Calcutta University Revises Undergraduate Examination Rules
The University of Calcutta has revised its undergraduate examination regulations for the 2026–27 academic session, introducing changes to attendance marks, internal assessment, passing requirements and grade-point calculations. The updated regulations cover three-year and four-year undergraduate programmes offered under the university's Curriculum and Credit Framework 2022.
The amendments were notified on October 8, 2026, through separate notifications covering the relevant undergraduate programmes. The changes are intended to clarify how students are assessed during semester examinations and how academic performance is reflected in their results.
One of the most significant changes is the allocation of up to five marks for attendance in each paper per semester. The university has also updated the distribution of marks for theory and practical examinations and specified minimum passing requirements.
The revised regulations cover Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Business Administration programmes, with the applicable provisions depending on the course structure and semester.
Students should read the notification relevant to their programme and consult their colleges if they need clarification about the revised rules.
Attendance Can Earn Students Up to Five Marks
Under the revised examination framework, attendance will contribute up to five marks to the assessment of each paper per semester. The marks will be awarded according to the percentage of classes attended by a student.
The attendance-based allocation is as follows.
Students with attendance between 90 percent and 100 percent can receive five marks.
Students with attendance of 80 percent to below 90 percent can receive four marks.
Students with attendance of 75 percent to below 80 percent can receive three marks.
Students with attendance of 60 percent to below 75 percent can receive two marks.
Students with attendance below 60 percent will receive no attendance marks under the reported criteria.
The new provision makes classroom attendance a measurable component of continuous assessment. Students who attend classes regularly can earn additional marks, while those with lower attendance may lose the opportunity to receive these marks.
However, attendance marks form only one part of the overall assessment. Students must continue to meet the university's examination and passing requirements to earn credits for their papers.
Students should also check their attendance records with their respective colleges to ensure that the information used for assessment is accurate.
Revised Distribution of Marks for Theory Papers
The university has revised the distribution of marks for undergraduate theory papers. Under the standard 75-mark theory component applicable to the first six semesters, the semester-end examination will carry 50 marks.
Continuous assessment will account for the remaining 25 marks. This component includes 20 marks for internal assessment and five marks for attendance.
The practical or tutorial component will carry 25 marks, where applicable under the course structure.
This arrangement combines end-of-semester examination performance with ongoing assessment and classroom attendance. It means that students will be assessed through more than one component rather than relying entirely on their final written examination.
For theory papers carrying 100 marks in the seventh and eighth semesters, the semester-end examination will account for 75 marks, while continuous assessment will contribute 25 marks.
For practical papers carrying 100 marks, the semester-end examination will account for 60 marks, with the remaining 40 marks allocated to continuous assessment.
The exact structure applicable to a student will depend on the programme, semester and type of paper. Students should refer to the official regulations before calculating their expected marks.
Changes to Internal Assessment
Internal assessment remains an important part of the revised undergraduate examination system. The updated rules clarify how continuous assessment contributes to students' overall marks.
For the relevant 75-mark theory papers, internal assessment carries 20 marks, while attendance contributes another five marks. Together, these components account for 25 marks of continuous assessment.
The modalities of internal assessment will be determined by the concerned Undergraduate Board of Studies, according to the revised regulations. Students should therefore follow instructions issued by their departments and colleges regarding the applicable assessment method.
The university has also provided arrangements for backlog candidates. Their internal assessment will be conducted by the respective college, and attendance marks will be calculated using their attendance records from the semester in which they were enrolled as regular students.
These provisions are relevant for students who are repeating examinations and need to understand how assessment components will be handled under the revised rules.
Backlog candidates should not assume that every provision introduced for newly admitted students applies to them in the same way. The university has specified that the revised grade-point calculation system has a different scope from the changes to marks distribution.
Minimum Passing Requirements
The revised regulations specify minimum marks that students must obtain to earn credits in a paper.
Students must secure at least 30 percent of the total marks in the paper. They must also achieve at least 30 percent separately in the semester-end theory examination and in the practical or tutorial examination, wherever applicable.
Meeting the overall minimum alone may not be sufficient if a student fails to reach the required minimum in a separate examination component.
For example, students taking a paper with separate theory and practical examinations must pay attention to both components rather than focusing only on the combined score.
The requirements are intended to establish a minimum performance standard across the relevant parts of the assessment. Students should consult the official regulations to understand how these conditions apply to their particular course and examination structure.
The revised rules also mean that students should plan their preparation around the requirements of both the semester-end examination and continuous assessment.
New Grade-Point Calculation System
The University of Calcutta has also updated its grade-point calculation system. The revised grading provisions apply to students admitted to Semester One in the 2026–27 academic session and subsequent sessions.
Under the revised 10-point grading framework, marks are mapped to letter grades and grade points according to the prescribed percentage ranges.
Students scoring between 90 percent and 100 percent receive 10 grade points.
Scores from 80 percent to below 90 percent receive nine grade points.
Scores from 70 percent to below 80 percent receive eight grade points.
Scores from 60 percent to below 70 percent receive seven grade points.
Scores from 50 percent to below 60 percent receive six grade points.
Scores from 40 percent to below 50 percent receive five grade points.
Scores from 30 percent to below 40 percent receive four grade points.
Marks below 30 percent are classified as a fail, with zero grade points. Students who are absent receive an absent designation and zero grade points under the stated framework.
The university has also specified how percentages should be calculated and rounded when determining letter grades and grade points. Students should consult the official grading table for the exact classification applicable to their results.
Importantly, the revised grade-point calculation system applies to newly admitted Semester One students from 2026–27 onwards. Backlog candidates should refer to the provisions that apply to their admission and examination category.
Which Courses Are Covered?
The revised regulations cover three-year and four-year undergraduate programmes under the Curriculum and Credit Framework 2022.
The programmes include Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce courses, along with Bachelor of Business Administration under the relevant four-year framework.
The amendments address attendance, internal assessment, marks distribution, passing requirements and grade-point calculations. However, students should not assume that every rule applies identically to every course or semester.
The university has issued separate notifications for three-year and four-year programmes. Checking the correct notification is therefore important for understanding the rules relevant to a particular degree.
How Students Can Check the Official Rules
Students can visit the University of Calcutta's official website and open the examination regulations section for undergraduate courses under the Curriculum and Credit Framework.
The official examination regulations page is available at:
https://www.caluniv.ac.in/ccf-ug/exam-regulation.html
Students should locate the notification relevant to their programme and read the complete document. They should pay particular attention to attendance requirements, internal assessment, passing criteria, grade-point calculations and provisions for backlog examinations.
If a rule is unclear, students should contact their college or the appropriate university department rather than relying exclusively on summaries published online.
The revised regulations make attendance and continuous assessment important elements of the undergraduate examination process. By understanding the new rules early, students can plan their class participation and examination preparation more effectively.
