How Projects Are Graded in IITM BS (and Project Improvement)

In IITM BS Data Science, the MAD1, MAD2 and MLP projects are graded mainly through vivas. Your L1 viva score is compared with two cutoffs. Below the lower one, you resubmit. Between the two, you pass with a D or E. Above the higher one, you get an L2 viva for a better grade. Project improvement is allowed only after you finish all 12 diploma courses and still miss the project CGPA needed for the degree level.

What changed in project grading

Earlier, you had to complete every feature asked for in a project, pass the L1 viva, then pass the L2 viva too. Only then did you get a pass grade.

The handbook says data showed that not every student is equally strong in programming, machine learning and business across all 4 projects. So the grading was changed. The new rules apply to the MAD1, MAD2 and MLP projects from the "current term". The handbook does not give an exact start date.

How you reach the L1 viva

• MAD1 and MAD2 projects: your submitted app must pass the app development check. Then the L1 viva is scheduled.
• MLP project: you must cross the cutoff in the Kaggle contest and declare that all your models are complete. Then the L1 viva is scheduled.

The two cutoffs in the L1 viva

Each term, two cutoff marks are set for the L1 viva. Call them X and Y. X is above zero and lower than Y. Your L1 viva is scored using its rubric, and then:

The L2 viva

• If you clear the L2 cutoff, your grade uses both your L1 and L2 scores.
• If you do not clear it, you get one more L2 attempt.
• If you miss it again, you get a D or E based only on your L1 score.

The BDM project

The standard BDM project has you identify a business, collect data, analyse it and share your insights. From January 2024, you may web scrape data instead and analyse it, as long as you share the source. In that case, the highest grade you can get is D.

Why project grades matter

To enter the degree level, your CGPA across the diploma projects must be at least 7.0. For 4 projects, that means at least 28 total grade points. The handbook gives these examples:

If you did the diplomas in the September 2021 or January 2022 terms, some projects were part of theory courses. Only your standalone projects count towards the 7.0 in that case. More in checkpoints to enter the degree level.

Project improvement rules

These come from the handbook's project FAQ (updated 5 January 2026):

• When: only after you complete all 12 diploma level courses, and only if you have not met the CGPA cutoff for the degree level. You cannot improve a project early just because you expect to miss the cutoff.
• How many times: you can take improvement more than once for the same project, as long as you still have terms left to finish the diploma and to enter the degree level.
• How many at once: you can take more than one project for improvement in the same term.
• If it goes wrong: if you get a U or I grade in the improvement attempt, your earlier pass grade is kept.

For general grade improvement rules, see improving your grade.

Common questions

Is a D or E in a project a pass?

Yes. If your L1 score is between the two cutoffs, you get a D or E and that is a pass grade. But low project grades pull down your project CGPA, which must be at least 7.0 for the degree level.

What if my project improvement gives a lower pass grade than before?

The handbook only covers the U and I case, where your earlier pass grade stays. It does not say what happens if you pass the improvement with a lower grade. Ask the support team before you register for it.

Do these rules cover all diploma projects?

The viva system is described for the MAD1, MAD2 and MLP projects. The BDM project has its own rule about web scraped data. The handbook's grading section does not describe the Deep Learning and GenAI project. See Diploma in Data Science and Diploma in Programming.

Do these rules apply to Electronic Systems projects?

This post follows the Data Science handbook. The ES programme has its own handbook, so check that for ES project rules.