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Ola Placement Papers 2025 - DSA Questions, System Design & Interview Process

Download free Ola placement papers 2025 with coding questions and solutions. Access DSA problems, system design, interview process, eligibility, salary, and complete preparation guide for 2025-2026 campus recruitment.

Ola (ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) is India’s leading mobility platform and one of the world’s largest ride-hailing companies. Founded in 2010 by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, Ola is known for its technology-driven transportation, electric mobility, AI-powered services including Kruti multilingual AI agent, and digital innovation, serving millions of users across India and international markets.

Headquarters: Bengaluru, India
Employees: 7,000+ globally

Industry: Mobility, Technology
Revenue: $1.1+ Billion USD (2023)

Ola Eligibility Criteria for Freshers 2026

Section titled “Ola Eligibility Criteria for Freshers 2026”

Academic Requirements

Minimum CGPA Required for Placement in Ola:

10th Standard: 65% or 6.5 CGPA

12th Standard: 65% or 6.5 CGPA

Graduation: 65% or 6.5 CGPA (aggregate)

Degree: B.E./B.Tech/M.E./M.Tech/MCA in Computer Science, IT, ECE, EE, or related fields

Year of Study: Final year students and recent graduates (within 1 year)

Backlogs: No active backlogs at the time of selection

Branch Eligibility

Eligible Branches: CS, IT, ECE, EE, and related engineering streams

Programming Focus: Strong skills in Data Structures, Algorithms, and System Design

Experience: Freshers and up to 2 years experience (for entry-level SDE roles)

Additional Criteria

Coding Skills: Proficiency in at least one language (Java, C++, Python, Go)

Gap Years: Maximum 1 year gap allowed

Course Type: Full-time degrees only

Nationality: Indian citizens (for India roles)

SDE-1 Role

Primary Role: Software Development Engineer - 1 (Entry-level)

Salary Package: ₹16-22 LPA for freshers

Selection: Through Online Assessment (OA) and Technical Interviews

Test Validity: OA scores valid for current hiring cycle

Is 6.5 CGPA Good for Ola?

Yes, 6.5 CGPA (65%) is the minimum requirement for Ola. However, candidates with higher CGPA (7.5+ or 75%+) have better chances of selection. Strong coding skills, DSA knowledge, and system design understanding are equally important and can compensate for lower CGPA.

Ola CGPA Cutoff

Minimum: 6.5 CGPA (65%)

Average Selected: 7.5-8.0 CGPA (75-80%)

For Premium Roles: 8.0+ CGPA (80%+) preferred

Ola Placement Papers - Download Previous Year Papers PDF

Section titled “Ola Placement Papers - Download Previous Year Papers PDF”

Download free Ola placement papers 2025 with previous year questions, detailed solutions, exam pattern, and complete preparation guide. Access Ola last 5 years placement papers with solutions PDF download and practice with solved questions covering all sections.

Ola Last 5 Years Placement Papers with Solutions PDF Download

Section titled “Ola Last 5 Years Placement Papers with Solutions PDF Download”

2024 Placement Papers PDF

Download Ola placement papers 2024 PDF with previous year OA questions, solutions, and exam pattern analysis.


Download 2024 Papers PDF →

2025 Placement Papers PDF

Download latest Ola placement papers 2025 PDF with current year OA questions, solutions, and updated exam patterns.


Download 2025 Papers PDF →

2026 Preparation Guide

Prepare for Ola placement 2026 with expected OA pattern, question types, and comprehensive preparation strategy.


Start Preparing →

Get comprehensive access to Ola last 5 years placement papers with solutions PDF download covering 2020-2025 OA exams. These papers include:

  • 2020-2025 OA Question Papers: Complete previous year Ola OA papers
  • Detailed Solutions: Step-by-step solutions for all coding problems
  • Answer Keys: Complete answer keys for quick reference
  • Exam Pattern Analysis: Year-wise OA pattern changes and trends
  • Topic-wise Questions: Questions organized by DSA topics (arrays, trees, graphs, DP)

Online Assessment Guide

Complete guide to Ola online assessment (OA) format, DSA problems, coding questions, and preparation strategy.


View OA Guide →

Campus Recruitment

College Visits - Through placement cells at top engineering colleges

Direct registration via college coordinators

Off-Campus Drives

Ola Careers Portal - Apply online for Software Engineer and other roles

Participate in Ola Tech Hunt, hackathons, and coding contests

Online Assessment

Direct Apply - olacabs.com/careers

Register with academic details and resume

Detailed Ola Online Assessment (OA) Exam Pattern 2025

Section titled “Detailed Ola Online Assessment (OA) Exam Pattern 2025”

The Ola Online Assessment (OA) is the first screening round that evaluates candidates’ coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and technical knowledge.

  1. Online Coding Assessment (OA) - 90-120 minutes

    Total Questions: 2-3 coding problems Total Marks: Variable (based on test cases passed) Negative Marking: No negative marking Platform: HackerRank or Ola’s internal tool

    Section-wise Breakdown:

    SectionQuestionsDifficultyTime (Minutes)Focus Area
    Coding Problems2-3Medium-Hard60-90DSA, Algorithms
    Debugging1-2Medium15-30Code Analysis

    Section Details:

    • Coding Problems: Data structures (arrays, trees, graphs, strings), algorithms (sorting, searching, DP), problem-solving
    • Debugging: Find and fix bugs in provided code, optimize solutions

    Passing Criteria:

    • Solve at least 2-3 coding problems correctly
    • All test cases must pass for each problem
    • Code should be optimized (time and space complexity)

    Success Rate: ~10-15% of candidates advance to technical interviews

    Time Management Strategy:

    • Allocate 20-30 minutes per coding problem
    • Start with easier problems to build confidence
    • Leave 10-15 minutes for review and optimization
    • Focus on correctness first, then optimization
  2. Technical Interviews (2-3 rounds, 45-60 min each)

    Format: Virtual (Zoom/Teams) or Onsite

    • DSA Focus: Arrays, trees, graphs, dynamic programming, string manipulation
    • Coding: Write code in real-time (Java, C++, Python, Go)
    • System Design (for SDE-1/2): Design scalable systems (e.g., ride matching, payment gateway, real-time location tracking)
    • Projects: Deep dive into academic and internship projects
    • Evaluation: Problem-solving approach, code quality, communication, system design thinking
  3. Managerial/Team Fit Interview (1 round, 45 min)

    Format: Senior engineer or manager

    • Ola Values: Customer focus, innovation, ownership
    • Scenario-based: Handling ambiguity, teamwork, leadership
    • Technical Discussion: Architecture decisions, trade-offs
    • Evaluation: Technical and cultural fit
  4. HR/Offer Discussion (20-30 min)

    Format: HR Manager

    • Personal Background: Education, interests, relocation
    • Compensation: Salary, joining date, benefits
    • Company Fit: Motivation for joining Ola
    • Final Negotiation: Package discussion, start date
PhaseDurationKey Activities
Online Assessment1 dayCoding, debugging
Technical Interviews1-2 weeksDSA, system design
Managerial/Team Fit2-3 daysOla values, teamwork
HR DiscussionSame dayOffer, negotiation
Result Declaration2-3 daysOffer letter, background check

Evaluate the Transportation Company Ola on Agentic-Test

Section titled “Evaluate the Transportation Company Ola on Agentic-Test”

Ola, as a leading transportation company, has integrated agentic AI systems into its platform to improve user experience, optimize operations, and enhance customer service. The most notable example is Kruti, Ola’s multilingual AI agent designed to perform real-world tasks like booking taxis, ordering food, and providing customer support.

Kruti AI Agent

Multilingual AI Assistant: Ola’s flagship AI agent supporting multiple Indian languages

Capabilities:

  • Taxi booking and ride management
  • Food ordering through Ola Foods
  • Customer support and query resolution
  • Natural language understanding in regional languages

Technology: Advanced NLP, speech recognition, and conversational AI

Ride Matching Algorithms

Intelligent Driver-Rider Matching: AI-powered algorithms for optimal ride allocation

Features:

  • Real-time location tracking and matching
  • Dynamic pricing based on demand
  • Route optimization for drivers
  • ETA prediction and traffic analysis

Customer Support Automation

Automated Support Systems: AI agents handling customer queries and issues

Capabilities:

  • 24/7 customer support
  • Ticket resolution automation
  • Refund and complaint handling
  • Multi-language support

Predictive Analytics

Demand Forecasting: AI agents predicting ride demand patterns

Applications:

  • Surge pricing optimization
  • Driver allocation strategies
  • Route planning and traffic prediction
  • Market trend analysis

Evaluation Framework for Ola’s Agentic Systems

Section titled “Evaluation Framework for Ola’s Agentic Systems”

When evaluating the transportation company Ola on agentic-test, consider the following key metrics and frameworks:

Task Completion Rate: Measure the percentage of tasks successfully completed by Ola’s AI agents (e.g., successful ride bookings through Kruti).

Response Accuracy: Evaluate the correctness of AI agent responses to user queries and commands.

Error Rate: Track the frequency of failures, misunderstandings, or incorrect actions by agentic systems.

Uptime and Availability: Monitor system availability and downtime to ensure 24/7 service reliability.

Data Privacy: Assess how Ola’s agentic systems handle user data, location information, and payment details.

Authentication and Authorization: Evaluate security measures for AI agent interactions, especially for financial transactions.

Bias Detection: Test for potential biases in AI decision-making, particularly in driver allocation, pricing, or customer service.

Adversarial Testing: Conduct tests to ensure agents can handle malicious inputs or edge cases safely.

Response Time: Measure latency in AI agent responses (e.g., time to confirm booking, answer queries).

Natural Language Understanding: Evaluate how well agents understand user intent, especially in regional languages.

Conversation Quality: Assess the naturalness and helpfulness of interactions with AI agents.

User Satisfaction Scores: Collect feedback on user experience with Ola’s agentic systems.

Load Handling: Test agentic systems under high traffic conditions (peak hours, festivals, events).

Concurrent User Support: Measure how many simultaneous interactions agents can handle effectively.

Resource Efficiency: Evaluate computational resources required for agent operations.

Scalability Testing: Assess system performance as user base and transaction volume grow.

Conversion Rate: Measure how agentic systems impact booking completion rates.

Cost Reduction: Evaluate savings from automated customer support vs. human agents.

Revenue Impact: Assess contribution of AI agents to overall business revenue.

Customer Retention: Measure how agentic systems affect customer loyalty and repeat usage.

Testing Methodologies for Ola’s Agentic Systems

Section titled “Testing Methodologies for Ola’s Agentic Systems”

Scenario-Based Testing

Real-World Scenarios: Test agents with actual use cases

  • Booking rides in different cities
  • Handling payment failures
  • Managing ride cancellations
  • Multi-language interactions
  • Edge cases and error handling

A/B Testing

Comparative Analysis: Compare agent performance with human agents

  • Response time comparison
  • Resolution rate analysis
  • User preference studies
  • Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Continuous Monitoring

Real-Time Evaluation: Monitor agent performance in production

  • Log analysis and error tracking
  • Performance metrics dashboards
  • User feedback collection
  • Automated alerting systems

Challenges in Evaluating Ola’s Agentic Systems

Section titled “Challenges in Evaluating Ola’s Agentic Systems”
  1. Multilingual Complexity: Testing AI agents across multiple Indian languages and dialects
  2. Dynamic Environment: Transportation systems operate in constantly changing conditions (traffic, weather, demand)
  3. Real-Time Requirements: Agents must respond quickly to time-sensitive ride booking requests
  4. Scale Testing: Evaluating systems handling millions of transactions daily
  5. Integration Testing: Ensuring agents work seamlessly with existing Ola infrastructure

Best Practices for Agentic-Test Evaluation

Section titled “Best Practices for Agentic-Test Evaluation”
  1. Define Clear Test Objectives

    Establish specific goals for testing Ola’s agentic systems:

    • What tasks should agents perform?
    • What success criteria define good performance?
    • What edge cases need coverage?
  2. Create Comprehensive Test Scenarios

    Develop test cases covering:

    • Normal operations (standard ride bookings)
    • Edge cases (network failures, payment issues)
    • Stress scenarios (high traffic, peak hours)
    • Security scenarios (unauthorized access attempts)
  3. Implement Automated Testing

    Use automated frameworks to:

    • Run regression tests continuously
    • Monitor performance metrics
    • Detect regressions early
    • Scale testing efficiently
  4. Collect Real User Data

    Gather production data to:

    • Understand actual usage patterns
    • Identify common failure modes
    • Improve test coverage
    • Validate test scenarios
  5. Establish Feedback Loops

    Create mechanisms for:

    • User feedback collection
    • Error reporting and analysis
    • Continuous improvement
    • Model retraining triggers

Based on industry analysis and user reports, Ola’s agentic systems demonstrate:

  • Kruti AI Agent: Successfully handles 70%+ of customer queries in supported languages
  • Ride Matching: 95%+ accuracy in optimal driver-rider matching
  • Response Time: Average response time under 2 seconds for booking confirmations
  • Uptime: 99.5%+ availability for critical agentic services
  • User Satisfaction: 4.2/5 average rating for AI agent interactions

Future Developments in Ola’s Agentic Systems

Section titled “Future Developments in Ola’s Agentic Systems”

Ola continues to invest in enhancing its agentic capabilities:

  • Advanced Multimodal AI: Integration of voice, text, and visual inputs
  • Predictive Agents: Proactive suggestions for users (ride recommendations, food orders)
  • Autonomous Vehicle Integration: AI agents for self-driving car operations
  • Enhanced Personalization: Agents learning individual user preferences
  • Expanded Language Support: Adding more regional languages to Kruti
Section titled “Interview Questions Related to Agentic Systems”

If you’re preparing for Ola interviews, you may encounter questions about agentic systems:

How would you design an AI agent for ride matching?

Answer: Design considerations include:

  • Real-time location tracking and matching algorithms
  • Demand-supply balancing
  • Dynamic pricing integration
  • Multi-objective optimization (distance, time, driver rating)
  • Scalability for millions of concurrent requests
  • Fallback mechanisms for edge cases
How would you test an AI agent system like Kruti?

Answer: Testing approach:

  • Unit tests for individual agent components
  • Integration tests for end-to-end workflows
  • Scenario-based testing with real-world use cases
  • Load testing for high traffic scenarios
  • Security testing for data privacy and authentication
  • A/B testing against baseline systems
  • Continuous monitoring in production
What metrics would you use to evaluate an agentic system?

Answer: Key metrics:

  • Task completion rate
  • Response accuracy and latency
  • User satisfaction scores
  • Error rate and failure modes
  • Cost per interaction
  • Scalability metrics (concurrent users, throughput)
  • Business impact (conversion rates, revenue)

Resources for Learning About Agentic Systems

Section titled “Resources for Learning About Agentic Systems”
  • Ola Engineering Blog: Insights into Ola’s AI and agentic system development
  • AI Agent Evaluation Platforms: Tools like Openlayer for testing agentic systems
  • Research Papers: Academic papers on autonomous agents and multi-agent systems
  • System Design Resources: Learn about designing scalable agentic architectures

Key Takeaway: When evaluating the transportation company Ola on agentic-test, focus on reliability, security, user experience, and business impact. Ola’s investment in AI agents like Kruti demonstrates its commitment to leveraging autonomous systems for improved transportation services.

Array Manipulation

Given an array of integers, find the maximum sum subarray (Kadane’s Algorithm).
def max_subarray_sum(arr):
max_sum = float('-inf')
current_sum = 0
for num in arr:
current_sum += num
if current_sum > max_sum:
max_sum = current_sum
if current_sum < 0:
current_sum = 0
return max_sum

Graph Traversal

Given a graph, find the shortest path between two nodes.

This problem is a classic example of finding the shortest path in a graph using algorithms like Dijkstra’s or Breadth-First Search (BFS). The problem statement typically involves a graph represented by an adjacency matrix or list, and two nodes (source and destination). The goal is to find the minimum number of edges or the minimum sum of weights from the source to the destination.

Example:

// Assuming a graph is represented using an adjacency matrix
// int graph[V][V] = { {0, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 8, 0},
// {4, 0, 8, 0, 0, 0, 0, 11, 0},
// {0, 8, 0, 7, 0, 4, 0, 0, 2},
// {0, 0, 7, 0, 9, 14, 0, 0, 0},
// {0, 0, 0, 9, 0, 10, 0, 0, 0},
// {0, 0, 4, 14, 10, 0, 2, 0, 0},
// {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0, 1, 6},
// {8, 11, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 7},
// {0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 6, 7, 0} };
// int src = 0;
// int dest = 4;
// int V = 9;
// int dist[V];
// bool sptSet[V];
// for (int i = 0; i < V; i++)
// dist[i] = INT_MAX, sptSet[i] = false;
// dist[src] = 0;
// for (int count = 0; count < V - 1; count++) {
// int u = minDistance(dist, sptSet, V);
// sptSet[u] = true;
// for (int v = 0; v < V; v++)
// if (!sptSet[v] && graph[u][v] && dist[u] != INT_MAX
// && dist[u] + graph[u][v] < dist[v])
// dist[v] = dist[u] + graph[u][v];
// }
// cout << "Shortest distance from " << src << " to " << dest << " is " << dist[dest];

Dynamic Programming

Given a set of coins, find the minimum number of coins to make a given amount.

This problem is a classic example of the Coin Change Problem, which is a variation of the Knapsack Problem. The goal is to find the minimum number of coins needed to make a given amount using a set of coin denominations. This problem can be solved using Dynamic Programming (DP) with a bottom-up approach.

Example:

int coinChange(int coins[], int m, int amount) {
int dp[amount + 1];
dp[0] = 0;
for (int i = 1; i <= amount; i++)
dp[i] = INT_MAX;
for (int i = 1; i <= amount; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < m; j++) {
if (coins[j] <= i) {
int sub_res = dp[i - coins[j]];
if (sub_res != INT_MAX && sub_res + 1 < dp[i])
dp[i] = sub_res + 1;
}
}
}
return dp[amount];
}
Practice More Ola Interview Questions →

DSA Fundamentals

Arrays & Strings: Manipulation, searching, sorting

Trees & Graphs: Traversals, shortest path, DFS/BFS

Dynamic Programming: Memoization, tabulation

Hashing: Hash maps, sets

System Design Basics

Mobility Architecture: Ride matching, payments, driver allocation

Database Design: SQL vs NoSQL, normalization

API Design: RESTful APIs, authentication

Scalability: Load balancing, caching, sharding

“Tell me about yourself”

  • Focus on projects, leadership, and Ola’s values
  • Highlight relevant experience in mobility tech, AI, or system design
  • Mention passion for solving real-world problems

“Describe a time you worked in a team”

  • Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format
  • Emphasize collaboration, communication, and outcomes

“Describe a challenging project you worked on”

  • Focus on technical challenges, problem-solving approach
  • Highlight scalability, performance, or system design aspects

Interview Experiences - Real Candidate Stories

Section titled “Interview Experiences - Real Candidate Stories”

Candidate Background: B.Tech Computer Science, 8.2 CGPA, 2 internships in backend development, strong DSA skills

Round 1 - Online Assessment (OA)

Experience: The OA was conducted on HackerRank with 3 coding problems:

  1. Array Problem: Find maximum sum subarray (Kadane’s algorithm variant)
  2. Tree Problem: Find lowest common ancestor in a binary tree
  3. Graph Problem: Shortest path in a weighted graph (Dijkstra’s algorithm)

Time Allocated: 120 minutes

Approach: I solved all 3 problems correctly, focusing on optimal time complexity. The debugging section had 2 questions where I had to identify and fix bugs in provided code.

Result: Cleared OA, advanced to technical interviews

Round 2 - Technical Interview 1 (60 minutes)

Questions Asked:

  • Started with “Tell me about yourself” and project discussion
  • Coding Problem: Design a data structure to support insert, delete, and getRandom in O(1) time
  • Follow-up: Optimize for space complexity
  • System Design: Design a ride matching system for Ola

Approach:

  • Explained my approach clearly before coding
  • Used HashMap + ArrayList for the data structure problem
  • Discussed trade-offs and edge cases
  • For system design, covered scalability, load balancing, database design, real-time matching

Result: Positive feedback, advanced to next round

Round 3 - Technical Interview 2 (45 minutes)

Questions Asked:

  • Coding Problem: Implement LRU Cache with O(1) operations
  • Algorithm Discussion: Explain Dijkstra’s algorithm and when to use it
  • System Design: Design a payment gateway with transaction safety
  • Project Deep Dive: Detailed discussion on my internship project

Approach:

  • Implemented LRU using HashMap + Doubly Linked List
  • Explained algorithm complexity and use cases
  • Discussed ACID properties, idempotency, retry mechanisms for payment system
  • Walked through project architecture and design decisions

Result: Strong performance, advanced to managerial round

Round 4 - Managerial/Team Fit Interview (45 minutes)

Questions Asked:

  • Ola Values: “Describe a time you demonstrated ownership”
  • Scenario: “How would you handle a production issue at 2 AM?”
  • Teamwork: “Describe a conflict you resolved in a team”
  • Technical Discussion: Architecture decisions, trade-offs in system design

Approach:

  • Used STAR format for behavioral questions
  • Emphasized customer focus and ownership
  • Discussed on-call responsibilities and incident management
  • Showed alignment with Ola’s values

Result: Cultural fit confirmed, advanced to HR round

Round 5 - HR Interview (30 minutes)

Questions Asked:

  • Personal background and education
  • “Why Ola?”
  • Salary expectations
  • Joining date and relocation
  • Questions about Ola’s culture and growth

Result: Selected - Received offer for SDE-1 role with ₹18 LPA package

Tips:

  • Strong DSA preparation is crucial
  • Practice system design problems relevant to mobility tech
  • Be ready to discuss Ola’s business model and technology
  • Demonstrate alignment with Ola’s values

Candidate Background: M.Tech Computer Science, 8.5 CGPA, 1 year experience in a product company, expertise in distributed systems

Round 1 - Online Assessment (OA)

Experience: OA had 2 medium-hard coding problems:

  1. Dynamic Programming: Coin change problem variant
  2. Graph Algorithm: Detect cycle in directed graph and find all cycles

Solved both problems optimally. Debugging section was straightforward.

Result: Cleared OA

Round 2 - Technical Interview 1 (60 minutes)

Questions Asked:

  • Coding: Implement a rate limiter (sliding window algorithm)
  • System Design: Design Ola’s real-time location tracking system
  • Discussion: Microservices architecture, event-driven systems

Approach:

  • Implemented rate limiter using circular buffer
  • Designed location tracking with WebSockets, Redis for caching, Kafka for events
  • Discussed scalability, fault tolerance, data consistency

Result: Advanced to next round

Round 3 - Technical Interview 2 (60 minutes)

Questions Asked:

  • Coding: Design a distributed cache system (coding + architecture)
  • System Design: Design Ola’s surge pricing system
  • Discussion: CAP theorem, eventual consistency, database sharding

Approach:

  • Discussed cache eviction policies, consistency models
  • Designed surge pricing with real-time demand calculation, pricing algorithms
  • Explained trade-offs between consistency and availability

Result: Advanced to managerial round

Round 4 - Managerial Interview (45 minutes)

Questions Asked:

  • Leadership experience and handling ambiguity
  • Technical decision-making in previous role
  • “How do you stay updated with technology?”
  • Discussion on Ola’s technology roadmap

Result: Advanced to HR round

Round 5 - HR Interview (25 minutes)

Questions Asked:

  • Why leaving current company?
  • Why Ola?
  • Salary negotiation
  • Joining timeline

Result: Selected - Received offer for SDE-2 role with ₹26 LPA package

Tips:

  • System design knowledge is crucial for experienced candidates
  • Be ready to discuss distributed systems, scalability
  • Show interest in Ola’s technology and business

Candidate Background: B.Tech IT, 7.8 CGPA, Final year student, strong communication skills

HR Interview (30 minutes)

Questions Asked:

  1. “Tell me about yourself”
  2. “Why do you want to join Ola?”
  3. “What do you know about Ola’s business?”
  4. “Describe a time you worked under pressure”
  5. “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
  6. “Are you willing to relocate to Bengaluru?”
  7. “What are your salary expectations?”
  8. “Do you have any questions for us?”

Approach:

  • Researched Ola’s business model, technology, and recent developments
  • Prepared STAR stories for behavioral questions
  • Showed enthusiasm for mobility tech and AI
  • Asked thoughtful questions about team structure and growth opportunities

Result: Selected - Received offer for SDE-1 role

Tips:

  • Research the company thoroughly
  • Prepare specific examples using STAR format
  • Show genuine interest in the company and role
  • Ask intelligent questions about the company

DSA Mastery

Priority: Critical

Time Allocation: 50%

  • Practice LeetCode, HackerRank, Codeforces
  • Focus on arrays, trees, DP, strings
  • Solve 100+ coding problems

System Design & OOP

Priority: High

Time Allocation: 20%

  • Learn basics of system design
  • Practice OOP concepts in Java/C++/Python/Go

Ola Values

Priority: High

Time Allocation: 20%

  • Prepare STAR stories for each value
  • Practice mock interviews

Aptitude & Communication

Priority: Medium

Time Allocation: 10%

  • Practice logical reasoning
  • Improve English communication
  • Master DSA fundamentals
  • Practice 2-3 coding problems daily
  • Study Ola company values
  • Build small projects
LevelExperienceBase SalaryTotal PackageTypical Background
SDE-1New Grad₹10-16 LPA₹16-22 LPAFresh graduates, top colleges
SDE-22-4 years₹18-24 LPA₹24-30 LPA2-4 years experience
Senior SDE5-8 years₹28-40 LPA₹40-55 LPASenior developers
Lead Engineer8+ years₹55+ LPA₹70 LPA+Architects, tech leads
RoleLevelTotal PackageRequirements
QA EngineerEntry-Mid₹7-12 LPATesting, automation
Product ManagerMid-Senior₹18-35 LPAProduct sense, tech background
Data ScientistMid₹12-25 LPAML, analytics
DevOps EngineerEntry-Mid₹8-18 LPACloud, automation
  • Flexible Working: Hybrid/remote options
  • Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage
  • Stock Grants: ESOPs for engineers and above
  • Learning & Development: Internal training, certifications
  • Work-Life Balance: Employee assistance, wellness programs
  • Career Growth: Fast-track promotions, global mobility

Hiring Trends 2025

Increased Virtual Hiring: More online assessments and interviews

System Design Emphasis: More focus in interviews

Diversity Hiring: Special drives for women and underrepresented groups

Process Changes

Online Assessments: More debugging and scenario-based questions

Team Fit Round: Mandatory for all SDE hires

Faster Offers: Reduced time from interview to offer

New Initiatives

Ola Tech Hunt: Coding competition for hiring

Student Programs: Internships, Ola Tech Internship

Internal Referrals: Employee referral program

Company Growth

Product Expansion: More engineering and data roles in India

Product Innovation: Mobility, electric vehicles, fintech

Global Mobility: Opportunities to work abroad


Ready to start your Ola preparation? Focus on DSA, system design, and Ola company values. Practice mock interviews and build strong STAR stories.

Pro Tip: Consistent practice on LeetCode and HackerRank is key. Understand Ola’s values and be ready to demonstrate them in behavioral rounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Ola Placement

Section titled “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Ola Placement”
What are Ola placement papers?

Ola placement papers are previous year question papers from Ola recruitment tests and interview rounds. These papers help students understand the exam pattern and prepare effectively.

Are Ola placement papers free to download?

Yes, all Ola placement papers on our website are completely free to access and download. You can practice unlimited questions without any registration or payment.

How recent are the Ola placement papers available?

We provide Ola placement papers from recent years including 2024 and 2025. Our collection is regularly updated with the latest questions and exam patterns.

What is the Ola placement process?

Ola placement process typically includes online assessment, technical interview, and HR interview rounds. See the placement process section for complete details.

How many rounds are there in Ola interview?

Ola interview process typically consists of 2-3 rounds: online test, technical interview, and HR interview. Some roles may have additional rounds.

What is Ola eligibility criteria for freshers?

Ola eligibility criteria for freshers include minimum percentage requirements, degree requirements, and other criteria. Check the eligibility section for detailed information.

What is the minimum CGPA required for Ola?

The minimum CGPA required varies by role. Check the eligibility criteria section for specific requirements.

What is the salary for freshers in Ola?

Ola salary for freshers (2025-2026): SDE-1: ₹16-22 LPA (entry-level, fresh graduates from top colleges), SDE-2: ₹24-30 LPA (2-4 years experience), Senior SDE: ₹40-55 LPA (5-8 years), Lead Engineer: ₹70 LPA+ (8+ years). Other roles: QA Engineer (₹7-12 LPA), Product Manager (₹18-35 LPA), Data Scientist (₹12-25 LPA), DevOps Engineer (₹8-18 LPA). All figures are total annual compensation including base salary, performance bonuses, stock options (ESOPs), and benefits.

What is Ola SDE-1 role?

Ola SDE-1 (Software Development Engineer - 1) is the primary entry-level role for freshers: Role: Software Development Engineer - 1 (Entry-level position), Salary Package: ₹16-22 LPA for freshers, Selection: Through Online Assessment (OA) and Technical Interviews, Responsibilities: Backend/frontend development, system design, API development, working on ride matching, payment systems, or AI agents like Kruti, Growth Path: SDE-1 → SDE-2 → Senior SDE → Lead Engineer, Skills Required: Strong DSA, system design basics, proficiency in Java/C++/Python/Go.

What are the benefits of working at Ola?

Ola offers comprehensive benefits: Flexible Working (hybrid/remote options), Health Insurance (comprehensive coverage for employee and family), Stock Grants (ESOPs for engineers and above), Learning & Development (internal training, certifications, conference attendance), Work-Life Balance (employee assistance programs, wellness programs), Career Growth (fast-track promotions, global mobility opportunities), Free Rides (discounted or free Ola rides), Food & Snacks (free meals, snacks at office), Modern Office (state-of-the-art facilities in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi).

How to prepare for Ola placement?

To prepare for Ola placement: 1. Understand eligibility criteria (6.5+ CGPA, no backlogs), 2. Study exam pattern (OA with DSA problems, technical interviews, system design), 3. Practice previous year Ola placement papers with solutions, 4. Master DSA fundamentals (arrays, trees, graphs, DP) - solve 100+ problems on LeetCode/HackerRank, 5. Learn system design basics (ride matching, payment systems, scalability), 6. Prepare for technical interviews (coding, algorithms, projects), 7. Prepare for behavioral rounds (Ola values: customer focus, innovation, ownership), 8. Take mock tests to improve time management. See the preparation strategy section for detailed guidance.

What topics should I focus on for Ola?

Focus on: DSA Fundamentals (arrays, trees, graphs, dynamic programming, string manipulation) - 50% of preparation time, System Design (scalability, load balancing, caching, database design, API design) - 20% of preparation time, Coding Practice (solve 100+ problems on LeetCode, HackerRank, Codeforces) - critical, Ola Values & Behavioral (customer focus, innovation, ownership, STAR stories) - 20% of preparation time, Core CS Subjects (OOPs, DBMS, OS, Networking) - 10% of preparation time. See the preparation strategy section for detailed topic breakdown.

How many Ola placement papers should I practice?

Practice at least 5-10 Ola placement papers from previous years (2020-2025). Focus on: Solving all coding problems with optimal solutions, Understanding question patterns and difficulty levels, Time management (solve problems within time limits), Reviewing solutions and learning different approaches, Practicing debugging questions. Additionally, solve 100+ problems on LeetCode/HackerRank covering arrays, trees, graphs, DP, and system design.

Is Ola placement easy or difficult?

Ola placement is considered moderately difficult to difficult: Online Assessment: Medium-Hard difficulty, requires solving 2-3 DSA problems optimally, Technical Interviews: Challenging, focus on system design and scalability, Success Rate: ~10-15% of candidates advance from OA to interviews, Competition: High, especially for SDE-1 roles from top colleges. However, with proper preparation (strong DSA, system design, coding practice), it is achievable. Focus on solving 100+ coding problems and understanding system design principles.

Why should I join Ola?

Reasons to join Ola: Innovation & Technology (work on cutting-edge AI agents like Kruti, ride matching algorithms, payment systems), Scale & Impact (serve millions of users, solve real-world transportation problems), Growth Opportunities (fast-track career growth, work on diverse projects), Learning & Development (exposure to distributed systems, AI/ML, scalability challenges), Competitive Compensation (₹16-22 LPA for freshers, ESOPs, comprehensive benefits), Modern Tech Stack (work with latest technologies, microservices, cloud infrastructure), Electric Mobility (contribute to sustainable transportation solutions), Startup Culture (fast-paced, ownership, innovation).

Are Ola placements only for CS/IT students?

Ola primarily hires from CS, IT, ECE, and EE branches for technical roles. However: Eligible Branches: CS, IT, ECE, EE, and related engineering streams, Strong DSA and system design skills are essential regardless of branch, Some roles (Product Manager, Data Scientist) may accept candidates from other backgrounds with relevant skills, Focus on demonstrating strong coding and problem-solving abilities.

Do I need to relocate for Ola?

Ola has offices in multiple Indian cities: Primary Locations: Bengaluru (headquarters), Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Other Locations: Chennai, Pune, Kolkata, Relocation: May be required depending on team and role, Hybrid/Remote: Ola offers flexible working options (hybrid/remote) for many roles, Discuss relocation preferences during HR interview. Most engineering roles are based in Bengaluru.

Ola vs Uber vs Zomato - Which is better for freshers?

Ola: Indian company, strong in AI agents (Kruti), electric mobility focus, ₹16-22 LPA for SDE-1, good growth opportunities, strong in ride-hailing and food delivery. Uber: Global company, strong brand, ₹18-25 LPA for SDE-1, excellent learning opportunities, global mobility options. Zomato: Food delivery focus, ₹15-20 LPA for SDE-1, strong in logistics and delivery optimization, good work culture. Recommendation: Choose based on your interests - Ola for AI/mobility tech, Uber for global exposure, Zomato for food tech. All offer competitive packages and good learning opportunities.

Is Ola better than service-based companies?

Ola (Product-Based): Higher salary (₹16-22 LPA vs ₹3-6 LPA), better learning (work on real products, system design), faster growth, ownership and impact, challenging work. Service-Based (TCS, Infosys, Wipro): Lower salary (₹3-6 LPA), slower growth, less ownership, more stable, training programs. Recommendation: If you want higher salary, faster growth, and product experience, Ola is better. If you prefer stability and training, service-based companies may suit you. However, Ola offers better career prospects for ambitious engineers.

Last updated: November 2025