The hiring process
| Round | Format | What's tested |
|---|---|---|
| Online Assessment | ~90–120 min | Aptitude, reasoning, verbal, basic coding |
| Technical Interview | ~30–45 min | CS fundamentals and project depth |
| HR Interview | ~15–30 min | Fit, communication, and stability |
Process and cutoffs vary by drive/team and change over time — confirm on the official careers page.
Round-by-round: exactly what's asked & how to prepare
Online Assessment
~90–120 minA long, sectional test spanning quantitative ability, logical reasoning, English, and computer programming. Sectional cutoffs mean you cannot skip a weak area, and there is typically no negative marking so attempt everything. Time pressure is the main challenge, not difficulty.
- Time-and-work, percentages, ratios, and speed-distance word problems
- Series, blood relations, syllogisms, and seating arrangement puzzles
- Reading comprehension, error spotting, and sentence correction
- Output prediction and basic logic in C/Java/Python snippets
- Simple algorithmic coding on strings, arrays, or number manipulation
- Drill quantitative and logical sets on IndiaBix and PrepInsta free sections
- Time yourself per section to build the pacing sectional cutoffs demand
- Revise output-based MCQs for loops, arrays, and pointers
- Solve 15–20 easy coding problems on HackerRank to warm up syntax
- Over-investing in one section and missing another section's cutoff
- Leaving blanks when there is no negative marking
- Ignoring the verbal section as an easy afterthought
- Balanced scores clearing every sectional minimum
- Working code that compiles and passes visible cases
- Steady pace rather than rushing the last section
Technical Interview
~30–45 minA conversational round covering data structures, OOP, DBMS/SQL, and one or two projects from your resume. Expect to explain your code choices and answer follow-ups on why. Depth is moderate; interviewers reward clarity and honesty over memorized definitions.
- Core data structures: arrays, linked lists, stacks, trees and their uses
- OOP pillars with a concrete real-world example each
- SQL joins, normalization, keys, and simple query writing
- End-to-end walkthrough of a resume project and your specific role
- One easy-to-medium DSA problem explained aloud
- Prepare a two-minute and a five-minute version of your best project
- Revise OOP and DBMS from GeeksforGeeks fundamentals articles
- Practice writing basic SQL queries by hand on paper
- Rehearse explaining one sorting or searching algorithm step by step
- Listing project tech you cannot actually explain
- Reciting textbook definitions without an example
- Going silent instead of thinking out loud on a problem
- Clear ownership and honest scoping of your project work
- Correct fundamentals explained in your own words
- Structured problem-solving even when the answer is imperfect
HR Interview
~15–30 minA behavioral round on your background, motivation, relocation and shift flexibility, and basic company awareness. It is largely a confirmation round but confidence and clear communication still decide borderline cases.
- Why NTT Data and what you know about the company
- Willingness to relocate and work in shifts
- Strengths, weaknesses, and a short self-introduction
- A situational teamwork or conflict story
- Career goals and long-term intent
- Read NTT Data's business lines and recent India news for context
- Prepare one honest STAR story about teamwork or a setback
- Rehearse a crisp 45-second self-introduction
- Decide your genuine stance on relocation and shifts in advance
- Showing hesitation about relocation or shifts
- A rambling, unstructured self-introduction
- Zero knowledge of what the company actually does
- Confident, concise communication
- Genuine flexibility on location and role
- Authentic, specific answers over rehearsed clichés
What to master
- Quantitative aptitude
- Logical reasoning
- Verbal ability
- Data structures
- OOP concepts
- DBMS and SQL
- C/Java/Python basics
- Project explanation
Eligibility
Typically B.E./B.Tech (CSE/IT/ECE and allied) with ~60% throughout and no active backlogs; exact rules vary by drive.
NTT Data salary & compensation (2026)
Global IT services; India comp follows services bands (fixed + small variable, no meaningful equity); US roles pay market services rates.
| Role / Level | Experience | India — total CTC | US — total comp | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer / Associate | 0-3 yrs | ₹4-8 LPA | $70K-$95K | mostly fixed + small variable; standard services entry |
| Senior Software Engineer | 3-6 yrs | ₹8-16 LPA | $95K-$125K | fixed-heavy; modest annual hikes |
| Tech Lead / Specialist | 6-10 yrs | ₹16-28 LPA | $120K-$150K | variable pay tied to project/delivery |
| Architect / Manager | 10-14 yrs | ₹28-45 LPA | $145K-$185K | comp tied to billing tier and role |
| Senior Architect / Sr Manager | 14+ yrs | ₹45-70 LPA | $180K-$230K | top services IC/lead bands |
How the package is structured
- Essentially all-cash: fixed + 5-15% variable; no equity of note.
- US roles pay standard IT-services market rates, below product-company comp.
- Hikes are incremental (5-12%); onsite/US deputation and skill certs boost pay.
- Lever: switching for a promotion, moving to niche skills (cloud/AI), or securing US placement lifts comp most.
Indicative 2026 market ranges aggregated from public sources (levels.fyi, Glassdoor, AmbitionBox, candidate reports). Compensation varies widely by location, team, level calibration, and negotiation — use these as directional benchmarks, not guarantees.
Your prep plan
- Days 1–4: rebuild quantitative and logical reasoning speed with daily timed sets
- Days 5–7: revise C/Java/Python output MCQs and basic coding
- Days 8–10: consolidate DSA basics and 20 easy problems
- Days 11–12: revise OOP, DBMS, and hand-written SQL
- Day 13: prepare two project pitches and STAR stories
- Day 14: full mock assessment plus HR question rehearsal
Want this plan dated to your interview?
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Get my personalized planFrequently asked questions
Is there negative marking in the online test?
Reports indicate no negative marking, so attempt every question, but sectional cutoffs mean you must clear each section, not just the total.
How hard is the coding section?
Basic to moderate: string, array, and number-manipulation problems plus output-prediction MCQs. Strong DSA is a bonus, not a requirement.
Do all drives have a group discussion?
No. Some campus drives include a GD between the test and interview, but many off-campus flows skip it. Confirm from your drive notice.