OLA Placement Papers 2026

Last Updated: March 2026

📋 Company Overview

Ola (ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) is an Indian multinational ride-sharing company. It was one of the first ride-hailing apps in India and has since expanded to include electric vehicles (Ola Electric), financial services, and cloud kitchens. Ola Electric has become a major player in India's EV revolution.

Key Highlights:

• Founded: December 2010 (as OlaCabs)
• Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Industry: Transportation / Mobility / Electric Vehicles
• Employees: 10,000+ globally
• Presence: India, Australia, UK, New Zealand

Eligibility Criteria 2026

Parameter	Requirement
Education	B.Tech/B.E (CS, IT, ECE, EEE)
Batch	2024, 2025, 2026
Minimum CGPA	7.0/10 or 70%
Backlogs	No active backlogs
Skills	Strong coding, Problem-solving

Ola CTC for Freshers 2026

Component	Amount (Approx.)
Base Salary	₹12-18 LPA
Joining Bonus	₹1-2 Lakhs
ESOPs	Variable
Benefits	Health Insurance, Relocation
Total CTC	₹15-25 LPA

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📝 Exam Pattern

Ola's recruitment process typically consists of 3-4 rounds:

Round	Duration	Questions	Topics
Online Assessment	90 mins	2-3	Coding Problems
Technical Interview 1	45-60 mins	-	DSA, Problem Solving
Technical Interview 2	45-60 mins	-	System Design, Projects
HR Interview	30-45 mins	-	Behavioral, Culture Fit

Key Points:

• Strong focus on data structures and algorithms
• Problem-solving approach matters more than syntax
• Expect questions on scalability and real-world scenarios

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🧮 Aptitude Questions (15 with Solutions)

Question 1: Numbers

What is the sum of all prime numbers between 50 and 70?

Solution: Prime numbers between 50-70: 53, 59, 61, 67 Sum = 53 + 59 + 61 + 67 = 240

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Question 2: Percentage

The price of sugar increases by 25%. By what percentage should consumption decrease to maintain the same expenditure?

Solution: Shortcut formula: % decrease = [x/(100+x)] × 100 = [25/125] × 100 = 20%

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Question 3: Ratio & Proportion

If A:B = 2:3, B:C = 4:5, and C:D = 6:7, find A:D.

Solution: A:B:C:D = 2×4×6 : 3×4×6 : 3×5×6 : 3×5×7 = 48 : 72 : 90 : 105 = 16 : 24 : 30 : 35

A:D = 16:35

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Question 4: Profit & Loss

A shopkeeper buys 30 articles for ₹450. He sells 20 articles at a profit of 20% and the remaining at a loss of 10%. Find overall profit/loss%.

Solution: CP of 30 articles = ₹450 CP per article = ₹15

SP of first 20 = 20 × 15 × 1.2 = ₹360 SP of remaining 10 = 10 × 15 × 0.9 = ₹135 Total SP = ₹495

Profit = 495 - 450 = ₹45 Profit% = (45/450) × 100 = 10%

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Question 5: Time & Work

P can complete a work in 15 days, Q in 20 days. They work together for 5 days, then P leaves. How long will Q take to complete the remaining work?

Solution: P's 1 day work = 1/15 Q's 1 day work = 1/20 Together in 5 days = 5 × (1/15 + 1/20) = 5 × (7/60) = 35/60 = 7/12

Remaining work = 1 - 7/12 = 5/12 Q's time to complete = (5/12) ÷ (1/20) = (5/12) × 20 = 25/3 = 8.33 days

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Question 6: Speed & Distance

A bus covers a distance in 8 hours at 60 km/h. What speed is needed to cover the same distance in 6 hours?

Solution: Distance = 60 × 8 = 480 km Required speed = 480/6 = 80 km/h

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Question 7: Simple Interest

A sum amounts to ₹9800 in 2 years and ₹12005 in 5 years at simple interest. Find the principal.

Solution: SI for 3 years (5-2) = 12005 - 9800 = ₹2205 SI for 1 year = 735 SI for 2 years = 1470

Principal = 9800 - 1470 = ₹8330

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Question 8: Probability

Two cards are drawn from a deck without replacement. What is the probability both are kings?

Solution: P(first king) = 4/52 = 1/13 P(second king | first king) = 3/51 = 1/17

P(both kings) = (1/13) × (1/17) = 1/221

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Question 9: Series

Find the next term: 1, 4, 10, 19, 31, ?

Solution: Differences: 3, 6, 9, 12 (increasing by 3) Next difference = 15 Next term = 31 + 15 = 46

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Question 10: Coding-Decoding

If DELHI is coded as CCIDD, how is MUMBAI coded?

Solution: Pattern: Each letter -1, -2, -3, -4, -5 D→C(-1), E→C(-2), L→I(-3), H→D(-4), I→D(-5)

MUMBAI: M→L(-1), U→S(-2), M→J(-3), B→X(-4), A→V(-5), I→D(-6) = LSJXVD

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Question 11: Blood Relations

Pointing to a lady, Arun said, "She is the daughter of my grandfather's only daughter." How is the lady related to Arun?

Solution: Grandfather's only daughter = Arun's mother (if Arun has no aunt) Daughter of Arun's mother = Arun's sister

The lady is Arun's sister

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Question 12: Direction Sense

A man walks 10m North, turns right and walks 15m, turns right and walks 10m. How far is he from start and in which direction?

Solution: North 10m, East 15m, South 10m Net: 15m East from start

15m East

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Question 13: Logical Reasoning

All cars are vehicles. Some vehicles are red. Which conclusion follows? a) All cars are red b) Some cars are red c) Some red things are vehicles d) None

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Question 14: Calendar

What was the day of the week on August 15, 1947?

Solution: 1600 years = 0 odd days 300 years = 1 odd day 46 years = 35 normal + 11 leap = 35 + 22 = 57 = 1 odd day Jan to Aug 15 = 31+28+31+30+31+30+31+15 = 227 days = 3 odd days

Total = 0 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 5 odd days Friday

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Question 15: Data Interpretation

Ola ride bookings: Monday=500, Tuesday=600, Wednesday=550, Thursday=700, Friday=800. Find average daily bookings.

Solution: Average = (500 + 600 + 550 + 700 + 800) / 5 = 3150 / 5 = 630 rides

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💻 Technical/CS Questions (10 with Solutions)

Question 1: Data Structures

Find the middle element of a linked list in one pass.

class ListNode:
    def __init__(self, val=0):
        self.val = val
        self.next = None

def find_middle(head):
    slow = fast = head
    while fast and fast.next:
        slow = slow.next
        fast = fast.next.next
    return slow.val

Time Complexity: O(n), Space Complexity: O(1)

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Question 2: Algorithms

Implement binary search iteratively.

def binary_search(arr, target):
    left, right = 0, len(arr) - 1
    
    while left <= right:
        mid = (left + right) // 2
        if arr[mid] == target:
            return mid
        elif arr[mid] < target:
            left = mid + 1
        else:
            right = mid - 1
    
    return -1

Time Complexity: O(log n), Space Complexity: O(1)

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Question 3: Operating Systems

Difference between process and thread.

Feature	Process	Thread
Memory	Separate address space	Shared address space
Creation	Heavyweight	Lightweight
Communication	IPC required	Direct sharing
Crash impact	Isolated	Affects entire process
Resource	More resources	Fewer resources

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Question 4: DBMS

Explain database normalization and its forms.

Benefits: Reduces redundancy, prevents anomalies

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Question 5: Networks

Explain HTTP vs HTTPS.

Feature	HTTP	HTTPS
Security	Unencrypted	Encrypted (SSL/TLS)
Port	80	443
Certificate	Not required	SSL certificate required
SEO	No boost	Search engine boost
Use case	Testing	Production

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Question 6: OOP

Explain method overloading vs overriding.

# Overloading (simulated in Python)
def greet(name, greeting="Hello"):
    print(f"{greeting}, {name}!")

# Overriding
class Parent:
    def show(self):
        print("Parent")

class Child(Parent):
    def show(self):  # Override
        print("Child")

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Question 7: System Design

Design a rate limiter for an API.

import time
from collections import defaultdict

class RateLimiter:
    def __init__(self, max_requests, window_seconds):
        self.max_requests = max_requests
        self.window = window_seconds
        self.requests = defaultdict(list)
    
    def is_allowed(self, user_id):
        now = time.time()
        user_requests = self.requests[user_id]
        
        # Remove old requests
        while user_requests and user_requests[0] < now - self.window:
            user_requests.pop(0)
        
        if len(user_requests) < self.max_requests:
            user_requests.append(now)
            return True
        return False

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Question 8: SQL

Write a query to find duplicate emails in a table.

SELECT email, COUNT(*) as count
FROM users
GROUP BY email
HAVING COUNT(*) > 1;

-- Or to get all duplicate records
SELECT u1.*
FROM users u1
JOIN users u2 ON u1.email = u2.email AND u1.id != u2.id;

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Question 9: Algorithms

Find the longest palindromic substring.

def longest_palindrome(s):
    if len(s) < 2:
        return s
    
    def expand_from_center(left, right):
        while left >= 0 and right < len(s) and s[left] == s[right]:
            left -= 1
            right += 1
        return s[left + 1:right]
    
    result = ""
    for i in range(len(s)):
        # Odd length
        odd = expand_from_center(i, i)
        # Even length
        even = expand_from_center(i, i + 1)
        
        result = max(result, odd, even, key=len)
    
    return result

print(longest_palindrome("babad"))  # Output: "bab" or "aba"

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Question 10: Java/Python

Difference between ArrayList and LinkedList in Java.

Feature	ArrayList	LinkedList
Implementation	Dynamic array	Doubly linked list
Access	O(1) random access	O(n) sequential access
Insert/Delete	O(n)	O(1) at ends
Memory	Less overhead	More overhead (pointers)
Use case	Frequent access	Frequent modifications

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📝 Verbal/English Questions (10 with Solutions)

Question 1: Synonyms

Choose the word closest in meaning to "NIMBLE": a) Slow b) Agile c) Heavy d) Clumsy

Explanation: Nimble means quick and light in movement; agile means the same.

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Question 2: Antonyms

Opposite of "FRUGAL": a) Economical b) Wasteful c) Careful d) Thrifty

Explanation: Frugal means economical; wasteful means using resources carelessly.

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Question 3: Error Spotting

Identify the error: "The number of vehicles on road have increased."

Explanation: "The number" is singular, so use "has increased".

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Question 4: Sentence Completion

The electric vehicle market is _______ rapidly in India. a) shrinking b) stagnating c) expanding d) decreasing

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Question 5: Para Jumbles

Arrange: (A) has transformed (B) Ola (C) urban transportation (D) in India

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Question 6: Reading Comprehension

Passage: "Electric vehicles are gaining popularity due to rising fuel costs and environmental concerns..."

Question: Why are EVs becoming popular? Answer: Rising fuel costs and environmental concerns.

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Question 7: Idioms

Meaning of "to burn the midnight oil": a) To waste time b) To work late into the night c) To study briefly d) To start a fire

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Question 8: One Word Substitution

A person who travels regularly to work: a) Tourist b) Commuter c) Passenger d) Voyager

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Question 9: Active to Passive

Convert: "Ola launched its electric vehicle in 2021."

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Question 10: Analogy

Battery : Electric Car :: Fuel : ? a) Station b) Petrol Car c) Engine d) Tank

Explanation: A battery powers an electric car; fuel powers a petrol car.

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💻 Coding Questions (5 with Python Solutions)

Question 1: Valid Parentheses

Check if string has valid balanced parentheses.

def is_valid(s):
    stack = []
    mapping = {')': '(', '}': '{', ']': '['}
    
    for char in s:
        if char in mapping:
            top = stack.pop() if stack else '#'
            if mapping[char] != top:
                return False
        else:
            stack.append(char)
    
    return not stack

# Examples
print(is_valid("()"))      # True
print(is_valid("()[]{}"))  # True
print(is_valid("(]"))      # False
print(is_valid("([)]"))    # False

Time Complexity: O(n), Space Complexity: O(n)

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Question 2: Maximum Subarray (Kadane's Algorithm)

Find contiguous subarray with maximum sum.

def max_subarray(nums):
    if not nums:
        return 0
    
    current_sum = max_sum = nums[0]
    
    for num in nums[1:]:
        current_sum = max(num, current_sum + num)
        max_sum = max(max_sum, current_sum)
    
    return max_sum

# Example
print(max_subarray([-2,1,-3,4,-1,2,1,-5,4]))  # Output: 6 (subarray [4,-1,2,1])

Time Complexity: O(n), Space Complexity: O(1)

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Question 3: First Missing Positive

Find the smallest missing positive integer.

def first_missing_positive(nums):
    n = len(nums)
    
    # Place each number in its correct position
    for i in range(n):
        while 1 <= nums[i] <= n and nums[nums[i] - 1] != nums[i]:
            nums[nums[i] - 1], nums[i] = nums[i], nums[nums[i] - 1]
    
    # Find first position where number doesn't match
    for i in range(n):
        if nums[i] != i + 1:
            return i + 1
    
    return n + 1

# Examples
print(first_missing_positive([1,2,0]))     # Output: 3
print(first_missing_positive([3,4,-1,1]))  # Output: 2
print(first_missing_positive([7,8,9,11,12]))  # Output: 1

Time Complexity: O(n), Space Complexity: O(1)

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Question 4: Group Anagrams

Group strings that are anagrams of each other.

from collections import defaultdict

def group_anagrams(strs):
    groups = defaultdict(list)
    
    for s in strs:
        # Use sorted string as key
        key = ''.join(sorted(s))
        groups[key].append(s)
    
    return list(groups.values())

# Optimized version using character count
def group_anagrams_optimized(strs):
    groups = defaultdict(list)
    
    for s in strs:
        count = [0] * 26
        for char in s:
            count[ord(char) - ord('a')] += 1
        key = tuple(count)
        groups[key].append(s)
    
    return list(groups.values())

# Example
print(group_anagrams(["eat","tea","tan","ate","nat","bat"]))
# Output: [["eat","tea","ate"],["tan","nat"],["bat"]]

Time Complexity: O(n × k log k) where k is max string length Space Complexity: O(n × k)

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Question 5: Top K Frequent Elements

Find k most frequent elements.

from collections import Counter
import heapq

def top_k_frequent(nums, k):
    # Count frequencies
    count = Counter(nums)
    
    # Use heap to find top k
    return heapq.nlargest(k, count.keys(), key=count.get)

# Alternative using bucket sort
def top_k_frequent_bucket(nums, k):
    count = Counter(nums)
    
    # Bucket by frequency
    freq = [[] for _ in range(len(nums) + 1)]
    for num, cnt in count.items():
        freq[cnt].append(num)
    
    result = []
    for i in range(len(freq) - 1, 0, -1):
        for num in freq[i]:
            result.append(num)
            if len(result) == k:
                return result
    
    return result

# Example
print(top_k_frequent([1,1,1,2,2,3], 2))  # Output: [1, 2]

Time Complexity: O(n log k), Space Complexity: O(n)

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🎯 Interview Tips

Technical Interview Tips:

1. Core CS Fundamentals: Be strong in data structures, algorithms, OS, DBMS, and networks. Ola focuses heavily on fundamentals.

2. Practice Coding: Solve problems on LeetCode, especially arrays, strings, trees, and graphs.

3. Real-World Application: Think about how your solutions would work in production. Consider edge cases and scalability.

4. Know Ola's Tech Stack: Ola uses Java, Python, Go, and cloud technologies. Familiarity with these helps.

5. EV Domain Knowledge: If interviewing for Ola Electric, basic understanding of electric vehicles and battery technology is a plus.

HR Interview Tips:

6. Company Knowledge: Research Ola's recent initiatives - Ola Electric, Ola Financial Services, Krutrim AI.

7. Why Ola? Prepare a compelling answer about contributing to India's mobility revolution and sustainability through EVs.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difficulty level of Ola coding rounds?

A: Ola's coding rounds are moderate to difficult. Focus on solving medium-level LeetCode problems with optimal solutions.

Q2: Does Ola ask system design questions for freshers?

A: Basic system design concepts may be asked. Focus on understanding scalability, database design, and API design.

Q3: What technologies should I prepare for?

A: Java, Python, SQL, and familiarity with microservices architecture. Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS/GCP) is a plus.

Q4: How is Ola different from other ride-hailing companies?

A: Ola has diversified into electric vehicles (Ola Electric), financial services, and AI (Krutrim). They focus heavily on the Indian market and sustainability.

Q5: What is the work culture at Ola?

A: Ola has a fast-paced, startup-like culture with high ownership. Employees often get to work on impactful projects with significant responsibilities.

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Best of luck with your Ola placement preparation! 🚕⚡

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expected salary range for Ola placements in 2026?

Ola’s compensation for 2026 typically varies by role (SDE, data, product, operations) and level (intern vs full-time). For many campus hires, packages often fall in the mid-to-high range of the Indian product-company band, with a mix of fixed salary and performance-linked components. The exact CTC depends on your interview performance, location, and the final offer structure.

What are the eligibility criteria for Ola placements 2026?

Eligibility generally includes being in the final year (or eligible batch for internships) with a strong academic record and relevant coursework. Most drives also require a minimum CGPA/percentage cutoff and good communication skills, along with basic proficiency in coding and problem-solving. Specific eligibility can differ by campus and role, so always check the official job description for the exact criteria.

How difficult are Ola placement rounds for 2026?

Ola interviews are usually considered moderately to highly competitive because they test both coding fundamentals and real problem-solving under time constraints. Expect a mix of DSA-style questions, coding efficiency, and scenario-based evaluation depending on the team. Candidates who prepare consistently for data structures, algorithms, and system thinking tend to perform better.

What preparation tips work best for Ola placement papers 2026?

Focus on mastering core DSA topics first, arrays, strings, hashing, stacks/queues, linked lists, trees, graphs, dynamic programming, and greedy techniques. Practice coding in a structured way: solve problems, review edge cases, and improve time complexity. Also prepare for behavioral questions by mapping your projects to measurable outcomes (impact, scale, metrics).

What are the typical interview rounds in Ola placements 2026?

A common process includes an online coding assessment followed by one or more technical rounds (coding + DSA/CS fundamentals). Many candidates also face a behavioral round or HR discussion to evaluate communication, teamwork, and motivation. For some roles, there may be additional rounds like system design or role-specific technical deep dives.

Which topics are most commonly asked in Ola placement papers 2026?

Common topics include arrays and strings, hashing, sliding window/two pointers, recursion and backtracking, trees and BST operations, graph traversal/shortest paths, and dynamic programming. You may also see questions on complexity analysis, coding optimization, and sometimes basic SQL or data interpretation depending on the role. For non-coding rounds, expect questions around product thinking, metrics, and practical decision-making.

How can I apply for Ola placements 2026?

You can apply through your college’s placement portal or the company’s official careers page when the 2026 drive is live. Ensure your resume is tailored to the role, highlighting relevant projects, internships, and measurable achievements. After applying, keep an eye on email/portal updates for test links and scheduling instructions.

What is the selection rate for Ola placements 2026?

The selection rate varies significantly by campus, role, and the number of applicants, so there isn’t a single fixed percentage for 2026. However, competition is typically high, and candidates who clear the coding rounds with strong correctness and efficiency have a better chance of moving forward. Aim to maximize your score in the online assessment and be thorough with DSA + project-based explanations to improve your odds.