In the ever-changing world of education, it is essential to understand the grading system, especially in a country as diverse as India. From schools to universities, the grading system is one of the most important factors in assessing academic performance. This article will provide an in-depth look at the Indian grading system. From GPA to CGPA, this article will discuss the conversion methods, grading scale types, and the specific grading system adopted by educational boards and universities.
Understanding the Grading System in India
To understand the grading system of India, you need to know about the GPA & CGPA, which have been explained below:
What is GPA?
GPA, short for ‘Grade Point Average’ is a standardized way of measuring a student’s academic performance. It is the average of the student’s grades in all the subjects. In India, GPA is commonly used in schools and universities to measure students’ overall performance.
To calculate your GPA, use the GPA Calculator according to your institution's specific grading system.
What is CGPA?
The term “CGPA” is derived from the Greek word for “cumulative,” meaning “long,” which roughly translates to “long-lasting” or “long-term.” While GPA refers to a student’s average grade point average over a single academic year, CGPA refers to the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of a student over a semester or a year. CGPA gives a comprehensive view of the student’s academic performance and is widely used in colleges and universities in India.
Conversion of Percentage to GPA
Converting percentage scores to GPA follows specific formulas. These formulas are designed to ensure uniformity and fairness in the evaluation process. Different institutions use slightly different conversion methods. However, the fundamental idea is to convert percentage points to corresponding points on a scale.
Below are the Indian school percentages according to the Indian grading system and their U.S. grade point equivalent score:
The formula for the percentage to GPA 4.0 and the 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 Scales in India
There are different levels of grading in the Indian grading system. Each level has its own characteristics and uses. Some of the most common types of grading systems are:
Letter Grading System: This system assigns letter grades such as A, B, C, etc., to denote different levels of achievement.
Numeric Grading System: Here, numerical values are assigned to grades, typically ranging from 1 to 10 or 1 to 100.
Pass/Fail System: In this simplistic approach, students are categorized as either passing or failing based on predefined criteria.
For those institutions that use a percentage grading system, the marks obtained over a certain period of time are converted into percentage marks and then divided into these four divisions of ranks:
Detailed Grading Scale in India
The CGPA scale and GPA scale mentioned in the above section, which correspond to the grading system in India, are also compared in the table below:
Grading System in India by CBSE
In 2010, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) introduced a grading system for students in Classes X to XII in India. This grading system assigns a grade based on formative and summative assessments that correspond to different marks.
Let’s take a look at how the CBSE grade system compares to the US Scale:
University Grading System in India
Universities in India have grading systems that are designed to meet the academic needs and standards of universities in India. These grading systems are usually in line with international standards while also meeting institutional requirements.
UGC Grade Scale
The UGC (University Grants Commission) of India has introduced a uniform grade scale to provide uniformity and transparency to the evaluation process. The UGC grade scale includes letter grades and grade points along with corresponding percentage ranges, making it easy to communicate academic results:
Here is the commonly used grading system across various universities in India:
Conclusion
In the ever-changing world of education, it is essential to understand the grading system, especially in a country as diverse as India. From schools to universities, the grading system is one of the most important factors in assessing academic performance. This article will provide an in-depth look at the Indian grading system. From GPA to CGPA, this article will discuss the conversion methods, grading scale types, and the specific grading system adopted by educational boards and universities.