IGNOU Passing Marks Out of 100 and 50 (Latest Rules Explained)

IGNOU passing marks out of 100 is one of the most searched questions among students of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). The confusion usually starts when exams are evaluated out of 100 or 50 marks, and students are unsure how theory exams, assignments, and projects are counted separately.

Many students know they need to “pass,” but they are not clear about how IGNOU calculates passing marks or what happens if one component is cleared and the other is not. Understanding the current IGNOU passing rules early can help you avoid unnecessary delays in completing your degree.

Note: Older IGNOU courses used marking schemes like out of 25, 70, or 75 marks, which is why these numbers still appear in searches and older materials. Under the current IGNOU pattern, most theory exams are held out of 50 or 100 marks, and the passing rules below apply to current programmes.

Related Article: What are passing marks in IGNOU out of 100

IGNOU Passing Marks – Quick Overview

Important: Passing theory and assignment separately is mandatory.

IGNOU Passing Marks Out of 100 (Current Pattern)

For most IGNOU courses, theory exams are conducted out of 100 marks.

• Bachelor degree programmes (BA, BAG, BAM, BCom, BSCG, BBA, etc.)
  → Minimum passing marks: 35 out of 100
• Master degree programmes (MA, MCom, MBA, MCA, MAPC, etc.)
  → Minimum passing marks: 40 out of 100

Scoring above these marks in theory is compulsory. However, this alone is not enough to pass the course.

IGNOU Passing Marks Out of 50

In some courses, components such as practicals, internal assessments, or specific theory papers may be evaluated out of 50 marks.

• Bachelor degree programmes (BA, BAG, BAM, BCom, BSCG, BBA, etc.)
  → Minimum passing marks: 17 out of 50
• Master degree programmes (MA, MCom, MBA, MCA, MAPC, etc.)
  → Minimum passing marks: 20 out of 50

Related Post:

• IGNOU December result
• IGNOU June result

IGNOU Passing Marks for Theory and Assignment (30:70 Rule)

IGNOU follows a 30:70 evaluation rule for most courses. This means your final result is calculated using both assignments and the term-end theory exam, but each part must be passed separately.

Here’s how it works in simple terms:

• Assignments carry 30% marks
• Term-End Theory Exam (TEE) carries 70% marks
• You must pass both theory and assignment individually
• Only after passing both, the final marks are calculated using the 30:70 ratio

Let’s take an example.
If a student scores 50 marks in the assignment and 40 marks in the Term-End Examination (TEE), the final result for that course is calculated like this:

Assignment marks (50) × 0.3 (30%) + Theory exam marks (40) × 0.7 (70%)

= 15 marks (from assignment) + 28 marks (from theory exam)
= Total 43 marks

Even though the total comes to 43 marks, the course is considered passed only if both the assignment and theory exam are passed separately. This method serves as an Ignou grade card percentage calculator online to determine the total marks.

What If You Pass Theory but Fail Assignment?

This is a very common situation.

• If you pass theory but fail assignment, the course is considered incomplete
• If the assignment fails, you need to resubmit the IGNOU Solved assignment to secure the minimum passing marks for that course.
• Reappearing in the theory exam is not required if theory is already passed.

Assignments are not optional. Ignoring them can delay your degree.

IGNOU Passing Marks for BA / BAG / BAM (Bachelor of Arts Programmes)

The Bachelor of Arts programme at Indira Gandhi National Open University has gone through naming changes over time. Earlier it was known as BA, later as BAG, and it is now offered as BAM (Bachelor of Arts – Multidisciplinary).

Despite the name change, the passing rules remain the same.

For BA programme, Which is known as BAM IGNOU follows the same separation rule.

Key Rules for BAG:

• Minimum passing marks in theory: 35%
• Minimum passing marks in assignment: 35%
• Both must be passed separately

IGNOU BA / BAG / BAM Grading System

To complete the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, students must score at least 35% in every course, in both theory and assignment.

IGNOU Passing Marks for BCA

The Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) programme at IGNOU follows a higher minimum passing requirement compared to many other bachelor degree courses.

Important points for BCA students:

• Theory exams may be conducted out of 100 marks or 50 marks, depending on the course
• Students must score 40% separately in both theory and assignment
• Passing one component does not compensate for failing the other

IGNOU Passing Marks for B.Ed

The Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) programme at IGNOU follows a grade-based evaluation system, not just percentage marks.

Important points for B.Ed students:

• IGNOU evaluates B.Ed using letter grades
• Students must pass theory and assignment separately
• If either component is failed, the course is considered not cleared

IGNOU Passing Marks for Projects and Dissertation

Projects and dissertations are evaluated separately.

• Minimum passing marks: 50%
• If failed, the project must be revised and resubmitted
• Theory marks do not compensate for project failure

Important Points Students Often Miss

I’ve seen many students assume they’ve passed just because their total marks look fine. In reality, IGNOU checks theory and assignments separately, and missing even one component can delay the result.

Assignments are not optional at all. I’ve personally seen students lose a year simply because assignment marks were short, even after clearing the exam. On the grade card, theory and assignment marks appear separately, and reappearing depends entirely on which part is failed.

Understanding this early saves a lot of stress—and in many cases, an entire academic year.

Conclusion

IGNOU follows a clear but strict evaluation system. For most courses today, passing marks are based on 100-mark theory exams and 50-mark components, with separate passing criteria for assignments and theory. Bachelor programmes usually require 35%, while master programmes require 40% in theory and 50% in assignments or projects.

Students who focus equally on assignments and exams, track their grade cards, and understand the rules early find IGNOU much easier to manage.

If you stay clear about passing marks, you stay in control of your academic progress.

By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can navigate through your IGNOU courses with confidence, knowing what is expected of you to pass and succeed.

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