Software engineer (fresher) job description template
Software engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software systems using engineering principles and programming languages. In India's IT services sector, freshers are typically onboarded through campus placements and trained on Java, Python, or .NET stacks before deployment to client projects. Use our fresher software engineer job description template to attract top engineering talent from Indian campuses. It covers key responsibilities, required skills, Indian education requirements, salary insights (Cost to Company (CTC)), and the selection process.
Job title:
Software Engineer (Fresher)
Location:
Bengaluru, Karnataka (pan-India deployment to client locations)
Job type:
Full-time, Permanent
Reports to:
Project Manager / Technical Lead
Experience:
Fresher (0 years)
Employment type:
Permanent
About the role
We are looking for entry-level software engineers to join our engineering team through campus hiring. Freshers complete a structured initial learning program (Initial Learning Program (ILP)). This covers domain fundamentals and technology stacks before project deployment. This role is ideal for 2025/2026 engineering graduates with strong fundamentals in programming and data structures.
About the company: - Established: 1968 (TCS equivalent) / 1981 (Infosys equivalent) - Tier-1 IT services company - Employees: 300,000+ - Industry: IT Services (software development, consulting, BPM) - Certifications: ISO 27001, CMMI Level 5, SOC 2 - Presence: 55+ countries, 150+ delivery centres across India - Known for: Consistently ranked among India's top 3 IT services exporters by National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM)
Software engineer (fresher) roles and responsibilities
Fresher software engineers work in Agile teams and are responsible for the following: - Develop, test, and maintain software applications using Java, Python, or .NET under senior guidance - Write clean, efficient code following organizational coding standards and participate in peer code reviews - Attend daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives as part of Agile/Scrum teams - Troubleshoot and debug production issues under supervision; perform root cause analysis for assigned defects - Create and maintain technical documentation including design documents, API specifications, and test cases - Complete 2-3 month structured initial learning program covering domain fundamentals and assigned technology stack - Support client communication and coordinate with offshore teams as required
Software engineer (fresher) qualifications and skills
Successful candidates should demonstrate the following skills: - Strong foundation in object-oriented programming, data structures, algorithms, and SQL - Working proficiency in Java, Python, C++, or JavaScript with hands-on experience from academic projects or internships - Basic understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Git version control, and REST API fundamentals - Ability to solve analytical problems and write optimised code under time constraints - Good written and verbal communication skills in English - Willingness to relocate pan-India and work in shifts if required
Education and Experience Requirements - Degree: Bachelor of Engineering (BE) / Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, or related branches - Minimum 60% or 6.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) throughout Class 10, Class 12 / HSC, and engineering graduation - No active backlogs at the time of application - Batch: 2025 or 2026 passing year - Prior software development internships are a plus but not required.
Software engineer (fresher) average salary
In India, fresher software engineers at tier-1 IT services companies earn ₹3.5-6 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA) CTC. This depends on the company, city of deployment, and academic profile. Top-tier product company freshers may earn ₹12-30 LPA. The figures above reflect the IT services segment which accounts for over 70% of fresher hiring.
Source: Naukri Salary Index 2025-26; National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) India Tech Sector Report 2025.
Benefits - CTC includes: Basic + HRA + Special Allowances + Variable pay (usually 10-20% of CTC based on individual performance) - Statutory: Provident Fund (PF) at 12% of basic, Gratuity (payable after 5 continuous years), Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) if gross ≤₹21,000/month - Additional: Group medical insurance (₹3-5 lakh coverage), term life insurance, annual performance bonus - Perks: Subsidised transport / cab facility, subsidised meals, learning platform subscriptions (iON, Udemy, Coursera), employee assistance program - Confirmation: Annual increment post-confirmation (typically 8-15% for freshers)
Other details - Probation period: 12 months (extendable up to 18 months based on performance) - Notice period: 90 days during employment; 30 days during probation - Immediate joiners preferred: No - campus hiring follows batch-wise joining - Bond / Service agreement: 24-month service agreement with ₹75,000-1,00,000 damages if broken within bond period - Working days: 5 days a week (Monday to Friday); alternate Saturdays may apply for some projects - Work mode: Work from Office (client office post-training; hybrid for select projects) - Shifts: General shift primarily; rotational shifts for client-facing support roles - Relocation support: Yes - company provides relocation assistance or joining bonus for outstation candidates
Selection process
1. Online assessment: 90-minute test covering aptitude, logical reasoning, verbal ability, and coding (Cocubes / AMCAT / HackerEarth)
2. Technical interview: 45-60 minute interview covering data structures, algorithms, OOP concepts, DBMS, and problem-solving on a whiteboard or shared editor
3. HR interview: 15-20 minute discussion on communication skills, location flexibility, team fitment, and salary expectations
4. Document verification: Original mark sheets, degree certificate, government ID, and passport-size photographs
5. Offer rollout: Conditional offer based on medical check and background verification
How to apply - Platform: Apply through the company's campus placement portal or careers website (e.g., TCS NextStep, Infosys SPRINGBOARD, Wipro Careers) - Documents: Resume (PDF), scanned copies of mark sheets (Class 10, 12, all semesters), government ID (Aadhaar / PAN), passport-size photograph - Timeline: Campus hiring rounds run July-December for onboarding starting January-April the following year - Referral: If referred by an employee, include the referral ID in the application
Frequently asked questions
1. What does a software engineer do in India?
Software engineers in India's IT services sector work on application development, maintenance, and support for global clients across banking, retail, telecom, and healthcare domains. They typically join through campus hiring, complete an initial training program, and then work in Agile teams on client projects. The role involves coding, debugging, documentation, and client coordination.
2. What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in India?
A BE or BTech in Computer Science, IT, or Electronics & Communication with minimum 60% aggregate is the standard requirement for campus hiring. Master of Computer Applications (MCA) graduates are also eligible at most companies. Proficiency in Java, Python, or JavaScript and strong fundamentals in data structures and algorithms are expected.
3. What is the average salary of a fresher software engineer in India?
Entry-level salaries at tier-1 IT services companies range from ₹3.5-6 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA) CTC. Product companies (Flipkart, Amazon, Uber) pay ₹12-30 LPA for freshers. The IT services segment accounts for the majority of fresher hiring in India.
4. How can I hire the right software engineer in India?
Partner with campus placement cells at AICTE/UGC-approved engineering colleges. Use coding assessments (HackerEarth, Cocubes) for initial screening, followed by technical and HR interviews. Look for candidates with active GitHub profiles or open-source contributions, internships, and strong communication skills.