The grading system in India plays a vital role in assessing students’ academic performance. Adopted globally, this method evaluates a student’s learning abilities and understanding of subjects. Traditionally, India’s education system relied on the percentage system for grading. However, in 2009, a significant shift occurred when the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) replaced the percentage-based grading with a more standardized grading system. This transition aimed to provide a more holistic evaluation of students’ performance.
In this blog, we will explore the reasons behind the introduction of the grading system in India and explain how it works to calculate scores effectively.
This Blog Includes:
- Why was the Grading System in India Introduced?
- Understanding the Grading System in India
- Conversion of Percentage to GPA
- Types of Grading Systems in India
- Scale of The University in India
- UGC Grade Scale
- Anna University Grade System
- University of Madras Grade Scale
- Indraprastha University Grade Scale
- Gujrat University Grade Scale
- FAQs
Why was the Grading System in India Introduced?
The grading system in India was introduced not only to match the international range of grades but to also take the load off from students. While the marks allotted in the age-old percentage system focused on the quantity, the scores obtained in the grading system are based on the student’s ability to understand the concepts. The following are the major reasons why a grading system became a necessity for formulating an effective education system in India.
- Reducing Examination Stress: One of the primary reasons for implementing the grading system was to ease the examination pressure. The grading system evaluates students not just on academic performance but also on internal assignments, classroom projects, and participation, making learning more comprehensive and less monotonous.
- Highlighting Strengths and Weaknesses: By categorizing students into different grading scales, the system helps identify their strengths and areas for improvement. This enables teachers to provide targeted support to average and underperforming students, giving them a clear path to improvement.
- Parental Insight: The grading system also offers parents a clear understanding of their child’s abilities. By assessing their child’s grades across various areas, parents can better support their child’s development and help them overcome weaknesses.
- Ensuring Uniformity: The grading system promotes consistency across educational institutions, both within India and internationally, making it easier to assess students’ abilities on a global scale.
- Moving Beyond Marks: Unlike the percentage system, the grading system eliminates the focus on marks alone. It takes a more holistic approach to evaluating a student’s overall development.
- Encouraging Personal Growth: Ultimately, the grading system aims to empower students by providing them with a framework to assess and improve themselves, helping them grow both academically and personally.
Must Read: Current Education System in India
Understanding the Grading System in India
To comprehend the grading system in India, you must know about the grading standards of GPA and CGPA which have been explained in detail below.
What is GPA?
GPA stands for the Grade Point Average. It is a standard method of calculating a student’s average score obtained over a stipulated period i.e. a semester or a term. GPA is calculated by dividing the average points scored by a student by the total credit hours attended by the student.
What is CGPA?
CGPA stands for Cumulative Grade Point Average. An important grading system in India, CGPA is used to denote a student’s overall performance in an academic year. The mean GPA of the semesters is first calculated and then it is divided by the total number of credits. Both CGPA and GPA are indicated by a numeric value as opposed to the percentages and different grades that are assigned under the Indian grading system.
Conversion of Percentage to GPA
The Indian school percentages as per the grading system in India and their US grade point equivalent scores are mentioned below.
The formula for conversion of percentage to GPA of 4.0 as well as a 10-point scale is as follows:
For U.S. 4.0 Scale, GPA = (Percentage/100)*4
For 10-point scale, GPA = Percentage/9.5
Types of Grading Systems in India
In India, educational institutions generally follow different grading systems based on the level of education. The most common grading systems include:
- Percentage System
- CGPA-Based System (10-point scale, 7-point scale)
- Letter Grade System
These systems may vary across schools, colleges, and universities, depending on the curriculum and governing educational bodies. Here’s an overview of the commonly used grading systems.
The Percentage System
This is the traditional grading system where student performance is represented as a percentage based on marks obtained. The percentage system is commonly used in schools and some colleges. In this system, marks obtained by students in exams are converted into percentage scores, which are then categorized into four divisions:
- 75% and above – Distinction
- 60% to 75% – First Division
- 50% to 60% – Second Division
- 40% to 50% – Third Division
This system is straightforward and widely understood but doesn’t provide the detailed performance metrics that CGPA systems offer.
CGPA-Based Grading Systems in India
There are two main CGPA-based grading systems in India: the 10-point grading system and the 7-point grading system. Both systems are widely used across universities and colleges, particularly for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
10-Point Grading System
The 10-point grading system is commonly used in Indian schools, colleges, and universities. Under this system, grades are assigned based on student performance, and each grade corresponds to a specific grade point on a scale of 10. Below is a typical example of the 10-point grading system:
Grade | GPA | CGPA | Percentage Range |
A+ | 4.0 | 10.0 | 97-100% |
A | 4.0 | 9.7-10.0 | 93-96% |
A- | 3.7 | 9.4-9.6 | 90-92% |
B+ | 3.3 | 9.1-9.3 | 87-89% |
B | 3.0 | 8.7-9.0 | 83-86% |
B- | 2.7 | 8.4-8.6 | 80-82% |
C+ | 2.3 | 8.1-8.3 | 77-79% |
C | 2.0 | 7.6-8.0 | 73-76% |
C- | 1.7 | 7.3-7.5 | 70-72% |
D+ | 1.3 | 7.0-7.2 | 67-69% |
D | 1.0 | 6.8-6.9 | 65-66% |
E/F | 0.0 | <6.7 | Below 65% |
- CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is calculated based on the grade points obtained across all subjects. A higher CGPA reflects better academic performance.
- GPA (Grade Point Average) is the grade point average for a specific term or semester.
7-Point Grading System
The 7-point grading system is primarily used in certain universities and institutions in India, particularly under the guidelines set by the University Grants Commission (UGC). This system is common in postgraduate courses. Here’s an example of the 7-point grading system:
Grade | GPA | Percentage Range |
O | 9.0-10.0 | 80%-100% |
A | 8.0-8.9 | 70%-79% |
B | 7.0-7.9 | 60%-69% |
C | 6.0-6.9 | 50%-59% |
P | 5.0-5.9 | 40%-49% |
F | Below 5.0 | Below 40% |
This system provides a simpler and more streamlined approach to grading, often used in higher education institutions.
The Letter Grade System
In the letter grade system, students are awarded grades such as A, B, C, etc., which reflect their academic performance but do not directly correspond to numeric values. This system is less precise than the CGPA-based systems and is more commonly used in high school education or some specific courses.
The Letter Grade System generally follows a broad classification:
- A – Excellent
- B – Good
- C – Average
- D – Below Average
- F – Fail
CBSE Grading System
In 2010, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) introduced a 9-point grading system for classes X to XII students. This system assigns a grade based on student performance in both formative and summative assessments. Here’s a comparison of the CBSE grading system with the U.S. grading system:
Grade | Grade Point | Marks Range | US Grade |
A1 | 10.0 | 91-100 | A |
A2 | 9.0 | 81-90 | A |
B1 | 8.0 | 71-80 | B |
B2 | 7.0 | 61-70 | B |
C1 | 6.0 | 51-60 | C |
C2 | 5.0 | 41-50 | C |
D | 4.0 | 33-40 | D |
E1 & E2 | 0.0 | 21-32 | F |
This grading system helps reduce the stress of traditional examinations by focusing on overall student development and learning outcomes.
Some schools and universities in India still use the letter grade system, which is less detailed than the CGPA-based grading systems. In this system, students receive grades like A, B, C, or F. The grades reflect performance levels but do not translate directly into numeric values, making it less precise for calculating cumulative performance.
Also Read: Current Education System in India
Scale of The University in India
Universities are major contributors to higher education in India. The scale of universities in Indian is likely to vary across states. Private and public Indian universities also follow different grading patterns for evaluation. Here are some of the prominent institutes and their process of grading:
UGC Grade Scale
The UGC suggests that all Indian Colleges use a consistent 10-point grading system, with letter grades from O(Outstanding) to F(Fail) and the appropriate number of points. The goal is to make sure that all colleges use the same methods to grade student’s work and figure out their Grade point Average (GPA). Even though there are some differences in how it is used, it has made it easier to compare and understand school results in India.
This grading system categorizes students’ performance based on their percentage marks, as outlined below:
Marks (in %) | Grade Point | Grade |
97.0-100 | 10 | O |
87.0-96.9 | 9.0-9.9 | A+ |
77.0-86.9 | 8.0-8.9 | A |
67.0-76.9 | 7.0-7.9 | B+ |
57.0-66.9 | 6.0-6.9 | B |
47.0-56.9 | 5.0-5.9 | C |
37.0-46.9 | 4.0-4.9 | P |
Below 37.0 | 0 | F |
Absent | 0 | Ab |
Anna University Grade System
A 10-point CGPA system is used at Anna University. Letter grades like “A” (9.0) mean excellent results, and “D” (6.0) means passing grades. More points mean a better GPA, a 7-7.49 out of 10 is known as First division.
Marks (in %) | Grade Point | Grade |
90-100 | 10 | O |
80-90 | 9 | A+ |
70-80 | 8 | A |
60-70 | 7 | B+ |
50-60 | 6 | B |
Less than 50% | 0 | RA |
Short of Attendance | 0 | SA |
Withdrew from exam | 0 | W |
University of Madras Grade Scale
A 10-point system is used at the University of Madras as part of the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS). Grades are given out with “O” (90-100) being the best, “A+” to “D” being next, and “F” being the worst. Also, both the end-of-semester exams and the highest marks for each exam have a passing grade of at least 40%. This method figures out both the general CGPA and the grades for each course that make up a degree.
Marks (in%) | Grade Point | Grade |
90-100 | 9.0-10.0 | O |
80-90 | 8.0-8.9 | D+ |
75-79 | 7.5-7.9 | D |
70-74 | 7.0-7.49 | A+ |
60-69 | 6.0-6.9 | A |
50-59 | 5.0-5.9 | B |
40-49 | 4.0-4.9 | C |
Less than 40 | 0 | U |
Absent | 0 | AAA |
Indraprastha University Grade Scale
The standard 10-point UGC grading method is used at Indraprastha University, with 10 being the best score and 4 being the passing mark. The Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) shows how well a student did. A CGPA of 10 means that the student did exceptionally well and other grades are divided into groups based on their CGPA levels, First: 6.5+, Second: 5-6.49, and Third: 4-4.99.
Marks (in %) | Grade Point | Grade |
90–100 | 10 | O |
75–89 | 9 | A+ |
65–74 | 8 | A |
55–64 | 7 | B+ |
50–54 | 6 | B |
45–49 | 5 | C |
40–44 | 4 | P |
Less than 40 or absent | 0 | F |
Gujrat University Grade Scale
Gujarat University uses the Choice Based Credit System(CBCS) to grade students. A score of 70-100 means that the student is “First Class with Distinction”, “60-69.99 means “First Division”, 50-59.99 means that the student is “Second Division”, and 40-49.99 means “Passing Marks”.
Marks (in %) | Grade Point | Grade |
85-100 | 8.5 and above | O+ |
70-84.99 | 7.0 to 8.49 | O |
60-69.99 | 6.0 to 6.99 | A |
55-59.99 | 5.5 to 5.99 | B+ |
48-54.99 | 4.8 to 5.49 | B |
36-47.99 | 3.6 to 4.79 | C |
35.99 and below | 3.59 and below | D |
The grading systems in India vary across different educational levels and institutions. While the percentage system is still widely used, the CGPA-based grading systems (10-point and 7-point) are becoming more common in schools, colleges, and universities. Each system has its own merits and is designed to cater to different educational needs.
Understanding these grading systems is crucial for students, parents, and educators to accurately assess academic performance and make informed decisions regarding future educational opportunities.
FAQs
Ans: Typically, Indian universities employ a 10-point grading system (though some use a 4-point scale). The whole sum of your grades is divided by the total number of credits you have taken to determine your GPA. There will be a number between 0 and 10 as the outcome. Your grade point average is as follows.
Ans: Most universities consider a GPA between 3.0 and 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is considered respectable. Most prestigious academic institutions demand GPAs of at least 3.5. You can still get admitted with a lower GPA, but you might not be qualified for scholarships.
Ans: In India, academic grades are determined using a percentage system and are referred to as GPA or CGPA.
Ans: In Indian schools, the 10-point grading system is widely used, especially under the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) boards. The grades range from A+ to F, with corresponding grade points to reflect the student’s performance.
Ans: CGPA is calculated by converting the grades in each subject into grade points and then averaging them. For example, if a student has grades A (9 grade points), B+ (8 grade points), and A (9 grade points) in three subjects, their CGPA would be the average of these points: (9 + 8 + 9)/3 = 8.67.
Ans: Percentage refers to the marks a student obtains out of the total possible marks, while CGPA reflects the grade points averaged across all subjects. A percentage is often used in traditional marking systems, while CGPA is used to assess overall academic performance holistically.
Ans: The 10-point grading system is a scale where students are awarded grades like A+, A, B+, etc., based on their performance. Each grade corresponds to a specific grade point on a scale from 0 to 10, where A+ is the highest grade and F indicates failure.
Ans: To convert CGPA to percentage in India, you can multiply the CGPA by 9.5. For example, a CGPA of 8.5 would be equivalent to 8.5 × 9.5 = 80.75%.
Ans: The 7-point grading system is commonly used in higher education institutions like universities. Under this system, students are awarded grades ranging from O (Outstanding) to F (Fail), each corresponding to grade points between 0 and 10.
Ans: No, CGPA scales can vary across universities. While some universities use a 10-point scale, others may use a 7-point or a different system. It is important to understand the specific grading policy of the institution.
Ans: In India, CGPA or grades play a crucial role in university admissions, especially for competitive programs like engineering, medicine, and management. A high CGPA is often a prerequisite for securing scholarships and job placements.
Ans: A grade of ‘C’ generally indicates average performance, with grade points ranging between 5 and 6 (depending on the grading scale). It suggests that the student has met the basic requirements of the course.
Ans: Yes, students can improve their CGPA by retaking exams or supplementary tests, depending on the university or school’s policies. Some institutions also offer grace marks to improve the CGPA.
Ans: An ‘F’ grade indicates failure in a subject. If a student receives an ‘F’ grade, they must reappear for the exam or repeat the course to improve their grade.
Ans: The CGPA system provides a more holistic view of a student’s performance, reducing the stress associated with achieving high percentages. It allows for a cumulative assessment over time and provides better comparability across institutions.
Ans: No, not all schools in India use the grading system. Some state boards and private institutions may still follow the traditional percentage-based evaluation system. However, the grading system is becoming increasingly popular across the country.
Ans: CGPA can be converted to a percentage by multiplying it by 9.5. For instance, a CGPA of 8 would translate to a percentage of 76%.
Thus, continuous efforts are being made to revamp the educational system which is also visible in the changes made to the grading system in India. Calculating and mentioning the CGPA forms an integral part of the admission process. If you are confused about the application process of a particular university then you can feel free to contact Leverage Edu. The counselors will help you complete the cumbersome process and help you get into your dream university.
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Hi Pallavi,
Thanks for your valuable feedback!