What Is the VTU CBCS Scheme?
Visvesvaraya Technological University introduced the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) for students admitted from the academic year 2015–16. Since then, multiple scheme revisions have been released — the 2018 CBCS Scheme, the 2021 CBCS Scheme, and the 2022 NEP Scheme — but the fundamental grading logic has remained consistent across all of them.
Under CBCS, each subject has a specified number of credits, and your performance is measured not in raw marks but in grade points on a 10-point scale. Your semester performance is summarised as SGPA, and your overall performance across semesters is your CGPA.
How Marks Are Calculated: CIE + SEE
Every theory subject in VTU has two components of assessment:
| Component | Full Form | Max Marks | Passing Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIE | Continuous Internal Evaluation | 40 | No minimum (but 40% of total required) |
| SEE | Semester End Examination | 60 | Minimum 24/60 (40% of SEE) |
| Total | Combined Score | 100 | Minimum 40/100 overall |
Important: A student must score at least 40% in the SEE component independently (minimum 24 out of 60), regardless of how high their CIE marks are. A student who scores 38/40 in internals but only 20/60 in SEE will still receive an F grade and must reappear for the supplementary exam.
How CIE is Calculated
Internal Assessment (CIE) typically comprises:
- 2–3 internal test papers (best of N considered)
- Assignment or quiz marks
- Attendance marks (in some schemes)
The exact CIE structure may vary by department and scheme. Internal marks are finalized by your college and uploaded to the VTU portal before the semester exam schedule begins.
From Marks to Grades: The VTU Grade Matrix
Once the combined total (CIE + SEE, out of 100) is computed, a letter grade is assigned based on the following scale:
| Combined Marks | Letter Grade | Grade Points | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100 | S | 10 | Outstanding |
| 80 – 89 | A | 9 | Excellent |
| 70 – 79 | B | 8 | Very Good |
| 60 – 69 | C | 7 | Good |
| 50 – 59 | D | 6 | Average |
| 40 – 49 | E | 5 | Pass |
| Below 40 | F | 0 | Fail |
VTU uses absolute grading — grades are assigned based on fixed mark ranges, not relative to the class average or a bell curve. This is significant because it means one student's grade is not affected by how well or poorly the rest of the batch performs.
Special Grade Codes on Your Marksheet
Beyond the standard letter grades, your VTU result may show some of these codes:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AB | Absent — student was absent for the SEE paper |
| W | Withheld — result withheld (typically due to malpractice suspicion or pending fees) |
| NSAR | Not Eligible for SEE due to Attendance Shortage |
| P | Pass (used in some schemes for practical subjects) |
| NP | Not Pass (failed practical component) |
Grace Marks Policy
VTU permits grace marks under specific conditions to help students pass. The grace marks policy, as per VTU regulations:
- A student who falls short of passing in one or two subjects may receive up to 5 grace marks per subject, subject to conditions.
- Grace marks are applicable only if the student would pass or improve their class with the grace.
- Grace marks are not applied automatically to all students — they are considered during the tabulation process.
- Grace marks do not apply if the student has more than 2 failed subjects or is detained (NSAR).
The grace marks policy has been revised across schemes. Check the specific regulation document for your year of admission for the exact applicability criteria.
How SGPA Is Calculated
Once letter grades are assigned to all subjects, SGPA is computed as the credit-weighted average of grade points:
See our detailed guide on how to calculate SGPA in VTU for a full worked example with a typical 3rd semester CSE schedule.
How CGPA Is Calculated
CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is the credit-weighted average of all SGPA values across your completed semesters:
Note: CGPA is not a simple average of all SGPAs. Semesters with more credits have more influence. In VTU, semesters typically range from 18 to 26 credits, so a heavy semester with a low SGPA can drag your CGPA down significantly.
Degree Class Declaration
At the end of 8 semesters, VTU declares your degree class based on your final CGPA:
| Final CGPA | Equivalent Percentage | Class Declared |
|---|---|---|
| 7.50 and above | 75% and above | First Class with Distinction |
| 6.00 – 7.49 | 60% – 74.9% | First Class |
| 5.00 – 5.99 | 50% – 59.9% | Second Class |
| 4.00 – 4.99 | 40% – 49.9% | Pass Class |
| Below 4.00 | Below 40% | Fail (degree not awarded) |
To be eligible for degree award, you must have cleared all subject backlogs. A student with even one outstanding backlog (unconclared F grade) will not have their degree declared by VTU regardless of their overall CGPA.
CGPA to Percentage Conversion
VTU uses a simple multiplier: Percentage = CGPA × 10. A student with a final CGPA of 8.42 has an equivalent percentage of 84.2%. Use our CGPA to Percentage converter for quick calculations.
2018 vs 2021 vs 2022 NEP Scheme — Key Grading Differences
The fundamental grading scale (S to F) is the same across all three schemes. However, there are some notable differences:
- 2018 CBCS: 8-semester structure. CIE typically consists of 3 internal tests + assignments. Labs are 1–2 credits each.
- 2021 CBCS: Introduced Open Electives and minor specialisations. Some subjects have online course components. Credit structure revised for some branches.
- 2022 NEP: Introduces 4+1 structure (4 semesters per year), choice of multiple entry/exit points, and a wider range of electives. Grade calculation formula remains the same but credit allocation varies significantly by branch.
Always verify your credit structure using the official VTU scheme document for your batch year and branch.