Infosys Eligibility Criteria 2026, Complete Guide
If you are applying to Infosys in 2026, this article covers every eligibility condition you need to clear, academic cutoffs, backlog rules, gap year policies, and role-wise differences across Systems Engineer, DSE, and SP tracks. Missing even one criterion can get your application rejected before the online test.
What Is Infosys Eligibility 2026?
Infosys runs three distinct hiring tracks for freshers in 2026: the mainstream Systems Engineer (SE) role, the Digital Specialist Engineer (DSE) track for coders, and the high-end Specialist Programmer (SP) track for competitive programmers. Each track has its own eligibility bar. The base eligibility framework has been broadly stable since 2022, but Infosys tightened the academic percentage cutoff for SE to 65% (from 60%) starting with 2024 batch drives, a trend continuing into 2026.
Understanding which track you qualify for is the first step. Applying to SE when you actually clear DSE criteria means leaving ₹2–4 LPA on the table.
Role-Wise Eligibility at a Glance
| Criterion | Systems Engineer (SE) | Digital Specialist Engineer (DSE) | Specialist Programmer (SP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentage | ≥ 65% | ≥ 65% | ≥ 65% |
| 12th / Diploma | ≥ 65% | ≥ 65% | ≥ 65% |
| UG aggregate | ≥ 65% | ≥ 65% | ≥ 65% |
| PG aggregate (if applicable) | ≥ 65% | ≥ 65% | ≥ 65% |
| Active backlogs at apply time | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| History of backlogs | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Gap year (study/work) | ≤ 2 years total | ≤ 2 years total | ≤ 2 years total |
| Eligible branches | All engineering + BCA/BSc (CS/IT/Math/Stats/Physics/Electronics) | CS/IT/ECE/EEE/MCA/MSc CS | CS/IT/ECE/EEE/MCA/MSc CS |
| Batch year | 2025 / 2026 passout | 2025 / 2026 passout | 2025 / 2026 passout |
Note: Figures are based on verified candidate reports from 2023–2025 drives. Always cross-check with the official Infosys iConnect / InfyTQ portal at the time of your application.
Academic Percentage, The Hard Floor
The 65% rule applies uniformly across 10th, 12th, and UG. There is no rounding, 64.9% is a rejection.
What counts as "aggregate": For UG, Infosys uses the aggregate across all semesters, not just the final year. If your university publishes CGPA, convert it using the formula your university officially specifies on the marksheet, Infosys verifies this during document check.
Grace marks: If your university awards grace marks and they appear on the official transcript, they are counted. Infosys does not add or remove grace marks independently.
Diploma holders: If you completed a 3-year diploma after 10th and then joined engineering laterally (3rd year direct), your 12th is replaced by the diploma. The 65% cutoff still applies to the diploma aggregate.
For role-specific test papers, check the Infosys placement papers 2026 to see how the hiring difficulty maps to each track.
Backlogs and Gap Year Policy
Backlogs: Zero active backlogs at the time of application. Historical backlogs, papers you attempted and cleared, are permitted. You will need to declare them during the application form. Misrepresentation at any stage leads to immediate disqualification and, in many reported cases, a permanent ban on the InfyTQ portal.
Gap year: The total gap across your academic career must not exceed 24 months. This is cumulative, a 1-year gap after 12th plus a 1-year gap during UG equals 2 years and is right on the limit. A gap taken for a master's degree or a PG diploma does not count as an unexplained gap if the course is duly completed.
Work experience: Experienced candidates (1–3 years) applying via the lateral portal are not bound by the freshers gap-year rule, but they must meet the academic criteria. Freshers with internships listed on their resume are still assessed under the freshers framework.
Eligible Branches, 2026 List
Systems Engineer: All B.E./B.Tech branches, BCA, BSc (Computer Science, IT, Math, Statistics, Physics, Electronics), MCA, M.Sc. (CS/IT).
DSE and SP (additional filter): Infosys restricts DSE/SP to branches with strong programming exposure. Accepted: CSE, IT, ECE, EEE, MCA, M.Sc. CS/IT. Non-CS branches (Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, Textile) can apply only to SE.
If you are from a non-CS branch and have strong coding skills, the SE route is the only formal entry point. Many such candidates transition to DSE roles internally after joining, typically within 12–18 months.
For a detailed look at what the DSE and SP exams contain, see Infosys SP and DSE placement papers 2026.
Infosys Academic Cutoff Trend: 2022–2026
Tracking how Infosys has moved the eligibility bar helps you gauge risk if you are borderline.
| Year | SE Cutoff (10/12/UG) | DSE/SP Cutoff | Notable Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 60% | 65% | Baseline post-COVID relaxation |
| 2023 | 60% | 65% | No change; high-volume hiring |
| 2024 | 65% | 65% | SE cutoff raised to 65%, confirmed across multiple campus drives |
| 2025 | 65% | 65% | Stable; stricter gap-year enforcement reported |
| 2026 (projected) | 65% | 65% | Expected stable; DSE intake may shrink |
Estimated range based on verified candidate reports from InfyTQ forums and campus placement coordinators, 2022–2025. 2026 projection is indicative.
The 2024 SE cutoff hike from 60% to 65% caught many students off-guard. For 2026, no further hike is expected, but the DSE intake is reportedly tighter due to macro hiring slowdown. If your UG percentage is between 65–70%, focus on the InfyTQ certification to strengthen your application.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply to Infosys 2026
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Clear InfyTQ Foundation course, Infosys requires freshers to complete the InfyTQ platform training before they can sit for the Infosys campus/off-campus test. Register at infytq.infosys.com. This is free.
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Check your eligibility tab, After logging in to InfyTQ, the system flags whether you meet SE, DSE, or SP criteria based on academic data you enter. Fix any mismatch before proceeding.
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Register on iConnect, Once InfyTQ flags you eligible, register at iconnect.infosys.com. Both portals need to show active status.
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Appear for Infosys InfyTQ qualifier exam, This is the actual screening test. It covers Reasoning, English, Math (SE), plus coding (DSE/SP). Duration: 90 min (SE) / 120 min (DSE) / 180 min (SP). No negative marking.
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Clear the online test → Technical HR → HR interview, Post-qualifier, shortlisted candidates go through a Technical interview (45 min, Java/Python/DSA) and an HR round.
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Document verification, All marksheets, ID proof, gap year certificates (if applicable) are checked at the offer letter stage. Discrepancies at this stage result in revoked offers.
For the off-campus process specifically, see Infosys off-campus 2026.
Infosys 2026 Salary Bands, Freshers
Knowing the salary you are working toward across tracks matters for application strategy.
| Role | CTC (LPA) | In-hand (monthly, approx.) | Variable Component |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineer | ₹3.6 LPA | ₹24,000–₹26,000 | ~5–8% of CTC |
| Digital Specialist Engineer | ₹6.5–₹7.5 LPA | ₹43,000–₹50,000 | ~8–10% of CTC |
| Specialist Programmer | ₹9–₹10 LPA | ₹62,000–₹70,000 | ~10% of CTC |
| Power Programmer (limited intake) | ₹10–₹11 LPA | ₹68,000–₹75,000 | ~10% of CTC |
In-hand estimates are post-PF/PT deductions, based on candidate reports from 2024–2025 joining batches. Actual figures depend on location, PF opt-in, and variable payout cycle.
For a full breakdown of deductions and take-home calculation, see Infosys salary for freshers 2026.
Practice Questions, Eligibility and Screening Concepts
These questions reflect the type of reasoning and percentage-calculation problems that appear in Infosys SE screening.
Interactive Mock Test
Test your knowledge with 5 real placement questions. Get instant feedback and detailed solutions.
Common Mistakes, 5 Things That Get Applications Rejected
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Rounding up CGPA manually. If your CGPA converts to 64.7%, entering 65% on the form is misrepresentation. Infosys cross-verifies with marksheets during onboarding. Revoked offers have been reported for this exact reason.
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Not clearing active backlogs before applying. Some students apply while a backlog paper is still pending, assuming they will clear it before joining. If the backlog is active at the time of application submission, the system flags it. Clear first, apply after results.
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Applying to DSE without checking branch eligibility. Students from non-CS branches (Mechanical, Civil) sometimes select DSE during registration. The portal may not immediately reject you, but the offer is cancelled at document verification.
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Underestimating the gap year count. Students often forget that a year spent in exam preparation (GATE, CAT) after graduation counts as a gap. Document every gap with appropriate proof, college certificates, medical records, or affidavits.
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Skipping InfyTQ certification. The InfyTQ Foundation badge is a soft requirement for many campus drives. Candidates who have it get flagged for shortlisting before uncertified candidates during high-volume pools. Finish it well before placement season opens in July–August.
For a broader placement season roadmap, see final year roadmap for software jobs 2026.
Related Resources
- Infosys exam pattern 2026, section-wise breakdown of the InfyTQ qualifier
- Infosys SP and DSE placement papers 2026, actual-pattern practice sets
- Infosys placement papers 2026, SE track full mock papers
- Infosys interview questions 2026, technical and HR round prep
- Infosys salary for freshers 2026, full CTC vs in-hand breakdown
- Infosys off-campus 2026, registration dates and process
- HCL salary for freshers 2026, compare peer-company offers before deciding
- Infosys cutoff analysis 2026, historical cutoff data across all rounds
FAQs
Q: Can a 2024-passout apply to Infosys 2026 drives?
Infosys typically restricts freshers drives to the current and previous passout batch, meaning 2025 and 2026 passouts for 2026 drives. 2024 passouts are generally considered "experienced" after 1 year and must apply via the lateral hiring portal, not the campus/fresher route. Check the specific drive notification, as some off-campus drives explicitly allow 2024 passouts.
Q: Does Infosys consider 7th/8th semester marksheets if final results are not out?
Yes. If your final semester results are not declared at the time of the online test, Infosys accepts the aggregate up to the latest available semester. The final aggregate is verified during onboarding. If the final aggregate drops below 65%, the offer can be revoked.
Q: I have 64.8% in UG. Is there any grace or rounding?
No official rounding policy exists. Infosys uses the percentage as printed on your marksheet or the university-prescribed conversion. 64.8% is below 65% and will be rejected. Some students have reported successful applications at 64.9% when their university rounds to 65% on the consolidated marksheet, but this is the university rounding, not Infosys rounding.
Q: Does aggregate include arrear attempts?
The aggregate is based on all papers (including papers cleared in arrear attempts). The marks you scored in the arrear attempt are what count, not the original failed attempt. So if you scored 55 in first attempt and 72 in the arrear, the 72 goes into the aggregate. But you must still declare the backlog history.
Q: Is there an age limit for Infosys fresher hiring?
Infosys does not publish a formal age ceiling for freshers. In practice, candidates who graduated within the last 2 years and are under 28 at the time of application are treated as standard fresher applicants. Candidates significantly older than their passout year may face additional scrutiny during HR rounds.
Q: Can I apply to both SE and DSE simultaneously?
No. The InfyTQ portal assigns you to a track based on your profile. You cannot hold two concurrent applications for different tracks. If you are shortlisted for SE but believe you qualify for DSE, raise it with your campus placement coordinator, some campuses run both drives separately.
Q: What documents do I need to keep ready for Infosys onboarding?
10th marksheet, 12th/diploma marksheet, all UG semester marksheets plus consolidated marksheet, degree certificate (or provisional), PAN card, Aadhaar, passport-size photos, and a gap certificate (if applicable). For lateral entry students: previous employer's relieving letter and experience certificate.
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