🗓️ Last Updated: March 2026 | Verified from ignou.ac.in
One of the most confusing things for new IGNOU students is figuring out the pass marks. How many marks do you need in the exam? How many in assignments? And what happens if you pass one but not the other?
If you have these questions, this article has all the answers. IGNOU pass marks work differently from regular universities – and understanding the system properly can save you from a lot of unnecessary stress.
Let’s break it down simply.
Table of Contents
How IGNOU Evaluation Works
Before we talk about pass marks, you need to understand how IGNOU evaluates you. There are two parts to your evaluation in most courses:
Assignments (30% weightage) – These are the Tutor Marked Assignments you submit to your Study Centre. They carry 30% of your total marks.
Term End Examination or TEE (70% weightage) – This is the written exam held in June and December. It carries 70% of your total marks.
Both components are evaluated separately. This is the most important thing to understand. You need to pass both – not just the total combined.
If you score great in assignments but fail the TEE, you fail the course. If you score great in TEE but fail assignments, you still fail the course.
This is different from most universities where only the final exam matters. In IGNOU, both matter independently.
IGNOU Pass Marks for TEE (Term End Examination)
For most IGNOU programmes, the minimum pass marks in the Term End Examination is 35 out of 100.
This means out of the 70 marks that TEE carries in your final evaluation, you need to score in a way that translates to at least 35% in the exam paper itself.
Here is a quick reference for pass marks based on different total marks:
Note – for PG programmes like MBA, the minimum standard to successfully complete a course is getting a C grade overall, which means 50% or above in the combined score. The TEE minimum remains 35% but your overall combined score must reach the C grade threshold.
IGNOU Pass Marks for Assignments
The minimum pass marks for IGNOU assignments is 40 out of 100.
This applies to most programmes. You need to score at least 40% in your assignment to be considered as having passed that component.
If you score below 40 in an assignment, you need to resubmit it. IGNOU allows you to resubmit a failed assignment – but you need to get a fresh set of assignment questions for that course for the current semester.
One important rule – once you pass an assignment, you cannot resubmit it to improve your grade. Resubmission is only allowed if you failed.
IGNOU Grading System Explained
IGNOU uses a letter grade system. Your marks in each course are converted into a letter grade based on your combined performance in assignments and TEE.
Here is the complete grading table as per the IGNOU prospectus:
| Grade | What It Means | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 80% and above |
| B | Very Good | 60% to 79.9% |
| C | Good | 50% to 59.9% |
| D | Satisfactory | 40% to 49.9% |
| E | Unsatisfactory | Below 40% |
For most programmes, getting a D grade or above means you have passed the course overall. But for PG programmes like MBA, you need at least a C grade to pass a course.
This is why it is important to check the passing criteria specific to your programme – not just the general rule.
Pass Marks for UG, PG and MBA Programmes
Different programmes have slightly different passing standards. Here is a clear breakdown:
UG Programmes (BA, B.Com, BCA, BSc etc.)
For undergraduate programmes, the minimum passing marks in TEE is 35 out of 100. You need a D grade or above in the combined score to pass the course.
The overall CGPA or percentage needed to get your degree depends on completing all required courses with passing grades.
PG Programmes (MA, M.Com, MCA etc.)
For postgraduate programmes, the minimum passing marks in TEE is 40 out of 100. The assignment minimum is also 40 out of 100.
You need to pass both components independently and achieve at least a D grade overall to pass the course.
MBA Programme
The MBA programme follows the letter grade system strictly. As per the IGNOU MBA prospectus, a student needs to obtain an overall C grade to successfully complete a course.
The C grade corresponds to 50% to 59.9% in the combined score. So for MBA students, simply clearing the TEE minimum is not enough – your combined assignment and TEE performance must reach 50% or above.
This makes the MBA evaluation slightly stricter than general UG programmes. Keep this in mind when planning your preparation.
What Happens If You Fail One Component
This is where many students get confused. Let us be very clear about each situation.
If you fail TEE but pass assignments:
Your result will show as incomplete or failing for that course. You need to appear in the TEE again in the next exam cycle. Your assignment marks from this cycle are usually carried forward – you do not need to resubmit assignments for the repeat attempt. Check with your Study Centre to confirm this for your specific programme.
If you fail assignments but pass TEE:
Your result will show as incomplete. You need to resubmit the assignment. Once you resubmit and pass the assignment, you do not need to appear in the TEE again – your existing TEE marks are retained.
If you fail both:
You need to resubmit the assignment and appear in the TEE again in the next cycle.
If your result shows “Not Completed“:
This usually means one component is missing – either assignment marks or TEE marks have not been updated. It does not always mean you have failed. Check with your Study Centre first.
If you think there is a mistake in your marks, you can apply for revaluation. Read our detailed guide on IGNOU revaluation to know the process and whether it is worth it for your situation.
How Your Final Grade Is Calculated
Here is a simple example to understand how IGNOU calculates your final grade.
Suppose you are doing a course where:
- Assignment is out of 100 and carries 30% weightage
- TEE is out of 100 and carries 70% weightage
You scored 65 in assignments and 50 in TEE.
Your combined score = (65 x 30/100) + (50 x 70/100) = 19.5 + 35 = 54.5 out of 100
That puts you in the C grade range (50% to 59.9%) – which means you have passed the course.
Now if you had scored only 30 in TEE (below the 35 minimum), it would not matter how well you did in assignments – you would fail the course regardless of the combined total.
This is why both components matter separately.
Tips to Make Sure You Pass
These are simple, practical things that help:
1. Submit assignments on time.
Missing the deadline means you may not be allowed to appear in the TEE at all. The last date is usually 30th April for June TEE and 31st October for December TEE.
2. Do not ignore assignments.
Many students focus only on the exam and treat assignments as a formality. But if you score poorly in assignments, you need a much higher TEE score to compensate in the combined total.
3. Check your assignment marks before the exam.
Log in to your student portal and verify that your assignment marks have been updated. If they are missing, contact your Study Centre immediately – do not wait until after the exam.
4. Aim for at least C grade if you are in MBA.
The D grade threshold that works for UG students is not enough for MBA. Keep this in mind throughout the semester.
5. If your marks feel wrong after results, act quickly.
There is a fixed window for revaluation after results are declared. If you feel your TEE marks are lower than what you deserved, apply within that window. Your marks cannot go down during revaluation.
6. Keep checking your grade card.
Results are updated in phases. Go to https://gradecard.ignou.ac.in/gradecard/ and check regularly after the exam period.
Wrapping Up
IGNOU pass marks are not complicated once you understand the system. The key things to remember:
- TEE minimum is 35 out of 100 for most programmes (40 for some PG programmes)
- Assignment minimum is 40 out of 100
- You must pass both components independently
- MBA students need at least C grade (50% and above) in the combined score to pass a course
- Your final grade is based on the weighted combination of both components
If your result is showing something unexpected, check our articles on IGNOU result withheld and how to check your grade card for the next steps.
Our IGNOU Result Guide covers everything—result checking, fixing withheld or not completed status, revaluation process, pass marks, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the minimum pass marks in IGNOU TEE?
The minimum pass marks in IGNOU Term End Examination is 35 out of 100 for most UG programmes. For PG programmes, it is 40 out of 100. However, passing the TEE alone is not enough – you also need to pass your assignments separately. Both components are evaluated independently.
Q2. What is the minimum marks to pass IGNOU assignment?
You need to score at least 40 out of 100 to pass an IGNOU assignment. If you score below 40, you are required to resubmit the assignment. You will need to get a fresh set of assignment questions for your course for the current semester. Once you pass an assignment, you cannot resubmit it to improve your grade.
Q3. Can I pass IGNOU if I fail in TEE but pass in assignments?
No. IGNOU evaluates both components – assignments and TEE – independently. If you fail in TEE even after passing assignments, you fail the course. You need to appear in the TEE again in the next exam cycle. Your assignment marks are usually carried forward so you do not need to resubmit them.
Q4. What grade do I need to pass IGNOU MBA?
For IGNOU MBA, you need to obtain at least a C grade overall to successfully pass a course. The C grade means 50% to 59.9% in the combined score of assignments and TEE. This is stricter than general UG programmes where a D grade is usually sufficient to pass.
Q5. How is the IGNOU final grade calculated?
Your final grade in IGNOU is calculated by combining your assignment marks (30% weightage) and your TEE marks (70% weightage). For example, if you score 65 in assignments and 50 in TEE, your combined score is (65 x 0.30) + (50 x 0.70) = 54.5 out of 100, which gives you a C grade. You need to pass both components separately regardless of the combined total.
Still confused about your marks or grade? Drop your question in the comments and we will help you figure it out.