Infosys & Wipro Backlog Rules: Active vs. Dead Backlogs

The Big Three: Understanding the Differences

TCS, Infosys, and Wipro are the "Big Three" IT mass recruiters in India. While they offer similar starting salaries (ranging from 3.3 LPA to 4.0 LPA for base roles), their academic filtering algorithms are entirely different.

If you assume the leniency of TCS applies to Infosys and Wipro, you will face harsh rejections on Day 1 of campus placements.

Here is the exact breakdown of the Infosys and Wipro backlog policies for 2026.

Infosys Backlog Criteria

Infosys is generally stricter than TCS when it comes to active backlogs, but they compensate by demanding a slightly lower baseline percentage in some regions.

1. Active Backlogs: Infosys strictly demands Zero Active Backlogs at the time of registration and the interview. If you have a single uncleared subject in your 7th semester, you cannot sit for the Infosys placement drive.

2. Dead Backlogs (History of Arrears): Like most mass recruiters, Infosys ignores your history of backlogs. If you failed 3 subjects in your past but have successfully cleared them before the placement drive, you are completely eligible.

3. Academic Cutoffs:

Class 10th: 60% minimum

Class 12th (or Diploma): 60% minimum

B.Tech / Graduation: 65% (or 6.5 CGPA) is the standard, though Infosys sometimes lowers this to 60% for specific Tier-1 and Tier-2 colleges.

4. Education Gap: Infosys allows a maximum of 2 years of educational gap, but strictly no gaps are allowed during the B.Tech degree. A Year Back disqualifies you.

Wipro Backlog Criteria (Elite National Talent Hunt)

Wipro's recruitment is primarily driven through their NTH (National Talent Hunt). Their rules are uniquely structured.

1. Active Backlogs: Wipro allows 1 Active Backlog at the time of the online assessment and interview. However, similar to TCS, this backlog must be completely cleared before you receive your final joining letter.

2. Dead Backlogs: Wipro allows a maximum of 3 Dead Backlogs (History of Arrears) during your entire degree. If you have failed and cleared 4 subjects in your past, Wipro's algorithm will reject your application. This is a critical difference from TCS and Infosys, which do not limit cleared backlogs.

3. Academic Cutoffs:

Class 10th: 60% minimum

Class 12th: 60% minimum

B.Tech: 60% (6.0 CGPA) minimum

4. Education Gap: Wipro allows up to a 3-year gap between 10th and graduation. However, strictly zero gaps are allowed during the B.Tech duration.

Strategic Advice for Placement Season

If you are entering your 7th semester with 1 Active Backlog, your strategy is dictated by the companies:

You can sit for TCS and Wipro.

You cannot sit for Infosys or Cognizant.

Your immediate priority must be clearing that active backlog in the next supplementary cycle. Do not risk losing your TCS or Wipro offers by failing the supplementary exam.

(To instantly calculate your eligibility across 20+ top Indian IT companies based on your exact CGPA and backlog count, use our Placement Eligibility Calculator).