Last updated: 27 October 2026
Zoho is one of the few companies in India that famously does not care much about your degree marks. Its process tests what you can actually code. In 2026, though, Zoho has also said the outlook for software jobs is tough, so it is worth knowing what to expect.
Fresher roles at Zoho
- Software Developer (Member Technical Staff)
- QA Engineer
- ML Engineer
- Technical Support Engineer
- Zoho Schools of Learning (ZSL): a two-year programme for Class 12 or diploma pass-outs aged 17 to 20, with a stipend of ₹10,000 a month in year one and ₹15,000 in year two.
Eligibility
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Degree | B.E./B.Tech in any branch, or MCA |
| Batch | 2024 to 2026 |
| Marks | No published cutoff; Zoho is known for not insisting on marks |
| Backlogs | No official policy; some drives allowed one |
Selection process
- Written aptitude test, about 90 minutes.
- Basic programming round.
- Advanced programming round.
- Technical interview: DSA, OOP and DBMS.
- HR interview.
Expect five to seven rounds in total. For ML roles, ML interviews replace the programming rounds. Practise with our DSA questions and DBMS questions.
Salary for freshers
Reported pay for fresher Software Developers is about ₹6.5 to 8.5 LPA. See what 7 LPA in-hand looks like each month.
How to apply
- Go to careers.zohocorp.com.
- Pick the role and location.
- Apply with your resume; there is no fee.
- For ZSL, watch for the intake challenge ("Zestober" ran in October 2026).
Most drives happen in Tamil Nadu, around Chennai and Tenkasi.
Zoho hiring in 2026: what's new
Zoho skipped salary hikes in 2026 because AI and server costs roughly quadrupled. Founder Sridhar Vembu called the outlook for software jobs "grim". Zoho has not grown headcount for about 18 months, though it says it will try to avoid mass layoffs. Expect a smaller fresher intake and tougher competition.
How to stand out
Zoho's rounds reward people who can write working code under time pressure. Practise timed problems in one language, build a small project you can explain end to end, and be ready to reason about your code out loud.
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FAQs
Is Zoho hiring freshers in 2026?
Yes, but intake is expected to be smaller. Zoho has not grown headcount for about 18 months.
What is the Zoho fresher salary?
About ₹6.5 to 8.5 LPA for Software Developers, as reported.
Does Zoho have a percentage cutoff?
Zoho publishes no marks cutoff and is known for not insisting on degree marks.
How many rounds are there in Zoho recruitment?
Usually five to seven, including aptitude, two programming rounds, a technical interview and HR.
What is Zoho Schools of Learning?
A two-year paid programme for Class 12 or diploma pass-outs aged 17 to 20.
