If you are trying to find the passing marks in IGNOU, the first thing to know is that IGNOU does not use one identical passing percentage for every programme and every course. Your required marks can depend on the programme, course code and evaluation component.
Quick answer: 35% is a common minimum in a number of IGNOU courses, while many other courses require 40%. Some specialised courses can have a different requirement. In programmes where assignments and the Term-End Examination (TEE) have separate passing criteria, you must clear both components individually.
This means you should not assume that scoring 35 out of 100 automatically means a pass in every IGNOU course. The safest method is to check the evaluation rules given in the programme guide applicable to your programme and session.
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IGNOU Passing Marks: Quick Reference
The table below is useful for converting the passing percentage into marks. It should be treated as a calculation guide, not as a universal rule for every IGNOU course.
| Passing Requirement | Out of 100 | Out of 50 |
|---|---|---|
| 35% | 35 marks | 18 marks |
| 40% | 40 marks | 20 marks |
| 50% | 50 marks | 25 marks |
Important: Do not decide whether you passed only from this table. First confirm whether your particular course requires 35%, 40%, 50% or another minimum.
Do You Have to Pass IGNOU Assignment and TEE Separately?
In many IGNOU programmes, yes. Assignment marks and Term-End Examination marks are treated as separate evaluation components, and the learner has to satisfy the minimum requirement prescribed for each component.
A high assignment score therefore cannot always compensate for failing the theory examination. Similarly, getting good marks in the TEE does not automatically clear a course if the required assignment component has not been successfully completed.
For example, suppose your course requires you to clear the assignment and TEE separately. If you score well above the required marks in the assignment but remain below the prescribed minimum in the TEE, the course can still remain incomplete until you clear the examination component.
The same principle can apply to courses containing practical examinations, projects, fieldwork or viva-voce. Always look at every compulsory component of the course.
Is 35 Marks a Pass in IGNOU?
35 marks out of 100 can be a passing score when your course has a 35% minimum requirement. It is not, however, a guaranteed passing mark for every IGNOU programme.
This distinction matters because students often search for a single IGNOU passing percentage and then apply it to all their subjects. That can lead to the wrong conclusion, especially in programmes or courses that require 40% or a higher minimum.
Is 40 Marks a Pass in IGNOU?
If your course requires a minimum of 40%, then 40 out of 100 meets that minimum. A number of IGNOU courses use a 40% requirement, including many courses in the current BCA structure.
Again, check the course-specific rule before treating 40 marks as the final answer. The percentage and evaluation pattern can vary even within the same programme.
How Many Marks Are Required to Pass IGNOU Out of 50?
The answer depends on the percentage required by your course:
- For a 35% requirement, you need at least 18 marks out of 50.
- For a 40% requirement, you need at least 20 marks out of 50.
- For a 50% requirement, you need at least 25 marks out of 50.
The reason 35% becomes 18 out of 50 is that 35% of 50 is 17.5. Since examination marks are normally considered in whole numbers, 18 is the practical minimum needed to reach at least 35%.
IGNOU Passing Marks for Bachelor’s Degree Students
Students in IGNOU bachelor’s programmes should avoid relying on one general percentage for all subjects. A 35% minimum is seen in a number of undergraduate courses, but other programmes and course components may prescribe 40% or another requirement.
Your programme may also include different types of assessment. These can include:
- Assignments or continuous assessment
- Term-End Examination
- Practical examination or lab work
- Project work
- Viva-voce
- Fieldwork or other programme-specific assessment
Where separate passing is prescribed, each compulsory component has to be cleared according to the rules of that programme.
IGNOU BCA Passing Marks
BCA students need to be more careful with generic advice such as “35 marks is enough in IGNOU.” The current BCA structure uses different passing requirements for different courses.
For many BCA courses, the minimum requirement is 40% in the continuous evaluation or assignment component and 40% in the Term-End Examination. Certain courses follow a different minimum, so the passing requirement should be checked against the exact course code in the applicable BCA programme guide.
BCA also includes practical and project-based components. These should not be ignored while checking whether a semester or course has been completed.
For BCA students: Check your course code first. Do not use the passing rule of one BCA subject to calculate the result of every other subject.
IGNOU Passing Marks for Master’s Programmes
There is no single passing percentage that should be applied to every IGNOU master’s programme. The evaluation method can differ considerably between programmes.
Some programmes use numerical minimum marks for assignments and the TEE, while others may use a grading structure for determining successful course completion.
If you are enrolled in MA, MCom, MCA, MBA or another postgraduate programme, check the evaluation section of your own programme guide rather than using the passing percentage of a bachelor’s programme.
IGNOU Passing Marks for Diploma and Certificate Programmes
The same caution applies to diploma and certificate courses. Some programmes may prescribe 35%, while others can have different minimum marks or require separate passing in continuous assessment and the Term-End Examination.
For these programmes, the programme guide or learner handbook is especially important because a general IGNOU passing-marks table may not show the complete evaluation requirement.
How IGNOU Assignment Marks Affect Your Result
Assignments are not simply extra marks added at the end in every situation. They form part of IGNOU’s continuous evaluation system, and many programmes require the assignment component to be completed successfully.
If your programme requires separate passing in assignments, you cannot rely on a strong TEE score to cover a failed assignment.
Also make sure you are completing the correct assignment for your course and session. IGNOU publishes assignments according to programme, course and validity period, so using an old or incorrect assignment can create unnecessary problems.
If you are preparing your work now, read our guide on how to write an IGNOU assignment to get good marks.
What Happens If You Fail an IGNOU Assignment?
If your programme requires a minimum passing score in the assignment and you do not reach it, that component has not been cleared. Passing the TEE alone may not be enough to complete the course.
The exact next step depends on your programme and the rules applicable to your registration. You may need to complete the required assignment component again as permitted under IGNOU rules.
Before submitting anything again, verify the applicable assignment and submission instructions. You can also check our detailed guide on how to submit IGNOU assignments.
What Happens If You Fail the IGNOU Term-End Examination?
If you fail to obtain the minimum marks prescribed for the Term-End Examination, you generally need to appear for that course again in a subsequent TEE, provided you remain within the permitted programme and registration period.
IGNOU normally conducts Term-End Examinations in June and December. You do not normally need to repeat a component that has already been successfully completed unless the rules of your programme require otherwise.
For example, if your valid assignment marks have already been recorded and you only need to clear the TEE, the main issue is usually the failed examination component. Always check the programme rules before taking action because exceptions can exist.
Why Does the IGNOU Grade Card Show “Not Completed”?
Not Completed usually means that at least one required component of the course has not yet been successfully completed or updated.
Depending on the course, check the grade card for:
- Assignment marks
- Term-End Theory marks
- Practical or lab marks
- Project marks
- Viva marks
- Any other compulsory evaluation component
For example, your theory marks may be above the required minimum while the course still shows as Not Completed because the assignment, practical or project component is missing or has not been cleared.
Do not calculate your result only from the theory column. Check the entire row for that course code.
IGNOU Assignment Weightage and TEE Weightage
Assignment and TEE marks can both contribute to the final course result, but that does not necessarily mean you can fail one component and make up the difference through the other.
Where separate passing criteria apply, you first need to satisfy the minimum requirement in each compulsory component. The applicable weightage is then used for calculating the course result according to the programme’s evaluation scheme.
This is one of the most important points to understand when checking IGNOU results: overall marks and minimum component-wise passing marks are not always the same thing.
The exact assignment and TEE weightage can vary by programme and course, so do not assume that one fixed ratio applies across IGNOU. Check the evaluation scheme in your applicable programme guide. If you want to calculate your percentage from recorded marks, use our IGNOU Percentage Calculator.
How to Check the Exact Passing Marks for Your IGNOU Course
If you want the most reliable answer for a particular subject, use the course code instead of searching only by programme name.
- Note the exact programme code shown on your IGNOU records.
- Write down the course code you want to check.
- Open the programme guide or learner handbook applicable to your programme and session.
- Find the evaluation, assessment or examination section.
- Check the minimum required marks for the assignment and TEE separately.
- If the course has a practical, project or viva, check its passing requirement as well.
- Compare these requirements with every component shown on your grade card.
This method is more reliable than assuming that a percentage quoted for another IGNOU programme also applies to yours.
Common IGNOU Passing Marks Questions
What are the passing marks in IGNOU out of 100?
There is no single passing mark for every IGNOU course. If your course requires 35%, you need 35 out of 100. If it requires 40%, you need 40 out of 100. Some courses have another minimum.
Is 35 out of 100 passing in IGNOU?
Yes, when the applicable course requires a minimum of 35%. It is not a universal IGNOU passing score, so check your programme and course criteria first.
Is 18 out of 50 passing in IGNOU?
18 out of 50 is sufficient for a course with a 35% minimum because 18 marks equal 36%. If the course requires 40%, however, you would need at least 20 out of 50.
Is 20 out of 50 passing in IGNOU?
Yes, 20 out of 50 equals 40%, so it meets a 40% minimum requirement.
Do I need to pass IGNOU assignment and theory separately?
Many IGNOU programmes require separate successful completion of the assignment or continuous-assessment component and the Term-End Examination. Check your programme guide for the exact requirement.
Can high assignment marks compensate for low TEE marks?
Not where separate passing criteria apply. If your TEE score is below the required minimum, a high assignment score does not normally turn that failed component into a pass.
Can high TEE marks compensate for a failed assignment?
Again, not when the programme requires you to pass the assignment separately. Both components must satisfy their respective minimum requirements.
What are the IGNOU BCA passing marks?
Many courses in the current BCA structure use a 40% minimum for assignments and TEE, while some courses have different passing criteria. BCA students should check the exact course code in the current programme guide rather than applying one percentage to every subject.
Why is my course showing Not Completed even after passing the exam?
A required assignment, practical, project, viva or another component may still be missing, below the prescribed minimum or awaiting an update. Check every column for that course on your grade card.
Where should I check my official IGNOU passing criteria?
Check the programme guide or learner handbook applicable to your programme and session. The evaluation section normally explains the required marks, component weightage and any separate passing conditions.
Before You Calculate Your Result
The biggest mistake students make is treating one percentage as the passing rule for the whole university. Start with your programme code, course code and evaluation components. Once you know the percentage prescribed for that particular course, converting it into marks out of 100 or 50 is simple.
If you are still working on your assignments, you may also find our IGNOU assignment front page guide useful before final submission.
21 thoughts on “Passing Marks in IGNOU Exams and Assignments 2026”
I got D grade in theory & C grade in assignment it’s showing not completed even thought in one subhead I got D grade & B grade in assignment it’s showing completed how so?