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Capgemini's Interview Process (2026)

Blog / Capgemini's Interview Process (2026)

Capgemini's software engineer hiring process is fairly well-documented, and most candidates report going through 3 to 4 structured stages. The exact format depends on whether you're applying through the campus Exceller program or as an experienced lateral hire.

Online Assessment (Freshers / Exceller Program): A multi-section test that typically covers Technical MCQs, Pseudocode tracing, an AI-proctored English Communication round, and a Game-Based Cognitive Assessment using interactive logic games. Most candidates report this takes around 2 to 3 hours in total.
Coding Assessment (Freshers / Exceller Program): A standalone coding round with 2 problems to solve in around 45 minutes. Supported languages are usually C, C++, and Java, though candidates have reported Python is restricted in some 2025/2026 drives, so it's worth confirming before your session.
Recruiter Screen (Lateral / Experienced Hires): A short introductory call, usually around 15 minutes, covering your current skills, notice period, and compensation expectations.
L1 Technical Interview: A 45 to 60 minute deep dive into your specific tech stack. Experienced candidates typically face questions on Java, Spring Boot, React, or whichever technologies are listed on their resume.
Technical Interview (Freshers) / L2 Technical or Managerial Interview (Lateral): For freshers, this is a 30 to 60 minute conversation focused on core fundamentals and your project work, often virtual via Teams or Webex. For lateral hires, this round shifts toward system design, project architecture, and broader problem-solving.
HR Interview: A short discussion, usually 10 to 20 minutes for freshers, covering cultural fit, role expectations, and compensation. For lateral hires, this is typically the final offer and documentation stage.

The technical content across these stages falls into a few clear areas. Focus your prep on the following categories:

Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA): Coding problems covering arrays, strings, and basic algorithmic thinking.
CS Fundamentals & OOP: Core computer science concepts including OOP principles, databases, and networking.
SQL & Databases: SQL queries, joins, and relational database concepts.
System Design: High-level architecture and system design, primarily for experienced hires.
Behavioral: Cultural fit, situational questions, and communication assessment.

1. Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA)The coding round gives you 2 problems in 45 minutes, so speed and accuracy both matter. Problems tend to sit at a beginner-to-medium difficulty level, with common topics including string manipulation (palindromes, anagrams), array operations (removing duplicates, swapping without a third variable), and number series like Fibonacci.Working through our top 100 DSA questions is a solid way to build coverage across these patterns quickly.For arrays and two-pointer problems in particular, practice writing clean solutions without relying on Python if you're a fresher, since some 2025/2026 Exceller drives have restricted it. Confirming language support before the round could save you a last-minute scramble.Solving both problems tends to qualify candidates for higher-grade offers (Senior Software Engineer / A5), while solving just one typically results in an Analyst-level offer. That context makes it worth pushing for full solutions rather than partial ones.

2. CS Fundamentals & OOPCapgemini interviewers put real emphasis on the four OOP pillars: Inheritance, Polymorphism, Abstraction, and Encapsulation. Expect to explain each one with a concrete real-world example, not just a textbook definition.For Java-specific roles, be ready for questions on Java 8 Streams, the Optional class, HashMap vs. ConcurrentHashMap, and the volatile keyword. These are reported frequently enough that they're worth treating as near-certain if Java is on your resume.The Online Assessment also includes Technical MCQs covering IT fundamentals like Computer Networks and Cloud Computing basics. Brushing up on networking fundamentals will help across both the MCQ section and any follow-up questions in the technical interview.

3. SQL & DatabasesSQL questions appear in both the MCQ round and technical interviews. The most commonly reported topics are Inner vs. Outer Joins, Group By vs. Order By, and the difference between Primary and Foreign keys.For a solid foundation before the assessment, review SQL theory covering joins and aggregation. Questions like Department Top Three Salaries reflect the kind of analytical SQL problems that come up in technical discussions.

4. System DesignSystem design questions are mainly relevant for lateral (experienced) hires at the L2 stage. Interviewers typically ask for a high-level walkthrough of a past project, with follow-up questions on microservices communication and AWS deployment using services like EC2 and S3.For the Circuit Breaker Pattern and microservices architecture questions that come up at this level, working through High-Level Design case studies will give you a structured way to talk through trade-offs. Practicing on our System Design Whiteboard can also help you get comfortable drawing and explaining architectures in a live interview setting.

5. BehavioralCapgemini's behavioral round is short, usually 10 to 20 minutes, but the Communication Assessment earlier in the process is automated and AI-proctored. You're evaluated on pronunciation, fluency, and your ability to speak clearly on a given topic for 45 seconds, so casual preparation here isn't enough.For the HR and managerial interview questions (like 'Tell me about a time you disagreed with a lead'), structure your answers using the STAR principle to stay focused and keep responses under 90 seconds. The Behavioral Playbook covers the specific question types that come up in these shorter-format rounds.

ConclusionCapgemini's process rewards candidates who prepare specifically rather than broadly. Focus on pseudocode tracing and OOP fundamentals for the assessment, clean array and string solutions for the coding round, and STAR-structured answers for behavioral questions. Follow the Capgemini Interview Roadmap for a step-by-step plan that covers every stage in the right order.