VTU Grading System & Passing Marks Explained

The Complexity of VTU

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) is one of the largest engineering universities in India. It is also famous for having one of the most confusing, frequently updated grading systems in the country.

Between the CBCS (Choice Based Credit System) updates, the 2018 scheme, the 2021 scheme, and the 2022 scheme, students are constantly confused about exactly what marks they need just to pass a subject.

Here is the definitive breakdown of the VTU Grading System.

1. The Minimum Passing Marks

To pass a subject in VTU, you must meet the minimum requirements in both the Internal Assessment (CIE) and the External University Exam (SEE).

For the most recent schemes (2021/2022 onwards), the rule is the "40% Rule":

Internal Marks (CIE): You must score a minimum of 20 out of 50 marks (40%). If you score below 20, you get an 'F' and cannot write the final exam.

External Exam (SEE): You must score a minimum of 20 out of 50 marks (40%) on the final paper. Wait—the final paper is usually for 100 marks. If it's a 100-mark paper, you must score a minimum of 35 out of 100 to pass the SEE threshold.

Total Combined: Your CIE + SEE total must be at least 40 out of 100 (or 40%).

2. The VTU Grading Scale

If you pass the subject, VTU awards a letter grade and a Grade Point (out of 10) based on your total percentage (CIE + SEE).

O (Outstanding): 90 to 100 marks = 10 Grade Points

A+ (Excellent): 80 to 89 marks = 9 Grade Points

A (Very Good): 70 to 79 marks = 8 Grade Points

B+ (Good): 60 to 69 marks = 7 Grade Points

B (Above Average): 55 to 59 marks = 6 Grade Points

C (Average): 50 to 54 marks = 5 Grade Points

P (Pass): 40 to 49 marks = 4 Grade Points

F (Fail): 0 to 39 marks = 0 Grade Points

3. How SGPA and CGPA are Calculated

Your SGPA is calculated by multiplying your Grade Points by the Credits of the subject, adding them all up, and dividing by the total credits of the semester.

Because calculating this manually with VTU's complex credit structures (labs vs theory) is tedious, we built the official VTU CGPA Calculator. You just select your grades, and the engine handles all the VTU-specific math.

4. The VTU Percentage Conversion

If you are sitting for campus placements, companies will ask for your percentage.

VTU explicitly uses the AICTE formula: Percentage = (CGPA - 0.75) × 10

Do not just multiply your CGPA by 10. If you have an 8.0 CGPA, your official VTU percentage is 72.5%, not 80%.