Top TCS BPS Interview Questions And Sample Answers

The Tata Group is one of India's largest conglomerates, with a presence in over 150 countries. Its parent company is Tata Sons. The Tata Group has ten business verticals, namely Steel, Technology, Automotive, Consumer and Retail, Infrastructure, Financial Services, Tourism and Travel, Telecom and Media, Aerospace and Defence, and Trading and Investments.

Tata Consultancy Services is the group's flagship company within the Technical vertical. Tata Consultancy Services, or TCS as it's widely known, is a multinational primarily providing IT consulting services and business solutions. For nearly half a century, TCS has been offering a portfolio of engineering, business, and technology services to clients across the globe, helping improve business performance. 

TCS BPS (Business Process Services) is a division within TCS, that primarily deals with IT outsourcing. It's among India's top IT outsourcing companies, joining the likes of Wipro, HCL Technologies, Infosys, etc. 

Many freshers and experienced candidates in the IT industry have their sights set on a job within TCS BPS. TCS BPS has career options for graduates in science, arts, and commerce. While eligibility criteria may be different for different job profiles, preparing for a role within TCS BPS involves going through the TCS BPS interview questions. But first, it's important to understand the interview process. 

The TCS BPS interview process is usually divided into the HR round and the Technical round. In some cases, there may also be an aptitude test.

Each round tests different skill sets in a candidate. The aptitude test tests your numerical and verbal ability. The HR round is where salary discussions take place. It's also where recruiters try to understand what motivates you, how you view personal relations at work, and in some cases (depending on the job profile), even evaluate your leadership skills. And lastly, the technical interview round tests your technical skills.

In every round, recruiters are also testing your communication skills and attitude. Additionally, in either of the two interview rounds, you may be asked questions that test your knowledge of the company, industry or technological trends, and other general information. As a part of your interview preparation, be clear on the salary expectations and current salary trends, study the company and the job profile, and brush up on your knowledge about your current profile, if any. 

Here's a look at some common TCS BPS interview questions, along with sample answers: 

TCS BPS Interview Questions: Aptitude Test

In some cases, the TCS BPS interview process might also include an aptitude test. An aptitude test evaluates candidates' basic skill set and reasoning ability (logical/analytical reasoning) through questions on numerical and verbal ability. The exam pattern of the aptitude test may differ, but it's usually conducted online and lasts between 40 to 60 minutes. For exam preparation, one can take mock tests, especially to manage time and get familiarity with the format. Go through the job description to better understand the exam pattern. 

TCS BPS Interview Questions: HR Interview

Listed below are some TCS BPS interview questions that you may face in the HR round of the hiring process, along with their sample answers. These are not just questions and answers for freshers but also for experienced applicants. Take a look: 

Q1.  What makes you better than other, equally qualified candidates applying for this position?

This is a common question that most recruiters will ask. Another way that recruiters may pose this question is by asking, "Why should we hire you?"

Here is a chance for you to draw focus on your strengths, highlight the parts of your resume that display your skills, and throw a spotlight on your achievements, especially those that didn't make it to your resume. The idea is not to exaggerate your skills but to present yourself in the best light.

A. I understand that there are many qualified candidates applying for this role. What sets me apart is my passion for the field. I am always eager to know more about the field, then whether it's undertaking certification courses or keeping abreast of industry trends by attending conferences and listening to experts. I am always learning - and this sets me apart because it allows me to approach new challenges with an eager mindset. 

Q2. Can you give us an example of a stressful situation you faced at work, and how you dealt with it?

Irrespective of the company culture or a candidate's skill set, stressful situations may occur at the workplace. With such behavioral interview questions, recruiters want to gauge how candidates handle stress. While answering, applicants should provide answers backed with real-life examples, so recruiters have a fair idea of their approach and attitude. 

A. In times of stress, I rely on my reasoning ability to draft a plan of action and follow through. For example, when I was assigned a project at the last minute, I took aside time to list the deliverables and chart the workflow. As I got to work, I made sure to regularly communicate my progress to my manager, and whenever I was stuck with a problem, I sought help. While I would have usually tested out different solutions, we were on a time crunch. So I changed my approach. Ultimately, the project was completed on time, and without compromising on quality. 

Q3. How do you compensate for your lack of experience? 

This can be a tricky question for freshers. Though it may appear that the interviewer is putting you on the spot, the idea is to see if you're someone willing to put in the work to learn on the job. Instead of being overwhelmed by the question, keep your attention on the skill sets or experiences that you have, from college or your previous jobs. A good way to answer these questions is to focus on what you bring to the table, such as a fresh perspective, and a desire to learn. However, try to avoid generic statements or back them up with examples. 

A. What I lack in experience, I make up in my attitude towards work. I am detail-oriented and employ analytical reasoning so that I better understand the task at hand. Simply put, this means I take careful notes during training and ask questions when in doubt. I also keep myself updated about recent technological trends. Lastly, my time with the school cricket team taught me the value of consistent practice - another skill that I believe will help me excel at the job, despite my lack of experience.  

Q4. What are your career goals?

Whether you're a fresher or hold years of experience under your belt, it's important that you have clarity on your career goals and are aware of how TCS can help you achieve them. Hiring managers want to understand what are your aspirations, while also seeing if you'll be a long-term or short-term employee. It's a good practice to divide your career goals into short-term and long-term goals and start your answer with short-term goals that are specific in nature and align with the company. This keeps your answers honest, while also making you a good fit for the organization. 

A. My professional career is still at a nascent stage, but I do have clarity on my short-term career goals. I intend to work my way up to a senior executive in the company and get involved with strategizing work deliverables and pitching to clients. In the long run, I aspire to gain the kind of knowledge, experience, and skill set that would help me manage large teams, and even head entire divisions. 

Q5. Why TCS? 

This is a common question in interviews. Candidates tend to outrightly praise companies but the right approach to this question involves delivering answers that show how well you researched the organization. Studying any recent projects that made news, or policies that align with your career goals is a good way to answer this question. 

A. I believe TCS is the right place for me because of multiple reasons. Firstly, TCS offers its employees a chance to constantly upskill through the TCS Corporate Digital Academy. As a lifelong learner, this opportunity certainly excites me. Secondly, it's well-known that TCS has a robust training network and a diverse workforce, and both of these are things I look out for in an organization. Lastly, TCS, or Tata Group in general, is known for valuing people's personal lives and helping employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. All these reasons make TCS my ideal choice. 

Q6. What are your salary expectations?

Salary discussions are a part of the HR round but it's important that applicants are clear on the industry benchmark and don't indulge in incorrect salary negotiation. Applicants should try to gather information on the salary ranges that people in this role draw. Do keep in mind the years of work experience when comparing salary ranges and try not to respond with an exact number during the salary discussion. 

A. On the basis of my research, individuals in this role with a background and experience similar to mine usually fall in this salary range and I am hoping for a similar compensation. I would also love to know more about your budgeted salary range for the role, and if there are any other benefits that employees receive. 

Q7. Why did you leave your last job? 

This is a common question that experienced candidates might face during the HR interview. It's important that applicants be honest while answering - but, bad-mouthing the previous workplace is never a good look. Try to draw the focus on your own career goals and expectations, rather than on your previous employer. 

A.  I absolutely enjoyed my time at my previous organization and worked with them for several years. However, after reevaluating my career goals, I realized that I didn't have the right opportunity to advance my career in my previous organization. I also wanted to experience a new learning environment where I could continue my professional growth. 

Q8. Will you be comfortable relocating?

Night shift, constant travel, or relocation may be part of a job profile. If you're aware of any such requirements then this is a good opportunity to ask any additional questions you may have. For example, the timing of the night shift or if there's a relocation support package. Irrespective of whether the job description includes this information or not, when asked, reply honestly because this may impact your personal life. Also, provide logical reasons for your responses. 

A. I am open to relocation, but I would love to know more about the kind of support the company offers to relocate employees. 

Q9. What do you value more, money or work?

Again, this may appear to be a tricky question but the recruiters only want to understand what motivates an applicant. Hiring managers understand that paycheck matters, but are also looking for employees who're passionate about their work. Thus, when answering, try to combine both factors. 

A. I understand the value of having a job I actually enjoy, that also gives me room to grow. However, I do look for a compensation package that helps me fulfill my needs. I am motivated by both, financial growth that pushes me to do my best and work opportunities where I can continuously hone my skills. 

Q10. How do you deal with rejection? 

It's important for hiring managers to understand how you deal with rejection, and if you're able to process negative information. This is a way for recruiters to gauge your professionalism and confidence when someone says 'no' to you because naturally, rejection can be frustrating, and even hurtful. When responding, provide a practical response that keeps into account the natural human reaction but also showcases your professionalism. 

A. No one, including me, likes being rejected - but I try not to take every rejection personally, and instead focus on the big picture. I use my reasoning ability to understand what I could have done to turn that 'no' into a 'yes', and use that knowledge in the future. 

The aforementioned questions should help candidates with the HR round. As part of their interview preparation, candidates should also study the organization's business performance, recent developments, history and culture, along with studying the job profile in detail. 

TCS BPS Interview Questions: Technical Interview

The technical round in the TCS BPS Interview focuses on questions about coding and programming languages that may be relevant to your job profile. The aim is to test your theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject. Here are some sample technical interview round questions and answers: 

Q1. What is inheritance?

Inheritance is the property of the OOPs programming language that allows the user to inherit attributes and functions of the parent object. It helps in saving time for the programmer as he doesn't have to rewrite all functions and attributes.

Parent class data members and properties are passed down to the child class using inheritance. The parent class, from which the child class inherits the attributes and functions, is also known as the super-class. 

Q2. What are conditional statements?

Conditional statements are extensively used by programmers to control a sequence of programs based on some conditions. The statement executes until the condition is true. Otherwise, we get out the statements.

There are different conditional statements, such as if-else, and if-then statements. Loops are also included in conditional statements as they also execute their code when the condition is satisfied.

Q3. What do you understand from the term Object-Oriented Programming?

Object-Oriented Programming is a form of programming language that organizes a software design around the object rather than function and logic. An object is defined as a data field that has particular attributes and behavior.

This type of programming approach is well-suited for large, complex, and frequently updated and maintained projects. It simplifies software development and maintenance by providing major concepts such as abstraction, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation. These core concepts support OOP.

Q4. What is RDBMS? What is the difference between RDBMS and DBMS?

RDBMS stands for Relational Database Management System. It organizes and stores data in a structured manner, following the principles of the relational model.

In RDBMS, data is organized into tables, where each table consists of rows (records) and columns (attributes). The relationships between tables are defined through keys, such as primary keys and foreign keys. These relationships allow for efficient storage, retrieval, and manipulation of data.

DBMS refers to Database Management System. It provides the interface for performing different operations such as creating, modifying, and storing.

The major difference between the RBDMS and DBMS is that the RDBMS stores the data in the form of a table, while the DBMS stores the data in the form of files.

Q5. What is Software Development Life Cycle?

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a process used in the software industry to design and develop high-quality software. The main aim of SDLC is to reduce the risk of a project by forward planning, so the software can meet the customer's expectations during production.

A Software Development Life Cycle involves all the steps of production/development of the product. SDLC is basically divided into six phases:- requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

Q6. What are the different loops in a programming language?

There are different loops available, but they are the same in almost all the major languages. Loops are used to run a particular block of statements several times. Loops can be categorized into

• For loop
• while loop
• do-while loop

When you have a fixed number of iterations it is preferred to use for loop, and when the iteration is to be done until the condition is satisfied then while and do-while loops are used.  

Q7. What are the different types of Inheritance?

Inheritance is nothing more than the manner in which a child object acquires all the attributes and properties of its parent object.

There are basically five types of inheritance in Java and C++, which are 

1. Single-level Inheritance
2. Multi-level Inheritance
3. Multiple Inheritance
4. Hybrid Inheritance
5. Hierarchical Inheritance

Q8. What is socket programming? Also, explain the main advantage and drawbacks of using Java Sockets. 

Socket Programming refers to a form of programming that is used for communication between two applications running on different JRE (Java Runtime Environment). It is the connection in which two machines have information about each other's location such as IP address and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) port. A socket connection between the devices can be made using a wired connection or wireless connection.

Advantages of Java Sockets:-

Java sockets are used for making the connection between two programs. There are various other sockets in the market but one of the major advantages of using the Java socket is that they are platform-independent. They are simple to use as they have a simple and consistent environment to use.

They are also highly scalable which makes them suitable for large-scale applications. They also come with an in-built security feature which makes them more secure than other sockets.  

Drawbacks of Java Sockets:-

Like any other network protocol, they also have some drawbacks as they provide high latency because they use UDP (User Datagram Protocol). They are easy to use but sometimes difficult to implement. Java sockets support a limited number of protocols.

Q9. What is round trip time in networking?

The round trip time refers to the total amount of time taken by a data packet to travel back and forth i.e. from source to destination and then from destination to source. It is one of the crucial parameters in computer networking as they tell us about the latency in the network.

These sample TCS BPS interview questions are a good starting point to prepare for an interview with TCS BPS. As part of your interview preparation, always read through the job description, gather information about the company's recent developments, and practice your communication skills. 

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