Are you a student of Osmania University (OU) pursuing BA, B.Sc, or B.Com? One of the most common questions students ask is: “What are the pass marks for degree semester OU?”
Many students mistakenly believe that simply scoring 40 marks in total is enough to pass. However, this is incorrect and often leads to unexpected failures. The Osmania University Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) has strict rules regarding the split between External and Internal marks.
In this detailed guide, we explain the actual pass marks of degree OU 4th sem (and all other semesters), the grading system, and the promotion rules, based on the official University Exam (U.E.) guidelines.
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The “Double Condition” Rule: How to Pass
According to the official Osmania University rules found on the backside of the 2024 Marks Memo, you cannot pass just by getting high internal marks. To clear a subject, you must satisfy two conditions simultaneously:
- Condition A (University Exam): You must score at least 40% in the External Semester Examination.
- Condition B (Total): You must score at least 40% in the Total Marks (External Exam + Internal Assessment combined).
Breakdown: OU Degree Pass Marks Out of 80
Most theory papers in Osmania University are conducted for 100 Marks total, split into 80 Marks (External) and 20 Marks (Internal).
Here is the exact math you need to know:
- Minimum Marks Required in External (Theory): 32 Marks (Out of 80).
- Minimum Marks Required in Total: 40 Marks (Out of 100).
Important: Even if you have full marks in internals (20/20), you MUST secure at least 32 marks in the external exam. If you get less than 32 in the external paper, you will be marked as FAIL (F), regardless of your total score.
Real-Life Examples: Pass vs. Fail Scenarios
To clear your doubts, we have created a table with real examples (like 32+8, 20+20, etc.) to show you exactly how the result is calculated.
Table: Pass/Fail Calculation for 80 Marks Paper
| Example Case | External Marks (Out of 80) | Internal Marks (Out of 20) | Total Marks (Out of 100) | Final Result | Reason |
| Example 1 | 32 | 08 | 40 | PASS | You met the External cutoff (32) and Total cutoff (40). |
| Example 2 | 20 | 20 | 40 | FAIL | Failed. Your Total is 40, but External is below 32. |
| Example 3 | 30 | 10 | 40 | FAIL | Failed. External is 30 (You needed 2 more marks). |
| Example 4 | 31 | 18 | 49 | FAIL | Failed. High internals cannot save you if External is < 32. |
| Example 5 | 40 | 00 | 40 | PASS | Passed. Even with 0 internals, you cleared both conditions. |
| Example 6 | 28 | 15 | 43 | FAIL | Failed. Total is above 40, but External is below 32. |
As you can see from Example 2, simply getting “ou degree pass marks out of 100” (40 marks) is not enough if the external component is weak.
Osmania University Grading System (CBCS)
Once you secure the pass marks, your marks are converted into Letter Grades and Grade Points. Your Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) depends on these points.
Data Source: Official OU Student Memo Backside
| Range of Marks (%) | Letter Grade | Grade Point | Performance |
| 90 to 100 | O | 10 | Outstanding |
| 75 to < 90 | A+ | 9 | Excellent |
| 60 to < 75 | A | 8 | Very Good |
| 55 to < 60 | B+ | 7 | Good |
| 50 to < 55 | B | 6 | Above Average |
| 45 to < 50 | C | 5 | Average |
| 40 to < 45 | D | 4 | Pass |
| Below 40 | F (RA) | 0 | Fail (Re-Appear) |
| Absent | Ab | 0 | Absent |
SGPA Calculation Explained (Simple Method)
You don’t need complicated formulas to check your SGPA. Here is the logic used by OU:
Formula: Total Credit Points ÷ Total Credits
Step-by-Step Example:
Let’s say you have 3 subjects.
- Subject A: 4 Credits. You got Grade A (8 points). -> (4 × 8) = 32 Points.
- Subject B: 4 Credits. You got Grade B (6 points). -> (4 × 6) = 24 Points.
- Subject C: 5 Credits. You got Grade O (10 points). -> (5 × 10) = 50 Points.
- Total Credits: 4 + 4 + 5 = 13
- Total Points: 32 + 24 + 50 = 106
- Your SGPA: 106 ÷ 13 = 8.15
Promotion Rules: Can I go to the next semester with backlogs?
According to the CBCS Report and university norms, you are allowed to carry backlogs, but there is a limit for moving between years.
- Sem 1 to Sem 2: Automatic Promotion (Even if you fail all subjects, as long as you registered/appeared).
- Sem 2 to Sem 3: You must pass at least 50% of the total credits of Sem 1 and Sem 2 combined.
- Sem 3 to Sem 4: Automatic Promotion.
- Sem 4 to Sem 5: You must pass at least 50% of the total credits of Sem 1, 2, 3, and 4 combined.
- Sem 5 to Sem 6: Automatic Promotion.
Disclaimer & Sources
Source of Information: The details in this article are derived directly from the Osmania University CBCS Rules & Regulations PDF (No.515/M/Acad.I/2017) and the official instructions provided on the backside of the 2024 Student Marks Memo.
Note: University rules regarding “ou degree pass marks out of 80” or promotion criteria can be updated. Always verify the latest information with your college administration or the official Osmania University website.