How to Calculate Your IITM BS CGPA (With Examples)

Your IITM BS CGPA is an average of grade points, weighted by credits. Multiply each course's grade point by its credits, add these up, and divide by the total credits. S is worth 10, A 9, B 8, C 7, D 6 and E 4. If you took a course more than once, only your best grade counts. To turn CGPA into a percentage, the Senate-approved formula is CGPA x 10.

The method is the same in Data Science (DS) and Electronic Systems (ES).

Grade points for each letter

There is no 5. An E is 2 points below a D. The pass line itself is disputed between official sources, as explained in is the pass mark 40 or 50.

The formula in plain words

GPA for a term = (sum of grade point x credits for each course) divided by (total credits of those courses)

• GPA covers one term. The handbooks say the total credits include courses with U or W grades. The mark transcript section of the ES handbook also includes I grades.
• CGPA covers all the unique courses you have completed so far. If you took a course more than once, the best grade is used.

Example 1: a foundation term

All eight DS foundation courses are 4 credits each.

Total is 120 and credits are 16, so the GPA is 120 divided by 16, which is 7.5. When every course has the same credits, this is the same as a plain average: (10 + 9 + 7 + 4) divided by 4 is 7.5.

Example 2: courses with different credits

At the diploma level, some courses are 3 credits and projects are 2 credits, as listed on the DS academics page.

Total is 80 and credits are 9, so the GPA is 8.89. A plain average of 9, 8 and 10 would give 9.0. The S is on a 2 credit project, so it lifts the GPA less than an S on a 4 credit course would.

Example 3: a term with a fail

Say you take three foundation courses and get A, B and U.

• Term GPA: (36 + 32 + 0) divided by 12 is 5.67. The U counts in the total credits, so it pulls the term GPA down.
• CGPA: the handbook says the CGPA uses unique courses completed so far. A U course is not completed, so by that wording it should not enter your CGPA until you pass it. The handbook does not state this directly, so check your grade card.

When you repeat the course and pass with a C, the C (7 points) is what counts.

Repeats and improvement

• The highest score across your attempts is used for your CGPA. A worse second attempt does not pull it down.
• From the January 2026 term, you can improve a grade only while you are still in that level. The handbook says the CGPA is frozen once you move to a new level.
• Improvement costs twice the regular course fee. See grade improvement rules.

NPTEL credit transfer courses are pass or fail only and stay out of the CGPA. IIT Madras on-campus courses count in it. The apprenticeship and campus courses at other institutes count for credits only.

The CGPA numbers that matter (DS handbook)

All four DS diploma projects are 2 credits, so the project CGPA is a plain average. The handbook's own examples: E, E, S, S gives (4 + 4 + 10 + 10) divided by 4, which is 7.0, so you are eligible. E, E, S, A gives 6.75, so you are not. For the 6.0 rule the handbook says "CGPA at the end of the diploma level" without saying whether foundation grades are included. If you are close to 6.0, ask support. More in degree level entry rules.

CGPA to percentage, and what is not given

A letter from the Dean (Academic Courses) dated 14 June 2024 settles a few common doubts:

• Percentage = CGPA x 10. A CGPA of 7.5 is 75%.
• No class, division or rank is awarded at the end of the programme.
• Only cumulative grade cards are issued. Term-wise grade cards are not issued. (The handbook's term-wise progress card is a separate record that lists every attempt.)
• No backlog certificates are issued.

The letter is on the programme's important documents page. It says no personalised certificates are issued, so use the letter itself when a form asks for the conversion. See academic documents.

Common questions

Does a WA or WQ grade lower my GPA?

Yes, for that term. The handbook's GPA formula includes courses with U or W grades in the total credits, and WA and WQ carry 0 points. Once you repeat and pass the course, the passing grade is the one used for your CGPA.

Do I get any points for an I grade?

No points are shown for I, I_OP or I_BOTH. These grades mean the course is not finished. When you complete it, the final grade is used.

Can I still raise my foundation CGPA after starting the diploma?

No. From the January 2026 term, foundation improvement courses are closed once you start the diploma level, and the handbook says the CGPA is frozen when you move up.