The Tata Consultancy Services National Qualifier Test (TCS NQT) is a recruitment test conducted by TCS to assess and hire fresh graduates and professionals. The reasons why TCS NQT might be a paid test include:

1. Administration Costs: Organizing and conducting a large-scale exam involves various costs such as hiring venues, invigilators, and administrative staff, as well as the logistics of securely managing test papers and results.
2. Quality Assurance: Maintaining a high standard for the test requires investment in developing reliable and valid test questions, as well as ensuring that the test is conducted fairly and securely.
3. Infrastructure: The technical infrastructure required to conduct an online test at scale includes server costs, cybersecurity measures, and technical support.
4. Market Differentiation: Charging a fee can help in filtering out non-serious candidates, ensuring that those who apply are genuinely interested and prepared for the test.
5. Revenue Model: For TCS, conducting NQT as a paid test can also serve as a revenue stream, helping to offset the costs associated with recruitment and potentially funding other initiatives.
6. Third-party Involvement: If TCS partners with third-party organizations for test delivery and management, there might be costs involved that are passed on to the candidates.

Charging a fee can help manage these various aspects effectively, ensuring a smooth and high-quality recruitment