SGPA, CGPA & Why Every University’s Formula Is Different
Two quick concepts that clear up most of the confusion around Indian grades.
· Verified against official sources
SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) is your average for a single semester. CGPA (Cumulative GPA) combines every semester, normally weighted by each semester's credits.
To get CGPA from SGPA, multiply each semester's SGPA by its credits, add them up, and divide by total credits. If credits are equal, it is just the average of your SGPAs.
Why don’t all universities use the same conversion?
Because a 10-point CGPA is an average of grade points, not a percentage — and every university decides how its grade bands line up with marks. A university whose lowest pass grade is 4.0 will offset the scale (hence − 0.75), while one that treats 10 as 100% just multiplies by 10. CBSE's × 9.5 came from its own data (A1 students averaged ~95 marks ÷ grade point 10).
None of these are "wrong" — they are different design choices. That is exactly why a converter has to know your specific university.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate CGPA from SGPA?
Multiply each semester's SGPA by its credits, sum them, and divide by total credits. With equal credits, average the SGPAs.
Is SGPA higher than CGPA?
Not necessarily — CGPA is the running average of all your SGPAs, so it sits somewhere between your best and worst semesters.
Related guides
Formulas are verified against official or authoritative sources and reflect rules known as of 9 July 2026. Universities can revise conversion rules — always confirm with your examination cell for official submissions.