not completing InfyTQ certification before applying: The InfyTQ SP certification is one of the strongest differentiation factors for off-campus candidates. Without it, you are competing purely on aptitude scores.
- ✘Underestimating the reasoning section: The Infosys reasoning section involves detailed arrangement and data interpretation problems that take longer than aptitude maths. Many students run out of time here.
- ✘Listing AI/ML projects without understanding the fundamentals: Infosys TR interviewers will ask you to explain how your 'machine learning model' works. If you used a library without understanding the underlying algorithm, this will show immediately.
- ✘Not preparing scenario-based HR answers: Unlike many other companies where HR is a formality, Infosys HR rounds sometimes eliminate 10–15% of candidates who give vague, generic answers.
- ✘Applying only through campus and missing the InfyTQ route: If your college is tier-2 or tier-3 and Infosys does not visit, the InfyTQ route is your best path. Many candidates from top colleges also use it as a parallel application strategy.
FAQs – Infosys Hiring Process for Freshers 2026
Q1: What is the difference between Systems Engineer and Specialist Programmer at Infosys?
Systems Engineer (SE) is the standard fresher role with a CTC of approximately ₹3.6 LPA. Specialist Programmer (SP) is for stronger coding candidates — it requires an InfyTQ SP certification and an additional coding round, and pays ₹6.25 LPA. The SP role gives you access to more interesting technical projects from day one.
Q2: Can non-IT branches apply to Infosys Ninja or SE roles?
Yes. Infosys accepts B.E./B.Tech graduates from all engineering branches — ECE, EEE, Mechanical, Civil — for SE roles. Non-CS students will still face the same technical interview covering OOP, DBMS, and data structures. Prepare these topics thoroughly even if they were not core subjects in your degree.
Q3: How many times can I attempt the InfyTQ SP exam?
Infosys allows a limited number of attempts for the SP certification — typically 2–3 attempts per batch cycle. The specific number can change, so always check the current rules on the InfyTQ platform. Use your first attempt only after completing all the course material and scoring 80%+ in practice tests.
Q4: Does Infosys conduct interviews online or in-person in 2026?
Both formats are used depending on the batch and location. The aptitude test and coding round are entirely online. The TR and HR interviews may be virtual (video call) or at an Infosys campus. In 2025–2026, Infosys has increasingly moved to hybrid formats — online test followed by in-person interviews at Infosys training centres for final-round candidates.
Q5: What is the joining timeline after receiving an Infosys offer letter?
Infosys sends joining letters in batches. After receiving your offer, you can expect to join within 3–9 months, depending on training batch schedules. Infosys Mysore is the main training campus for SE freshers — you will typically spend 3–6 months there for the Infosys Foundation Program (IFP) before being deployed to a project.
Q6: How is Infosys Foundation Program (IFP) structured for freshers?
The IFP at Infosys Mysore is a 3–6 month residential training program covering programming, communication skills, agile methodologies, and your assigned technology stream. Performance in IFP affects your project allocation and early career trajectory. Take it seriously — candidates who underperform can face extended training or delayed deployment.
About the Author
Priya Nair spent 6 years in HR at Infosys and Cognizant, where she managed campus recruitment drives for batches of 500+ freshers annually. She is now a freelance career coach helping engineering graduates navigate their first job search. She specialises in resume writing, ATS optimization, and HR interview preparation for the Indian IT market.