Bangalore University To Give Grace Marks To Avoid Exam Malpractices

Passing a subject just got a bit easier in Bangalore University. The university has revived grace marks system that it had scrapped five years ago. The reason for such a initiative is to dissuade students from indulging in exam malpractices.

The grace marks system for undergraduate and postgraduate students of BU and its affiliated colleges was approved by the academic council meeting here on Thursday. Under this system, 1 of the total marks for the semester/year will be earmarked for each student as grace marks. This system will come into effect from this academic year.

B Thimme Gowda, BU vice chancellor, said the system of providing grace marks was stopped in 2010-11, but they are reintroducing it in the wake of requests from students. "To obtain minimum pass marks, some students even approach middlemen. The grace marks allotted to students will be deducted from other subjects in which they have scored high marks," he said.

3 extra grace marks too: The university has sent a proposal to the government to implement a new rule in the grace marks system.

KN Ninge Gowda, registrar (evaluation) of BU, said once the rule is approved, if a student fails to get the minimum pass marks in a subject even after allotting two grace marks, then he/she will be given three more marks. But the student should have scored more than 50 in the remaining subjects.

Integrated BEd-MEd course: From next year, BU will offer a three-year integrated BEd-MEd course. "We have sent a proposal to the National Council for Teacher Education to give exit option. If a student discontinues the course after two years, he/she will be given only BEd certificate," said the V-C.