How it's calculated
The UGC's guidelines on the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) define SGPA as the total credit points you earned in a semester divided by the total credits of the courses you took.
In steps:
- For each course, multiply its credits by the grade point you scored. This gives the course's credit points.
- Add up the credit points of all courses.
- Add up the credits of all courses.
- Divide total credit points by total credits, and round to 2 decimal places.
Courses with more credits carry more weight. An O in a 4-credit course lifts your SGPA more than an O in a 2-credit course.
Estimate only. Official results, marks and eligibility are decided by your university. Verify on the official website.
Worked example (from the UGC guidelines)
| Course | Credits | Grade | Grade point | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | 3 | A | 8 | 24 |
| Course 2 | 4 | B+ | 7 | 28 |
| Course 3 | 3 | B | 6 | 18 |
| Course 4 | 3 | O | 10 | 30 |
| Course 5 | 3 | C | 5 | 15 |
| Course 6 | 4 | B | 6 | 24 |
| Total | 20 | 139 |
SGPA = 139 ÷ 20 = 6.95
UGC 10-point grading scale
These are the letter grades and grade points the UGC recommends. Many universities use this scale; some use their own.
| Letter grade | Meaning | Grade point |
|---|---|---|
| O | Outstanding | 10 |
| A+ | Excellent | 9 |
| A | Very Good | 8 |
| B+ | Good | 7 |
| B | Above Average | 6 |
| C | Average | 5 |
| P | Pass | 4 |
| F | Fail | 0 |
| Ab | Absent | 0 |
The UGC leaves the marks needed for each grade to universities, but recommends that grade B needs at least 50% and grade B+ at least 55% under absolute grading.
Tips for getting the right answer
- Use the credits from your syllabus or marksheet, not the number of classes or hours. Credits are usually printed next to each course code.
- Leave out non-credit courses. Courses graded Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory (for example some extracurricular or audit courses) are not counted.
- Check your university's scale. If your marksheet shows grade points that differ from the UGC table, choose “Grade points” and type the numbers as printed.
- Compare with your marksheet. If your answer is off by 0.01, your university may round differently. The official figure is the one printed by your university.
What to do with your SGPA
Your SGPA shows how you did in one semester. To see your overall standing, combine all your semesters into a CGPA, which weights each semester by its credits. Admissions, scholarships and job applications usually ask for CGPA or for a percentage worked out with your own university's conversion formula, so keep your marksheets handy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for SGPA?
SGPA = sum of (credits × grade point) for every course in the semester, divided by the total credits of those courses. This is the formula in the UGC Guidelines on Adoption of Choice Based Credit System.
What is the difference between SGPA and CGPA?
SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) covers one semester. CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) covers all semesters so far. Under the UGC method, CGPA is each semester’s SGPA weighted by that semester’s credits.
How many decimal places should SGPA have?
The UGC guidelines say SGPA and CGPA are rounded off to 2 decimal places. This calculator shows 2 decimal places.
Do non-credit courses count in SGPA?
No. The UGC guidelines say non-credit courses are marked Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory and are not counted in SGPA or CGPA. If you add a course with 0 credits here, it is ignored.
How does a failed course (grade F) affect SGPA?
On the UGC scale, F and Ab (absent) carry 0 grade points. If your university counts the failed course’s credits in the semester total, it pulls the SGPA down. Your university’s ordinance decides how failed and repeated courses are treated, so check it.
My university uses different grade points. Can I still use this?
Yes. Above the course table, choose “Grade points (0–10)” and type the grade point your marksheet shows for each course. The formula stays the same; only the grade points change.
How do I work out SGPA from my marks?
Marks do not go into the formula directly. Your university first converts the marks in each course into a letter grade, and each letter carries a grade point — on the UGC scale, O is 10, A+ is 9, A is 8, down to P at 4 and F at 0. Take the grade point your marksheet shows for each course, multiply it by that course's credits, add those up and divide by the total credits. The bands that turn marks into a letter are set by your university, not by the UGC, so use the ones printed on your marksheet or in its ordinance.
Can I convert my SGPA into a percentage?
There is no single national formula. Each university sets its own conversion, often printed on the marksheet or in its ordinance. Use your university’s formula, and ask the examination branch for a conversion certificate if an employer needs one.
Sources
- UGC Guidelines on Adoption of Choice Based Credit System, section 6.1, Table 1, University Grants Commission (UGC)