Interview Framework at Paytm for a Business Analyst Role 

(For Freshers & Experienced Candidates)

In this blog, I’ll share a detailed breakdown of the Paytm interview process for the Business Analyst role, including insights into the technical rounds, expectations, and how to answer key questions. If you’re preparing for this role, this blog is for you!

---

Round 1: Technical Interview (With Analysts)

Duration: 1 Hour
Structure: This round is conducted by analysts from the team you'll work with. It focuses on SQL, Python, Excel, and Visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical questions and how I would approach them:

1. SQL Questions

• Question: Explain the difference between ROW_NUMBER(), RANK(), and DENSE_RANK().
  Answer:

  • ROW_NUMBER() assigns a unique number to each row, starting from 1, without caring about duplicates.
  • RANK() assigns ranks, but if there are ties, the next rank skips numbers. For example: 1, 2, 2, 4.
  • DENSE_RANK() is similar to RANK(), but it doesn’t skip numbers: 1, 2, 2, 3.

• Question: How would you use a self-join in a scenario?
  Answer: Self-joins are useful for comparing rows in the same table.
  Example: If asked to find employees with the same manager in an Employee table, I would write:

  sql
  
  SELECT e1.name AS Employee1, e2.name AS Employee2  
  FROM Employee e1  
  JOIN Employee e2  
  ON e1.manager_id = e2.manager_id  
  WHERE e1.id != e2.id;
  

2. Python Questions

• Question: Write a Python program to print a star pattern.
  Answer:

  python
  n = 5
  for i in range(1, n+1):
      print("*" * i)
  

• Question: How would you use Pandas to handle missing data?
  Answer: I use the following methods:

  • fillna() to replace null values.
  • dropna() to remove rows or columns with nulls.
  • interpolate() to estimate missing values.

3. Excel Questions

• Question: How do you use a Pivot Table to summarize data?
  Answer: I would explain:
  • Step 1: Select the dataset.
  • Step 2: Go to Insert > Pivot Table.
  • Step 3: Drag relevant fields to Rows, Columns, and Values.
  • Step 4: Apply filters if needed.

4. Visualization Tools

• Question: Which visualization tool have you worked with, and how did you create dashboards?
  Answer: I have worked with Power BI and Tableau to create interactive dashboards.
  • Example: I built a sales dashboard that included KPIs like revenue growth, total sales, and region-based analysis.

---

Round 2: Senior Manager Interview

📌 Duration: 1 Hour
Structure: This round focuses on past impactful projects, technical questions, and your problem-solving ability with puzzles and guesstimates.

1. SQL Scenario-Based Questions

• Question: Write a query to get the second highest salary from the Employee table.
  Answer:

  sql
  SELECT MAX(salary) AS Second_Highest_Salary  
  FROM Employee  
  WHERE salary NOT IN (SELECT MAX(salary) FROM Employee);
  

2. Python Pandas Task

• Question: How would you create a pivot table in Pandas?
  Answer:

  python
  import pandas as pd  
  data = {'Region': ['North', 'South', 'North'],  
          'Sales': [100, 200, 150]}  
  df = pd.DataFrame(data)  
  pivot_table = df.pivot_table(values='Sales', index='Region', aggfunc='sum')  
  print(pivot_table)
  

3. Puzzle or Guesstimate

• Question: How many UPI users are there in Delhi?
  Answer:

  1. Start with Delhi’s population (~30 million).
  2. Assume ~50% have smartphones → 15 million.
  3. Assume ~80% use UPI → 12 million users.

  Tip: Use logical assumptions, break the problem into steps, and justify each assumption.

---

Round 3: Cultural Fit Interview (Optional)

This round focuses on your alignment with Paytm’s mission and team culture.

• Common Question: Why do you want to join Paytm?
  Answer: Paytm’s innovative fintech solutions inspire me. I want to contribute to building user-friendly products and solving real-world problems using my data analysis skills.

---

Round 4: HR and Offer Discussion

If you clear the above rounds, HR will discuss the offer, salary structure, and benefits.

• Question: What are your salary expectations?
  Answer: Based on my experience and market standards, I am looking for a competitive offer that reflects my skills and contributions.

---

Pro Tips for Cracking the Paytm Interview

1. SQL: Focus on window functions, self-joins, and scenario-based queries.
2. Python: Brush up on Pandas, basic scripts, and problem-solving.
3. Guesstimates: Structure your approach logically and clearly.
4. Excel: Know formulas, pivot tables, and data cleaning.