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TCS HackQuest Season 11

Quest Global

  • Pan India (Online)
  • Prize money up to INR 5 Lakhs (no fixed salary)
  • Fresher (0-1 Yrs)
  • Posted Oct 24, 2026
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About the role

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is one of India’s largest IT services and consulting firms, known for its strong focus on innovation, digital transformation, and a culture that nurtures talent across the globe. With a presence in over 46 countries, TCS has built a reputation for delivering end‑to‑end solutions in domains such as banking, retail, manufacturing, and emerging technologies like AI, cloud, and cybersecurity. The company’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CoE) works on safeguarding critical infrastructure, developing threat intelligence platforms, and providing cutting‑edge security services to Fortune‑500 clients. TCS’s commitment to continuous learning is evident through its extensive training programs, certifications, and a vibrant community of security researchers. The TCS HackQuest Season 11 is the 11th edition of the flagship cyber‑arena organized by TCS to identify and reward the brightest minds in cybersecurity among students. This virtual hackathon provides a unique platform for participants to demonstrate their skills in ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, and incident response while competing for a total prize pool of up to INR 5 Lakhs. Winners also receive an interview opportunity with the TCS Cybersecurity CoE, merit‑based certifications, and exclusive merchandise. The event is open to all final‑year engineering, B.Tech, B.Sc, and MCA students across India, provided they possess a valid TCS NextStep reference ID. **Role Summary** Participants will act as junior cybersecurity analysts for the duration of the hackathon, tackling real‑world security challenges, collaborating in virtual teams, and presenting solutions to a panel of TCS experts. The role is designed to test problem‑solving ability, technical depth, and creativity under time constraints. **Key Responsibilities** 1. Analyse provided challenge briefs and identify potential attack vectors. 2. Perform reconnaissance, scanning, and enumeration of target systems. 3. Exploit identified vulnerabilities using industry‑standard tools (e.g., Metasploit, Burp Suite). 4. Develop proof‑of‑concept exploits and document findings. 5. Propose mitigation strategies and secure coding recommendations. 6. Collaborate with teammates via virtual collaboration tools to share insights. 7. Present a concise technical report and live demo to the judging panel. 8. Adhere to ethical hacking guidelines and maintain confidentiality of all data. 9. Stay updated with the latest threat intelligence and security trends. 10. Participate in post‑event debrief sessions and feedback loops. **Tech Stack**: Linux/Unix, Python, Bash scripting, Wireshark, Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, Docker, Git, Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure), SIEM basics. **Growth Path**: High‑performing participants may be fast‑tracked into TCS’s Cybersecurity Analyst or Associate roles, gaining access to structured training, certifications (e.g., CEH, CISSP), and mentorship from senior security architects. The exposure also opens doors to internships, campus placements, and long‑term career opportunities within TCS’s global security practice. **Why Join**: By competing in HackQuest, candidates get hands‑on experience with real‑world security scenarios, a chance to win substantial cash prizes, and a direct interview pipeline with one of the world’s most respected IT services firms. The event also enhances rΓ©sumΓ© credibility, expands professional networks, and provides a platform to showcase innovative thinking to industry leaders.

Eligibility & process

Who can apply

β€’ Must be a final‑year student (2025‑2027 batch) of Engineering (any branch), B.Sc, MCA or related discipline. β€’ Minimum aggregate of 60% (or CGPA 6.0/10) in the qualifying degree. β€’ No active backlogs at the time of registration. β€’ Valid TCS NextStep reference ID (CT/DT number) is mandatory. β€’ Must have a personal email ID and a working phone number for communication. β€’ Participants should have basic knowledge of networking, operating systems, and programming. β€’ Indian nationality or NRI status with eligibility to work in India.

Skills & stack

Ethical Hacking Vulnerability Assessment Penetration Testing Linux Python Bash Scripting Networking Fundamentals

Selection process

  1. Round 1: Online qualification test on 05 Dec 2026 (10 AM – 4 PM IST)
  2. Round 2: Live virtual hackathon challenges and solution presentation
  3. Round 3: HR interview and final selection for interview opportunity with TCS Cybersecurity CoE

Prep kit

20 resources
Study material 4
Company-specific guides 4
Likely coding questions 4
Round-wise strategy 4
Round 1: Online Assessment (OA) Aptitude, Quantitative Logic & 2 Coding Problems Focus on accuracy and speed. Practice arrays, strings, and standard arithmetic puzzles.
Round 2: Technical Interview 1 Core Tech Stack (Ethical Hacking, Vulnerability Assessment, Penetration Testing, Linux, Python, Bash Scripting, Networking Fundamentals) & Live Code Tracing Explain your thought process aloud. Analyze time & space complexities before coding.
Round 3: System Design & Problem Solving Database Schemas, APIs & Architecture Basics Clarify edge cases, diagram schemas cleanly, and discuss scalability trade-offs.
Round 4: HR & Cultural Fit Discussion Quest Global Core Values, Learning Agility & Offer Terms Demonstrate passion, strong communication, and readiness for full-time collaboration.
Technical questions 5
What is the difference between Implicit Wait, Explicit Wait, and Fluent Wait in Selenium? Answer
Model answer: Implicit Wait sets a global timeout for all element lookups. Explicit Wait pauses execution until a specific ExpectedCondition (e.g. elementToBeClickable) is met. Fluent Wait allows defining polling frequency and ignoring specific exceptions like NoSuchElementException.
Explain the Page Object Model (POM) and its advantages in Test Automation. Answer
Model answer: POM is a design pattern that creates an object repository for web UI elements. It separates test scripts from page locators, reducing code duplication and making maintenance easy when UI elements change.
How do you handle dynamic WebElements whose ID changes on page reload? Answer
Model answer: Use dynamic XPath methods like contains(), starts-with(), text(), or XPath axes (ancestor, following-sibling, parent) instead of brittle absolute paths.
What is the difference between @BeforeMethod and @BeforeClass in TestNG? Answer
Model answer: @BeforeClass runs once before the first test method in the current class, while @BeforeMethod executes before each individual test method.
How do you validate REST API response codes and JSON payload using Postman / RestAssured? Answer
Model answer: In RestAssured: given().when().get('/endpoint').then().assertThat().statusCode(200).body('status', equalTo('ACTIVE')).
Behavioural & HR questions 3
Why do you want to join Quest Global as a TCS HackQuest Season 11?
Highlight Quest Global's market reputation, recent tech innovations, and how your skills in Ethical Hacking directly solve their team's objectives.
Describe a challenging bug or academic project roadblock and how you resolved it.
Use the STAR method: Situation (project context), Task (what needed solving), Action (specific tools/logic applied), Result (quantifiable positive outcome).
How do you handle strict deadlines or sudden scope changes?
Explain your prioritization strategy, proactive communication with mentors/peers, and agile mindset.
Quest Global Prize money up to INR 5 Lakhs (no fixed salary)
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