TCS vs Infosys for Freshers (2026): Salary, Exam & Growth Compared
Updated August 2026 · Packages indicative — confirm on each company's official careers page
The honest answer: for most freshers this is a "write both exams" situation, not a choice — the exams are free, the syllabi overlap almost entirely, and holding both offers is the strongest position you can be in.
Structurally they mirror each other: both run three-tier intakes where the same pipeline pays ₹3.4–3.6 LPA at the base tier and ₹7–9+ LPA at the top. The real comparison is which company's upgrade path you're better positioned to clear — TCS decides tiers primarily in one NQT sitting plus interview, while Infosys lets you target tracks separately (SP via HackWithInfy/coding-heavy tests, or upgrade later via internal certification bridges).
Packages, side by side
| TCS | Package | Infosys | Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja | ~₹3.4 LPA | System Engineer (SE) | ~₹3.6 LPA |
| Digital | ~₹7 LPA | Digital Specialist Engineer (DSE) | ~₹6.25 LPA |
| Prime | ~₹9–11.5 LPA | Specialist Programmer (SP) | ~₹9 LPA+ |
How the exams differ
| TCS NQT | Infosys off-campus hiring |
|---|---|
| Foundation — Numerical Ability: Arithmetic, number series, data interpretation (~25 min) | SE test: Reasoning, quantitative aptitude, verbal ability + pseudo-code and basic CS MCQs |
| Foundation — Verbal Ability: Reading comprehension, grammar, sentence completion (~25 min) | DSE/SP test: 3 coding problems (roughly easy → medium → hard) in ~3 hours; DSA-focused |
| Foundation — Reasoning Ability: Puzzles, series, coding-decoding, visual reasoning (~25 min) | InfyTQ route: Clear the InfyTQ certification exam (Python/Java + DBMS) for a direct interview and possible SP consideration |
| Advanced — Quantitative & Reasoning: Harder aptitude for Digital/Prime consideration (~25 min) | HackWithInfy: Annual contest; top performers get SP/DSE interviews and prizes |
| Advanced — Coding: 2 programming problems in C/C++/Java/Python/Perl (~55 min) |
Choose TCS if…
- You want the single-sitting upgrade: one strong NQT + interview can jump you straight to Digital or Prime.
- Location flexibility matters — TCS has the widest office network in India, including Vizag and large Hyderabad campuses.
- You value the scale: India's largest IT employer, steady project variety, and the NQT score is reusable on the iON job board.
Choose Infosys if…
- You're a strong coder: Infosys SP (~₹9 LPA) via three-problem coding tests or HackWithInfy is the most direct high-package route among mass recruiters.
- You prefer structured training — Mysore's foundation program is the most systematic fresher onboarding in Indian IT.
- You want a second chance at tiers later: InfyTQ and internal bridges let you upgrade after joining.
Best position: hold offers from both
The exams are free and the prep overlaps almost entirely. Practise TCS and Infosys interviews with Phiny's AI — free, unlimited, company-specific.
Start a free AI mock interviewFrequently asked questions
Which pays more for freshers — TCS or Infosys?
Base tiers are nearly identical (TCS Ninja ~₹3.4 LPA, Infosys SE ~₹3.6 LPA). The differences appear at upper tiers: TCS Prime (~₹9–11.5 LPA) edges Infosys SP (~₹9 LPA) on paper, but both depend on clearing much harder assessments. Figures are indicative and change by season.
Which exam is tougher — TCS NQT or Infosys?
The aptitude portions are comparable. TCS NQT's Advanced coding section (2 problems) is moderately hard; Infosys's DSE/SP test (3 problems, DSA-focused) is the harder pure-coding exam. For the base tiers, both are clearable with standard placement prep.
Can I accept both offers and decide later?
You can hold offers while deciding, but communicate honestly and decline the one you won't join as early as possible. Reneging after accepting is common but can burn a company for future opportunities — both companies keep records.
Which is better for onsite opportunities?
Both send experienced engineers onsite; neither guarantees it for freshers. Historically both have strong global client bases — treat onsite as a 3–5 year possibility tied to project and performance, not an offer-letter feature.