RRY UNI

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TY

PO

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IC

MI

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A
VERS L

PONDICHERRY
UNIVERSITY

CHOICE BASED CREDIT SYSTEM

REGULATIONS

expansion Excellence equity

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S

CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Preamble
2. Scope and Coverage
3. Credits and Courses
4. Registration
5. Introduction of Courses
6. Evaluation
7. Programme Committee
8. School Board
9. Grading and Grade card
10. Power to modify and remove difficulties

1
3
3
4
6
7
9
12
14
14
18

REGULATIONS

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S

1. PREAMBLE
The Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) enables a student to obtain a degree by
accumulating required number of credits prescribed for that degree. The number
of credits earned by the student reflects the knowledge or skill acquired him / her.
Each course is assigned with a fixed number of credits based on the contents to
be learned. The student also has choice in selecting courses out of those offered by
various departments. The grade points earned for each course reflects the students
proficiency in that course.
The CBCS enables the students to earn credits across departments and provides
flexibility in duration to complete a Program of study. The CBCS facilitates transfer
of credits earned in different Departments/Centers of other recognized / accredited
universities or institutions of higher education in India and abroad. In this System
student representatives take part in designing the curriculum for a program of
Study and facilitate in running the academic programs.

2. SCOPE AND COVERAGE

1.


2.

3.
4.

The CBCS is applicable to all full-time Post Graduate, Five year integrated
Post Graduate and M. Phil. Programs of study approved by the Academic
Council.
It is also applicable to any other Program of study approved by the Academic
Council that has been prescribed to follow the CBCS pattern.
The learning and evaluation is on Semester pattern.
Eligibility, qualifications and admission procedure for each Program of
study is as approved by the Academic Council and specified in
Information Brochure of the University.

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
3. CREDITS AND COURSES
3.1. C ontact
1.

2.

3.


4.


5.

One credit shall mean one period of teaching for theory or two periods for
laboratory / practical course per week in a semester (of 16 weeks).
One teaching period shall be for 60 minutes duration including 10 minutes
for discussion/ movement.
One credit shall be assigned to one week of field training program where
the students spend the entire duration in the field along with the faculty
member(s).
Up to two credit shall be assigned to one month of Internship undergone in
a Company/ Organization/Institutions approved by the Faculty
Advisor / Head of the Department.
One Tutorial hour per week shall be conducted in addition to regular contact
hours for both Hard core and Soft core theory Courses.

3.2.N umber
1.


2.


3.




4.

hours

of credits

The core credits for any M. A. / M. Sc./ MBA Programme (inclusive of

Hard-core, Soft-core and Project work) shall be in the range specified in
Table 1 given below.
A candidate who has successfully completed all the Hard Core courses and a
Project work, if any, and accumulated not less than minimum number of
Credits prescribed shall be eligible to receive the Degree.
The normal duration of any PG Programme is 4 semesters. However students
have the flexibility to complete the PG Program of Study within minimum
of 3 semesters and maximum of 8 semesters. Integrated 5 year PG program
students shall be permitted to graduate in 8 semesters and not more than 16
semesters.
The minimum credits required for the award of degree in various PG
Programs are given in the Table 1.

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
T able 1.

S.No

2
3
4
5
6
7

Program

Hard-core Soft-core
Courses
Courses
credits
credits

M.A. /M.Sc./ All M.Tech. except

M.Tech. (Nano Science &
Technology) and M.Tech.
48 to 60
(Electronics)/ Any other 2 year
P.G. Programme not mentioned
below
M.Com., M.A. Economics
68 to 78
All M. B. A programmes /
M.Tech. (Nano Science &
72 to 86
Technology)
M.C.A.
72 to 90
5 year Integrated P.G.
148 to 162
M.Phil. Programme
30
M.Tech. (Electronics)
70

Total
(Minimum
credits
required for
award of the
degree)

12 to 24

72

12 to 22

90

14 to 28

100

18 to 36
30 to 44
6
3

108
192
36
73

3.3. C ourses
1.

2.


3.

The courses offered under a Program of Study are designated as Hard Core
and Soft Core.
A course designated as Hard Core for a particular Program of Study must
invariably be completed by the student to receive the degree in that program.
The Hard Core Course cannot be substituted by any other course.
A student needs to earn certain number of minimum credits by successfully
completing Soft-core courses to receive the degree (Please see Table I).

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
4.






5.

6.

The soft-core courses are to be chosen from (a) a list of courses marked as
Soft-core courses for a particular Program of Study and (b) any course
offered by a Centre/Department/School under CBCS as Soft-core Course
with the advice of his/her Faculty Advisor. In the event of failure in
a Soft-core course the student can substitute the soft core by an equivalent
course offered by the parent or other department within or outside
the School.
The courses offered for Integrated 5 year PG and other PG programmes carry
2 or 3 or 4 credits. Normally no theory course shall have more than 4 credits.
PG programs wherein Project Work is included may carry 4 or 5 credits.
Up to 12 credits can be assigned if an entire semester is assigned for Project
work. The Project includes submission of a written Project Report and a
Viva-voce examination (one credit is assigned for the Viva-voce).

4. REGISTRATION
1.



2.

3.


4.


5.


6)

Each student, on admission shall be assigned to a Faculty Advisor who shall

advise her/him about the academic programs and counsel on the choice
of courses consideration the academic background and students career
objectives.
With the advice and consent of the Faculty Advisor the student shall register
for a set of courses he/she plans to take up for the Semester.
The student has to seek the consent of each teacher offering the courses
in a Registration Card (Annexure I). The student should meet the criteria for
prerequisites to become eligible to register for that course.
No student shall be permitted to register for courses exceeding 30 credits
per semester. However, registration for Repeat courses is allowed in excess of
this limit.
If a student finds that he/she has registered for more courses than possible to
study in a semester, he/she can drop one or more of courses before the end of
3rd week of the semester.
A student, to retain his status, should register for at least a minimum of 12
credits in a semester.

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
7. Students shall have to register for the courses for the semester within first
week of a semester.
8. The maximum number of students to be registered in each course shall
depend upon the physical facilities available.
9. The information on list of all the courses offered in every department
specifying the credits, the prerequisites, a brief description of syllabus or list
of topics, the instructor who is offering the course and the time slot may be
made available in the University website.
10. In any department preference for registration shall be given to those students
of that department for whom the course is a Hard core course.
11. The registration for the soft core course shall be on first come first served
basis, provided the student fulfills prerequisites for that course, if any.
The number of students to be registered shall be based on the class room and
laboratory capacity. Every effort shall be made by the Department/Centre
to accommodate as many students as possible.
12. Normally, every Lecture-based course shall, normally be given by one teacher.
13. No course shall be offered unless a minimum of 3 students are registered.

5. INTRODUCTION OF COURSES

5.1 C ourse S tructure

1.


2.

and

S yllabus

The Course Structure shall prescribe the minimum eligibility, Semester wise
list of courses, total credits for each Program of Study, including, Theory,
Practical, Field-work, Project work and Viva- voce examinations, etc.
Detailed syllabus for all courses offered by the Department shall be
prepared in a specific number of units along with full details of Text Books,
Reference Books, Web based resources, Reference Reprints of papers,
e-Books, Published Reports and the Monographs, etc. relevant to the course
and printed made available to teachers and students.

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
3.







4.


5.



6.

Each course shall have a title and course code. The course code shall consist
of four alphabets representing the Department / Centre, and three
numerals. The first numeral stands for level of the course, the second
numerals stands for odd or even semester and third the course number and
this can be 2, 4, 6 or 8. For example, EASC (423) stands for a course offered
by the Department of Earth Sciences, at 4th level, i.e., for students
who have already completed three years of tertiary education, and offered in
the even semester.
The Course Structure and Syllabus of each PG programme shall be approved
and recommended by the Program Committee to Board of Studies (BOS)
and School Board and then the Academic Council.
New hard-core or soft-core course proposed by a Faculty member is to
be first considered and approved in the Programme Committee of the
Department and BOS and then to be placed before the School Board and
Academic Council for approval.
The syllabi of courses need to be revised to keep in tune with recent
developments in knowledge and inventions. Minor revision of the already
approved Syllabus of any course with proper justification shall be
considered and recommended by the Program Committee through the
Chairperson of School Board to the Academic Council. However, the
Chairperson of the Academic Council may approve the revisions to facilitate
implementation of the revised syllabi in a timely manner.

5.2.1 H ard
1.




2.

3.

core course

A Hard core subject may be a Theory, Practical, Field based or Project Work
based subject which is a compulsory component in the Course Structure.
Based on the quantum of time required for teaching learning, the number
of credits for each subject are to be decided within the prescribed limit
(please see 3.3 (5 & 6)).
Registration for Hard Core courses are also open to students of other
departments provided they meet the prerequisites.
A Course may be treated as a Hard core or Soft Core Course for students of
other department as per the requirement of Program of Study.

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
5.2.2 S oft
1.

2.

3.

core course

A Soft core course may be a Theory, Practical, Field based or Project Work,
which is optional for the students to register.
Students can exercise their choice among a set of Soft core courses from the
list of Soft core courses specified for each Programme of study.
Students have a choice to register for Soft Core Courses offered by any
Department under the advice of the Faculty Advisor.

5.3 T eachers
1.
2.



3.

work load

Every faculty member shall be assigned workload as per the UGC norms.
In addition to regular handling of classes, teachers are required to participate
in preparation of detailed Syllabus, designing a detailed Teaching plan,
Evaluation of answer papers of Internal and External examination,
preparation of grades, etc.
Teachers shall undertake to associate with organizing practical Lab sessions,
Field visits, Industrial Tours and guide Project Work.

6. EVALUATION
6.1 B reakup
1.

2.


3.

of I nternal /

E xternal E nd S emester E xams :

All subjects in a PG programme shall carry an Internal Assessment

component to the extent of 40 marks and End Semester for 60 marks.
In case of Laboratory /Field/Project work based subjects, appropriate
distribution of marks for Practical Record/ Project Report, Practical end-
Semester exam, Viva, if any by the respective Programme Committee.
A student shall not be permitted to repeat any course only for the purpose of
improving the grade.

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
6.2. B reak

up of I nternal

A ssessment M arks

Each teacher shall organize a continuous assessment of each of the courses assigned
to him/her. The internal assessment marks shall be given as per the following
breakup:
Internal Assessment Tests / Term Papers / Quizzes (two) 2 x 15 = 30

Seminars/ Assignments/ Case Demos/ Presentations/
Write ups/ Viva, etc.

1x 10 = 10
Internal Total

40

6.3. I nternal A ssessments

A schedule of Internal Assessment tests shall be prepared at the very beginning of
the semester. Internal Assessment marks shall be displayed within a week from the
date of conduct of examination and all corrected answer papers shall be given back
to students with comments, if any. It is mandatory for all students to participate
in all the Internal Assessment tests and in various course-work related activities for
award of the above marks.

6.4. E nd 1.


2.

3.



4.

semester examinations

An End Semester examination shall be conducted for all courses offered in

the department. The duration of the end semester examination shall be for 3
hours.
A schedule of End Semester examinations be prepared and displayed by the
department at least one- month ahead of the conduct of the examination.
No student who has less than 70% attendance in any course shall be
permitted to attend the end-semester examination and he shall be given
grade of FA-failure due to lack of attendance. He shall be asked to repeat
that course the next time it is offered.
Each teacher shall prepare a model question paper, a Panel of External
examiners and submit the same to the Head of the Department by

10

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S

6th week of the Semester. The question paper should cover all the units of
syllabus. Head of the Department shall coordinate the question paper setting
work / conduct of exams/ consolidation of marks and Grades and
provisionally publish the Results with the approval of Dean of the School.

6.5. C onduct
1.

2.




3.

4.
5.



6.


7.


8.

of

E nd -S emester E xams

and

E valuation

End-Semester Examination shall be conducted by the Department by

inviting Question Papers from the External Examiners.
Question Papers may be moderated for the coverage of syllabus, pattern
of questions by an End-Semester Examination Committee chaired by
Head of the Department one day before the commencement of end-
semester Examinations. All Question Papers shall be neatly printed
and sealed in the presence of HOD.
An alternative Question paper should also be made available for any
contingency.
Internal Examiner shall prepare a detailed scheme of valuation.
The answers papers of end-semester examination should be evaluated by the
Internal Examiner immediately after the completion of exam and the Award
sheet should be submitted to HOD in a sealed cover before the same papers
are kept for second valuation by External Examiner.
In case of difference of more than 15 % of marks the answers paper shall
be revalued by the Examination Committee and marks awarded by this
committee shall be taken as final.
HOD shall invite 3-9 External Examiners to evaluate all the end-semester
answer scripts on a prescribed date(s). Practical Laboratory exams are to be
conducted involving External Examiners.
Programme Committee shall consolidate the marks awarded by Internal and
External Examiners and award grades.

6.6. C onsolidation

of

M arks

Programme Committee consisting of Vice-Chancellors nominee and External

Examiners shall take up the consolidation of Internal Assessment marks and End-

11

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
Semester marks (average of both Internal and External Evaluation) and prepare a
consolidated Marks Statement.
In order to declare the pass, a Student should get
a) A minimum of 40% marks in end-semester exam, and
b) A minimum of 50% marks in aggregate when Internal Assessment and End-
Semester marks are added.

6.7. S upplementary E xam

a)


b)

A failed student who meets the attendance requirement and has a minimum
of 40% in internal assessment marks may be permitted to register for the
next end-semester examination in the following semester itself.
Students who have failed due to insufficient attendance and / or less than
40% in Internal Assessment marks should repeat the course as and when it is
offered.

7. PROGRAMME COMMITTEE
Every academic department of the University shall have a Programme Committee
for implementing and monitoring the CBCS. The Programme Committee shall
consist of a nominee of the Vice Chancellor who will be from a related discipline/
department, all teachers offering the Hard and Soft core-courses for the Programmes
of study and one student representative per class. The Head of the Department
shall be the ex-officio Chairman.

7.1. A ctivities

of the

P rogramme C ommittee

Duties and Responsibilities
1. It shall be the duty and responsibility of Programme Committee to
implement the CBCS guidelines in all Programmes of Study prescribed in
a Department. It reviews and monitors the implementation of BOS
approved Course structure, Coverage of syllabus, Time Table, Distribution

12

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S


2.


3.


4.


5.

of workload of faculty, Conduct of classes, Internal Assessments and End-

semester examinations.
Programme Committee recommends a Panels of External Experts to Dean
of the School for Question paper setting, Evaluation of answer scripts,
project reports and conduct of Viva Voce examinations.
Programme Committee shall review and recommend for infrastructure
requirements for smooth conduct of teaching-learning activities and to
carry out research in every Department.
Programme Committee provides an opportunity for individual teachers
to initiate steps to float new courses, new methods of teaching, ICT
implementation, etc.
Programme Committee may give recommendations on the Non-plan Budget
requirements for each Programme of Study under different heads like,
a) Teaching aids, b) Invited Lecture, c) Field studies, d) Software
subscriptions and renewals, e) Study Tour/ Industrial Visits, etc.

7.2. R ights
The Committee shall have the right to make suggestions to individual teachers on
teaching methodology and assessment procedure to be followed in his course. It
shall be the duty of the Committee to bring to the knowledge of the Dean and
Vice Chancellor any difficulty encountered in the conduct of the classes or any
other pertinent matters.

7.3. F requency

of

M eetings

The Committee shall meet at least thrice in every semester. At first, in the beginning
of the semester to chalk out Time Table, list of courses to offer, etc. Second time, at
middle of the Semester to review the progress of academic activities. Last meeting
of the Programme Committee, with external examiners if available, shall finalize
and recommend the grades for all courses of that semester. In this meeting student
members shall not take part.

13

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
8. SCHOOL BOARD

1.


2.

3.


4.

The Dean, who is Chairperson of the respective School Board is the overall
in-charge of implementing CBCS in all Programmes of study offered in
different departments of the School.
Dean, being the Chairman of the School Board shall suggest certain uniform
academic practices across all the departments in each School.
Dean shall approve the Panel of external examiners for paper setting and
evaluation, based on the recommendations of the Programme Committee of
each department. Dean also gives his approval for Grades and Results.
Dean of the respective School shall periodically review the Academic
activities of Departments, resolve any issues in conduct of academic
programs under CBCS regulations.

9. GRADING AND GRADE CARD

The Programme Committee shall prepare two copies of the results, one with
marks to be sent to the University Office and another for the Department. Grades
shall be awarded as indicated below (Section 9.1) in a meeting of the Programme
Committee to be held at the earliest, not later than 15 days after the last day of
semester examinations.
The department shall display the provisional grades within 15 days. If a student
wishes to look at the evaluated answer scripts he/ she can approach the concerned
teacher within a week of declaration of the provisional results.

9.1. L etter G rades

Performances of students in each paper are expressed in terms of marks as well
as in Letter Grades. In case of fractions the marks shall be rounded off to nearest
integer. The class interval for the purpose of awarding the grades can be arrived at
by dividing the difference between the highest mark secured and the minimum
pass mark by 6 as there are six passing grades. The formula is given below:

14

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S

K = (X-50)/6

Where, K = class interval, X= the highest mark in the subject.

The grades may be awarded as given in the following table II.

T able II.
Range of Marks in %

Letter Grade

X to (X-K)+1
(X-K) to (X-2K)+1
(X-2K) to (X-3K)+1
(X-3K) to (X-4K)+1
(X-4K) to (X-5K)+1
(X-5K) to 50
Below 50
Failure due to lack of attendance

A+
A
AB+
B
C
F
FA

Points for Calculation of

GPA/ CGPA
10
9
8
7
6
5
0
0

K should not be rounded off to less than two decimal places. The numbers given
in Range of Marks column, (X-K), (X-2K), (X-3K), etc., can be rounded off to
the nearest whole number.
In courses where the number of students who have secured 50 marks and above
is less than 10 then grading may be given based on the Table III.

T able III.
Range of Marks in %

Letter Grade

81-100
71-80
66-70
61-65
56-60
50-55
Below 50

A+
A
AB+
B
C
F

Points for Calculation of

GPA/ CGPA
10
9
8
7
6
5
0

15

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
The GPA and CGPA will be calculated as weighted average of points secured by the
student in all the papers registered by him /her. The weights are the number of credits
for each paper. For example, a student getting in A grade in 4 credit course, A- grade
in 2 credit course, A+ grade in a 3 credit course and F grade in a 3 credit course will
have a GPA as (9x4 + 8x2 +10x3 + 0x3)/ (4+2+3+3)=(36+16+30+0)/12=82/12 =
6.83 out of 10.0; GPA = 6.83. The CGPA shall also be calculated in similar lines
taking all subjects taken by the students in all semesters.
Students with a CGPA of 9.0 and above and did not fail in any of the courses
taken by him/ her shall be awarded Distinction.
A CGPA of 6.0 and above shall be placed in First class.
Student who has secured less than 50% marks in any paper gets F Grade and he
is treated as failed in that paper.

MODEL GRADE SHEET

Example 1 Average performance
Marks
Grade
78
A+
72
A
70
A
68
A67
A64
A64
A62
B+
62
B+
62
B+
62
B+
61
B+
61
B+

16

Example 2 Good performance

Marks
Grade
86
A+
80
A
80
A
80
A
79
A
78
A
77
A
76
A
76
A
76
A
75
A
74
A74
A-

Example 3 Skipping of grade

Marks
Grade
85
A+
83
A+
80
A+
80
A+
71
A71
A70
A70
A69
A68
A67
B+
67
B+
65
B+

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
61
B+
61
B+
61
B+
58
B
58
B
58
B
57
B
56
B
55
B
55
B
55
B
55
B
54
C
54
C
53
C
53
C
53
C
53
C
53
C
51
C
50
C
50
C
50
C
50
C
50
C
50
C
50
C
50
C
50
C
50
C
20
F
k = 4.666667

73
73
71
70
69
68
68
67
67
67
66
66
66
66
65
64
64
64
63
62
62
60
60
60
60
60
59
58
58
57
57

k=6

AAAAAB+
B+
B+
B+
B+
B+
B+
B+
B+
B+
B+
B+
B+
B+
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B

64
64
62
61
60
59
59
59
59
59
58
57
57
56
54
53
53
53
53
52
50
46
45

B+
B+
B+
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
F
F

k = 5.833333

17

CBCS R E G U L A T I O N S
Marks

Grade

Marks

Grade

Marks

Grade

78 -74
73 - 69
68 - 64
63 - 59
58 - 55
54 - 50
< 50

A+
A
AB+
B
C
F

86 - 81
80 - 75
74 - 69
68 - 63
62 - 57
56 - 50
< 50

A+
A
AB+
B
C
F

85 - 80
79 - 74
73 - 68
67 - 62
61 - 56
55 - 50
< 50

A+
A
AB+
B
C
F

9.2. G rade C ard

1. The University Office shall issue a Grade card for the students, containing
the marks and grades obtained by the student in the previous semester
and Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point
Average (CGPA).
2.

The grade card shall list:

a. The title of the courses taken by the student.
b. The credits associated with the course.
c. The marks and grade secured by the student.
d. The total credits earned by the student in that semester
e. The GPA of the student.
f. The total credits earned by the students till that semester.
g. The CPGA of the student.

10. POWER TO MODIFY AND REMOVE

DIFFICULTIES
1.


2.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing, the Chairman,

Academic Council shall have the power to issue directions or orders to
remove any difficulty.
Nothing in the foregoing limits the power of the Academic Council to
amend, modify or repeal any or all of the above.

18