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IGNOU passing marks for assignments and term-end exams

To pass any IGNOU course, you need to meet the minimum marks threshold in both assignments and exams, as well as the combined total. This guide explains the passing criteria for every component.

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Handwritten work still sits on the assignment cover. The typed PDF is only the identifier. Photo by Aaron Burden / Unsplash

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Passing marks for assignments

IGNOU Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA) are graded out of 100 marks. To pass the assignment component, you need to score at least 35 marks (35%).

Assignment passing marks
35 out of 100 (35%).
Assignment weightage
30% of the total course grade.
What if you score below 35?
You will fail the assignment component, which means you fail the entire course even if you pass the exam.
Re-submission
If you fail the assignment, you can re-submit for the next session. There is no separate exam for assignments.

Passing marks for term-end exams

The term-end exam (TEE) is graded out of 70 marks. The passing threshold depends partly on your assignment score, because the final grade is calculated as a weighted combination.

Exam paper total marks
70 marks.
Minimum exam marks needed
Typically around 24-28 out of 70, depending on your assignment score.
Combined passing threshold
40 out of 100 (combined assignment + exam weighted total).
Grade D
45-54 out of 100 (just above passing).
Grade E
Below 45 out of 100 (fail).

The exact exam marks needed to pass depend on your assignment score. If you scored 70/100 in assignments (70%), you need only about 10/70 in the exam to reach the 40% combined threshold. If you scored 35/100 in assignments (35%), you need about 28/70 in the exam.

Overall passing criteria

To pass an IGNOU course, both conditions must be met:

  • You must score at least 35 out of 100 in the assignment component.
  • Your combined weighted total (30% assignment + 70% exam) must be at least 40 out of 100.
  • If either condition is not met, you fail the course and must reappear.
Grade A
80-100 — Excellent
Grade B
65-79 — Very Good
Grade C
55-64 — Good
Grade D
45-54 — Satisfactory (pass)
Grade E
Below 45 — Unsatisfactory (fail)

What happens if you fail

Failing an IGNOU course is not the end of the road. You have several options:

  1. Step 1: Appear for the exam again

    You can reappear for the term-end exam in the next session (June or December). You do not need to re-submit assignments if they were already evaluated and you passed that component.

  2. Step 2: Re-submit the assignment if needed

    If you failed the assignment component (scored below 35), you must re-submit the assignment for the next session. Use the assignment submission rules guide to ensure it is accepted.

  3. Step 3: Apply for re-evaluation

    If you believe your exam marks are incorrect, apply for re-evaluation within 30 days of the result. The fee is Rs. 1000 per course.

  4. Step 4: Consider a grade card improvement

    If you pass but want a better grade, you can appear for improvement in the next session. The better of the two scores will be considered.

Grace marks policy

IGNOU has a grace marks policy that can help students who are very close to passing. Here are the key details:

Up to 5 marks
If you are within 5 marks of the pass mark (i.e., scored 35-39 out of 100 combined), grace marks may be awarded to push you to 40.
Up to 2 marks in the exam
If you are within 2 marks of the pass mark in the exam component, grace marks may be awarded.
Final semester students
Grace marks are more likely to be granted for students in their final semester who need just a few marks to complete their degree.
Not guaranteed
Grace marks are awarded at the discretion of the university and are not guaranteed. They are typically used only in borderline cases.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum passing marks for IGNOU assignment?
You need to score at least 35 out of 100 (35%) in your IGNOU Tutor Marked Assignment to pass the assignment component.
What happens if I pass the assignment but fail the exam?
You fail the course and must reappear for the exam in the next session. Your assignment marks will carry forward, so you do not need to re-submit the assignment.
Can I get grace marks if I fail by a small margin?
Yes, IGNOU may award grace marks of up to 5 marks if you are within 5 marks of the passing threshold (40 out of 100). This is at the university's discretion.
How many times can I appear for a failed IGNOU course?
IGNOU allows you to appear for a course multiple times. There is no fixed limit, but each course has a maximum duration (typically 6 years from enrolment) within which you must complete it.
Does failing one course affect my other courses?
No. Each course is evaluated independently. Failing one course does not affect your grades or eligibility in other courses.

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