Zoho Hiring Process: Rounds, Zoho Schools and Off-Campus Routes

Last updated: 8 October 2026 · By the Asuraa Team

Quick answer: Zoho hires through its Candidate Portal and through Zoho Schools of Learning, and it does not require a college degree for any job, as Sridhar Vembu stated in December 2025. Zoho Schools is a free two-year programme for 17- to 20-year-olds after Class 12 or diploma, paying Rs 10,000 a month in year one and Rs 15,000 in year two, with graduates hired by Zoho.

Key takeaways

• Zoho hires through a Candidate Portal for direct roles and through its own Zoho Schools of Learning programme.
• Sridhar Vembu said in December 2025 that no job at Zoho requires a college degree and that HR asks managers to remove degree requirements from postings.
• Zoho Schools of Learning is a two-year, fee-free programme for 17- to 20-year-olds that pays Rs 10,000 a month in year one and Rs 15,000 in year two.
• Zoho says Zoho Schools has more than 2,000 graduates and that about 15% of its workforce joined through the programme.
• Zoho does not publish a fixed round-by-round hiring structure on its careers page, so candidates should follow the instructions in each invitation.

Zoho hires in three distinct ways: regular applications through its candidate portal, its own Zoho Schools of Learning for students straight out of Class 12 or diploma, and a skills-first approach that does not require a college degree for any job. This guide explains each route, what Zoho has said publicly about its hiring, and how to prepare for a programming-heavy evaluation.

How does Zoho hire?

Zoho hires through its careers portal and through Zoho Schools of Learning, and it judges candidates on skills rather than credentials. Its careers page says it looks beyond credentials for people with varied interests and a willingness to learn, and asks candidates to register on its Candidate Portal to be notified when matching roles open (Zoho Careers).

The three main routes:

1. Candidate Portal (graduates and experienced hires). Register, add your skills, and apply when a matching role opens.
2. Zoho Schools of Learning (school leavers). A two-year, fee-free programme that ends in a Zoho job for those who complete it.
3. Marupadi (career returners). A Zoho Schools programme to help women in tech relaunch their careers after a break (Zoho Schools).

Zoho's Indian offices listed on its careers page include Chennai and Tenkasi (Zoho Careers). Its company history also notes offices in smaller towns such as Renigunta and Tharuvai and an R&D centre in Kottarakkara, Kerala (Zoho About Us).

Does Zoho require a college degree?

No. Zoho's co-founder Sridhar Vembu wrote in December 2025 that no job at Zoho requires a college degree, and that if a manager adds a degree requirement to a posting, HR asks them to remove it, as reported by Business Today (4 December 2025) and Storyboard18.

That makes Zoho unusual among large Indian tech employers, many of which filter on degree, percentage and batch. At Zoho, your ability to write good code and solve problems carries the weight a degree certificate carries elsewhere.

What this does not mean: it does not mean Zoho hiring is easy. Removing the degree filter tends to increase competition, because more people can apply. Your work has to speak for you.

What is Zoho Schools of Learning?

Zoho Schools of Learning is Zoho's own two-year training programme for young students, with no fees and a monthly stipend, after which graduates are hired by Zoho. Key facts from Zoho Schools, checked October 2026:

Zoho says the programme has produced more than 2,000 graduates and that about 15% of its workforce joined this way. The curriculum mixes hands-on software engineering with English communication and mathematics, taught by working practitioners.

Zoho Schools also runs a separate School for Graduate Studies for college graduates. Applicants can come from anywhere in India.

What is the Zoho hiring process for graduates and experienced candidates?

Zoho does not publish a fixed, round-by-round structure on its careers page, so expect the exact steps to vary by role and team. Given its skills-first philosophy, the evaluation for engineering roles centres on your ability to write working programs and reason about them, rather than on certificates.

A sensible way to approach it:

1. Register on the Zoho Candidate Portal and list skills you can actually demonstrate.
2. Apply to specific roles as they open, rather than sending generic emails.
3. Expect programming-focused evaluation. Prepare to write complete, correct programs in one language you know well, without relying on an IDE's suggestions.
4. Expect conversations about your work. Be ready to explain any project line by line, including what you would improve.
5. Prepare for a culture conversation. Zoho emphasises learning, so be specific about what you have taught yourself and how.

Read the instructions in each invitation carefully, since they are the only reliable guide to the format for your role.

How should you prepare for Zoho?

Prepare by building real programming depth in one language and proof of work you can show. A practical plan:

1. Pick one language and go deep. C, C++, Java or Python are all fine; what matters is writing clean code from scratch. Our guides on learning Java for jobs and learning Python for jobs give structured paths.
2. Practise core problem solving. Strings, arrays, matrices, recursion, sorting and basic data structures. Follow our DSA preparation guide.
3. Build one or two complete applications. A small inventory system, a booking app or a text-based tool with proper design shows more than many half-finished repositories. See software engineer projects for freshers.
4. Practise explaining your code aloud. Interviewers care about why you made each choice.
5. If you are 17 to 20 and finishing Class 12 or a diploma, look at Zoho Schools of Learning seriously; it is one of the few paid, fee-free routes into a product company without a degree.

Is Zoho a good company for freshers?

Zoho suits freshers who want to work on products and are comfortable outside India's biggest metros. It is a product company: Zoho's own history traces it from AdventNet in 1996 to a suite used by more than 100 million users by 2023 (Zoho About Us). That means new engineers usually work on software Zoho owns and sells, rather than on client projects.

Points to weigh honestly:

• Product work. You build features for Zoho's own apps, which gives deep ownership. Our comparison of product vs service companies explains the trade-offs.
• Location. Many roles sit in Chennai, and Zoho deliberately runs offices in smaller towns such as Tenkasi. That can mean lower living costs, but fewer options if you later want to switch jobs locally.
• Learning culture. Zoho openly prizes self-taught skill, so you are expected to keep learning on your own.
• Pay. Zoho does not publish fresher salary bands, so compare any offer using our guide to checking salary benchmarks in India before accepting.

What do most guides on Zoho hiring get wrong?

Most guides present a specific Zoho round count and test pattern as official. Zoho does not publish one on its careers page, and patterns described online come from individual candidates in specific drives and years. Use them as practice material, not as a promise of what you will face.

A second common mistake is assuming "no degree required" means "anyone can walk in". Zoho's own messaging is about valuing skills and willingness to learn over credentials (Zoho Careers), which raises the bar on demonstrable ability. Candidates without a degree need stronger proof of work, not less.

Finally, many guides mix up Zoho Schools of Learning with regular hiring. Zoho Schools is a training programme with an age range of 17 to 20 that leads to a job, while the Candidate Portal is for direct hiring. Check which one fits you, and confirm current details on Zoho's official sites before applying.

FAQ

How many rounds are there in the Zoho interview process?

Zoho does not publish a fixed round count on its careers page, and the steps vary by role and team. Expect the evaluation for engineering roles to focus on writing complete, working programs and explaining your reasoning, followed by conversations about your work. Follow the instructions in your invitation, since patterns shared online reflect individual drives.

Can I get a job at Zoho without a degree?

Yes. Sridhar Vembu wrote in December 2025 that no job at Zoho requires a college degree, and that HR asks managers to remove degree requirements from postings. You still need to demonstrate strong skills, so build real projects and practise programming in one language before applying through Zoho's Candidate Portal.

What is the stipend at Zoho Schools of Learning?

Zoho Schools of Learning charges no fees and pays a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 in the first year and Rs 15,000 in the second year of its two-year programme. Students who complete the course are hired as Zoho employees, according to the Zoho Schools website, checked in October 2026.

Who is eligible for Zoho Schools of Learning?

The main programme is for students aged 17 to 20 who have completed or are completing Class 12 or a diploma, and Zoho says college graduates should not apply to it. Graduates can look at Zoho's separate School for Graduate Studies. Applicants can come from anywhere in India, and selection is through an entrance exam or an examless evaluation.

Where are Zoho's offices in India?

Zoho's careers page lists Chennai and Tenkasi among its offices. Its company history also mentions offices in Renigunta and Tharuvai and an R&D centre in Kottarakkara, Kerala, while Zoho Schools of Learning runs from four locations in Tamil Nadu. Check each job posting for its exact location.

How do I apply to Zoho off campus?

Register on Zoho's Candidate Portal from its careers page, list skills you can demonstrate, and apply when a matching role opens. Zoho says the portal will notify you about roles that fit your skills. Keep a strong project ready to discuss, since Zoho emphasises ability and willingness to learn over credentials.

Final thoughts

Zoho rewards what you can build, not the certificate you hold, so put your energy into programming depth and one or two complete projects. If you are unsure which route fits you, Zoho Schools or direct hiring, map your next steps with the Asuraa career path planner.