HCL GUVI STaR: 60-Minute Free Coding Test That Awards Scholarships

Two realities shape this moment for anyone planning a tech career. First, the India Graduate Skills Index 2025 reported that only 42.6% of graduates were employable in 2024 – a decline from 44.3% in 2023. 

Second, according to a survey by Fibe, 69% of learners see budget constraints as their biggest roadblock to upskilling. Together, these numbers reveal the core challenge: skills are in demand, but affordability hinders access for most.

HCL GUVI STaR addresses both issues with a focused format: a free, 60-minute online coding test on October 4 and 5, 2025. Perform well, and your score will convert into a scholarship that covers up to 100% of course fees. 

Even if you don’t top the ranks, every participant receives learning resources, certificates, and a clear assessment of coding strengths and gaps.

What you get from HCL GUVI STaR: in plain numbers

• 100% scholarship for Rank 1 (tie-break decided by a Lucky Wheel).
• 75% scholarship for Ranks 2 and 3.
• 25% scholarship for Ranks 4–10.
• 10% scholarship plus a self-paced premium course bundle for Rank 11 and below.
• Merit certificates for Top 10 performers; participation certificates for all.
• All registrants get access to curated self-paced resources.

Registration is free. The test is a 60-minute online coding assessment with no negative marking.

How the test helps you

• Be informed: you’ll get a clear snapshot of your strengths and gaps, not a vague score.
• Save money: top ranks directly reduce course fees by specific, large percentages.
• Dependable recognition: Merit and Participation certificates add credibility to your profile.
• Convenience: the platform creates your account and delivers everything by email, so entry is quick.
• A bargain bundle: even non-winning participants receive learning resources that would otherwise cost time and money.

Bridging the skills-cost gap in one focused hour

When employability rates are slipping and cost is the top barrier to learning, the obvious question is: how can you prove your skills and reduce fees at the same time? That’s where the STaR Scholarship Test comes in. It compresses both challenges into a single, clear format, a one-hour online coding assessment.

In just 60 minutes, you not only test your problem-solving ability but also open the door to significant scholarships on career-ready programs in Full-Stack Development, Data Science, and AI/ML. Even if you don’t finish at the very top, you still walk away with premium resources, certificates, and an honest measure of where you stand today.

After the test, use the results strategically

• If you score high, claim the scholarship, and choose the program that maps directly to an entry-level job profile (Full-Stack for product roles, Data Science/AI for analytics roles).
• If you land outside the top ranks, use the premium bundle to bridge gaps identified in your report. Treat the assessment report as a study roadmap, not a verdict.

Who should take it

Students in any stream, fresh graduates, and early-career professionals looking to switch into tech. Basic coding knowledge is enough; the test measures problem-solving and applied programming, not decades of experience.

The Job Market Rewards Skills, Not Intentions

The hiring cycle for the next wave of tech jobs is in motion. Companies are shortlisting candidates who can solve problems, code under pressure, and show proof of ability. Those without evidence of skills are slipping through the cracks.

The latest employability numbers confirm the challenge: fewer than half of graduates today meet industry readiness benchmarks. Yet, the demand for skilled professionals in Full-Stack Development, Data Science, and AI/ML continues to climb. The gap between what industries need and what most candidates bring has never been wider.

This is where urgency matters. Every week of delay means others are moving ahead, earning certificates, securing scholarships, and preparing for roles you might still be considering. By the time hiring peaks later this year, the competition will already have built stronger resumes.

The STaR test is a chance to close that gap. In just one hour, you can prove where you stand, reduce course costs significantly, and add credentials that employers value immediately. Wait, and the opportunity passes. Act now, and you turn 2025 into the year your tech career actually begins.

Final note: why act now

The skills market is shifting fast. A focused credential plus a scholarship removes two barriers: cost and clarity on what to learn next. Preparation that is specific, practiced, and timed converts directly to better outcomes.

Register on the Scholarship Test landing page, run through a mock, and show up on Oct 4 or 5, ready to convert focused practice into a scholarship that pays for the next step in your tech career.