Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)
How credits are calculated, distributed, and what's required to earn your B.Pharm degree.
193
Minimum Credits
Required to be awarded the B.Pharm degree across all 8 semesters.
8
Semesters
4 academic years (3 years for lateral entry via D.Pharm). 90+ working days each.
75%
Min. Attendance
Required separately in Theory and Practical for each course to sit exams.
30 hrs
= 1 Credit
For internship and project work. Lecture: 1 hr/week = 1 credit. Lab: 2 hrs/week = 1 credit.
Credit System Basics
What exactly is CBCS and why is it used?
CBCS stands for Choice Based Credit System. It is the official mode of learning mandated by PCI under NEP 2020 for B.Pharm. Under CBCS, each part of the academic work — lectures, practicals, internship, projects — is measured in credits, not just hours. This lets students select courses from a wider range, earn credits systematically, and transfer credits between institutions via the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC). All UGC/PCI-approved programs must implement CBCS.
Key rule: Credits reflect workload intensity. A 4-credit theory course = 4 hours/week of lectures throughout the semester.
How are credits calculated for theory, practical, and internship?
| Type | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Theory (Lecture) | 1 hr/week = 1 credit | 3 hrs/week → 3 credits |
| Practical (Lab) | 2 hrs/week = 1 credit | 4 hrs/week → 2 credits |
| Internship / Project | 30 hours = 1 credit | 120 hrs → 4 credits |
Fractional credits: If a calculation gives a fraction of 0.5 or below, the lower integer is assigned as the credit value.
What is the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and credit transfer?
The ABC is a national digital repository where all semester-wise credits and grades are stored against each student's unique ABC ID. The Examining Authority is responsible for:
- Creating and verifying each student's ABC ID
- Uploading semester-wise credits and grades to the ABC
- Maintaining records in the National Academic Depository (NAD)
What are the different types of courses under CBCS?
Under CBCS, courses are categorised as:
Core (Theory)
Core (Practical)
Elective Courses
Skill Enhancement
Ability Enhancement
Multi-disciplinary
Value Added
Enrichment
Elective courses allow students freedom to select from a large pool (Appendix I of the syllabus). Multidisciplinary courses are offered outside the core curriculum, encouraging exposure to allied areas and improving placement prospects.
How does lateral entry (D.Pharm) credit counting work?
Lateral entry students join from Semester III. They must take extra bridging courses:
- Semester III: Healthcare Psychology & Communication Skills (Theory + Practical) + Basics of Python Programming for Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Semester IV: Applied Biostatistics and Data Analytics for Pharmaceutical Sciences
Credit counting: They are awarded 47 total credits — 41 credits for the D.Pharm diploma, and 6 for the above bridge courses. The 41 credits appear on the Semester III marksheet.
What is the semester schedule and academic calendar structure?
| Semesters | Period | Exams |
|---|---|---|
| Odd (I, III, V, VII) | June/July – Nov/Dec | November/December |
| Even (II, IV, VI, VIII) | Dec/Jan – May/June | May/June |
Interactive: CGPA / Grade Calculator
Enter your total marks for any course to see your letter grade and grade points.
Total Marks Obtained
Maximum Marks
Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA)
How sessional tests, continuous assessment, and internal marks are structured and managed.
Internal Assessment Structure
What is CIA and how is it split from end-semester marks?
CIA (Continuous Internal Assessment) is the internal evaluation component of each course. It is split between:
- Continuous Mode (CA): Attendance, class participation, assignments, co-curricular activities
- Sessional Exams: Two written tests per semester per course
| Credits | Total Marks | Internal (CIA) | External (End-Sem) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 credits | 100 | 40 | 60 |
| 3 credits | 75 | 30 | 45 |
| 2 or 1 credit | 50 | 20 | 30 |
The ratio is always 40% internal : 60% external, regardless of total marks.
How many sessional exams are there, and how is the average computed?
Two sessional exams are conducted per course, per semester. The average of the two sessional marks counts toward internal assessment. This average, combined with the continuous assessment marks, makes up the total CIA marks.
Improvement option: A student may improve their sessional mark once per semester only. The re-sessional is conducted in the same semester and only applies to the sessional component — continuous assessment is unchanged.
What is the Internal Examination Committee and what does it do?
The Internal Examination Committee is constituted by the Principal/HoI. Its composition:
- Principal / HoI — Chairperson
- B.Pharm Programme Coordinator — Member Secretary
- One senior faculty from each department
- Examination Cell In-charge — Member
- Planning and approving the internal assessment calendar
- Moderating sessional question papers to align with Bloom's Taxonomy / Miller's Pyramid
- Reviewing and finalising internal marks before university submission
- Addressing student grievances on internal marks
- Promoting outcome-based and skill-oriented assessment methods
What is the question paper pattern for Sessional (Theory) exams?
| Question Type | 4-Credit Course | 3-Credit Course | 1-2 Credit Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ / Objective (Compulsory) | 4×1 mark or 2×2 marks | 2×1 mark | 2×1 mark |
| Short Answers | 2 out of 3 × 3 marks | 2 out of 3 × 3 marks | 1 out of 2 × 3 marks |
| Long Answers | 1 out of 2 × 10 marks | 1 out of 2 × 7 marks | 1 out of 2 × 5 marks |
| Total / Duration | 20 marks / 1 Hour | 15 marks / 1 Hour | 10 marks / 1 Hour |
What is the pattern for Sessional (Practical) exams?
For 1–2 credit practical courses:
Duration: As per the hours allotted in the scheme (typically 3–4 hours).
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | 2 |
| Major Experiment | 4 |
| Minor Experiment | 2 |
| Viva Voce | 2 |
| Total | 10 marks |
What happens to CIA marks if a student fails the end-semester exam?
The CIA marks are carried forward. If a student fails to secure 50% overall (including CIA), they must reappear only for the end-semester examination. The CIA marks already obtained are retained, and the student receives the grade earned upon passing.
Students can progress to the next semester even after failing a course — there is no year-back system under CBCS. However, all Semester I–VII courses must be cleared before the Semester VIII end-semester exam.
What is the role of Bloom's Taxonomy and Miller's Pyramid in CIA?
The Internal Examination Committee is required to moderate question papers in alignment with Bloom's Taxonomy (for theory courses) and Miller's Pyramid (for clinical/pharmacy practice competence). These frameworks ensure:
- Bloom's Taxonomy: Questions span from Remember → Understand → Apply → Analyze → Evaluate → Create, ensuring higher-order thinking is tested
- Miller's Pyramid: Monitors student progress from Knows → Knows How → Shows How → Does, used especially in pharmacy practice assessment
Semester-End Examination Patterns
Structure and question patterns for the university-conducted end-semester exams.
Theory Examination
Who conducts end-semester exams, and when?
End-semester exams are conducted by the university (not the college) for all theory and practical courses across all 8 semesters.
| Semester Type | Regular Exam | Supplementary Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Odd (I, III, V, VII) | November / December | Within 2 months of result |
| Even (II, IV, VI, VIII) | May / June | Within 2 months of result |
What is the question paper pattern for end-semester Theory exams?
| Question Type | 4-Credit (60 marks) | 3-Credit (45 marks) | 1-2 Credit (30 marks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ / Objective (Compulsory) | 20×1 mark or 10×2 marks | 10×1 mark | 10×1 mark |
| Short Answers | 5 out of 7 × 4 marks | 5 out of 7 × 4 marks | 5 out of 7 × 2 marks |
| Long Answers | 2 out of 3 × 10 marks | 2 out of 3 × 7.5 marks | 2 out of 3 × 5 marks |
| Duration | 3 Hours | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours |
What is the question pattern for end-semester Practical exams?
For practical courses (1–2 credit), the end-semester practical exam comprises:
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | 7.5 |
| Major Experiment | 10 |
| Minor Experiment | 5 |
| Viva Voce | 7.5 |
| Total | 30 marks |
Duration: Practical courses with 4 hours/week → 4-hour exam. Courses with less than 4 hours/week → 3-hour exam.
What is the passing criteria and how are grace marks awarded?
A student passes a course when they secure at least 50% of total marks (including CIA). For example:
- 100-mark course → minimum 50 marks (CIA + End-Sem combined)
- 75-mark course → minimum 37.5 marks
- 50-mark course → minimum 25 marks
Grace Marks: Awarded as per the norms of the respective university, with emphasis on promoting learner progression. The syllabus does not specify a fixed quantum — check your affiliating university's rules.
Can students appear for Semester VIII exams if they haven't cleared earlier semesters?
Students can move to the next semester even with failed courses. However:
- To appear for the Semester VIII end-semester exam, all Semester I–VII courses must be successfully completed
- Final CGPA is awarded only after all Semester I–VIII courses are cleared
- The maximum allowed time to complete the programme is twice the prescribed duration (i.e., 8 years for regular, 6 years for lateral entry)
Students exceeding this period must discontinue the course.
Grading System & Outcome-Based Evaluation
Letter grades, SGPA/CGPA calculation, class declaration, and OBE framework.
Letter Grades & Grade Points
What are the letter grades and corresponding grade points?
| % Marks | Letter Grade | Grade Point | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100 | O | 10 | Outstanding |
| 80 – 89.99 | A | 9 | Excellent |
| 70 – 79.99 | B | 8 | Good |
| 60 – 69.99 | C | 7 | Fair |
| 50 – 59.99 | D | 6 | Average |
| Below 50 | F | 0 | Fail |
| Absent | AB | 0 | Fail |
How is SGPA calculated?
SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) is the weighted average of grade points across all courses in a semester.
Formula: SGPA = (C₁G₁ + C₂G₂ + C₃G₃ + …) ÷ (C₁ + C₂ + C₃ + …)
Where C = credits of the course, G = grade points earned
SGPA is rounded to two decimal places and includes F and AB grades (which contribute 0 grade points, reducing SGPA).
Where C = credits of the course, G = grade points earned
Quick SGPA Calculator — enter up to 5 courses:
How is CGPA calculated and what class does it give?
CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is computed across all 8 semesters. It is the weighted average of all 8 SGPAs.
CGPA → Percentage: Multiply CGPA by 10. (e.g., CGPA 7.5 = 75%)
| CGPA Range | Degree Class |
|---|---|
| 7.50 and above | First Class with Distinction |
| 6.00 – 7.49 | First Class |
| 5.00 – 5.99 | Second Class |
Ranks & Medals: Awarded on final CGPA only. Not eligible if failed even one course during the entire programme, or if the programme took more than the minimum 4 years.
Outcome-Based Education (OBE)
What is OBE and how does it apply to B.Pharm evaluation?
OBE (Outcome-Based Education) is an educational theory where every component of the curriculum is tied to defined goals. In B.Pharm:
PEOs
Programme Educational Objectives
Broad professional goals graduates achieve a few years after graduation (e.g., "Apply pharmaceutical knowledge in research").
POs
Programme Outcomes
Knowledge, skills, and competencies at graduation (e.g., "Select and apply AI tools in pharmaceutical contexts"). 11 POs defined.
COs
Course Outcomes
What students should know and do after each course. Direct method (exam performance) + Indirect method (course exit survey) are both used.
What are rubrics and how are projects and presentations evaluated?
Rubrics are structured scoring tools that map evaluation criteria to marks. For project/dissertation evaluation, the syllabus defines explicit rubric tables:
| Dissertation Book (60 marks) | Max Marks |
|---|---|
| Objectives of work undertaken | 10 |
| Methodology adopted | 20 |
| Results and discussion | 20 |
| Conclusion and outcome | 10 |
| Presentation (90 marks — individual) | Max Marks |
|---|---|
| Presentation of work | 40 |
| Communication skills | 20 |
| Question and answer skills | 30 |
The dissertation book marks (60) are same for all students in a group. The presentation marks (90) are individual based on each student's performance.
Internship Framework
Mandatory training requirements, evaluation, and placement options for B.Pharm students.
240 hrs
Total Internship
Spread across two semesters (Semester V & VI typically). Two separate reports required.
100
Internship Marks
75 marks for certificate + report. 25 marks for presentation and discussion.
Mentor
Identified Supervisor
Each student must have an identified mentor at the host organisation during internship.
Internship Requirements
Where can students complete their internship?
Eligible internship locations include:
Pharmaceutical Industry
Cosmetics Industry
Medical Devices Industry
Food Industry
Hospital Pharmacy
Community Pharmacy
Clinical Research Organisation
Any relevant field per course content
The internship must be completed at a PCI-approved and relevant facility. At least 10 MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding) must be in place between the institution and industry/labs/hospitals, of which 5 must be with pharmaceutical industries.
How is internship evaluated? What are the marks breakdown?
Each internship period (two separate internships) is evaluated as follows:
Students submit two internship reports (one per semester of internship), each evaluated separately. A regular record of attendance during internship is maintained by the teaching staff.
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Certificate & Report submission | 75 |
| Presentation & Discussion | 25 |
| Total per internship | 100 |
What are the MoU requirements for institutions?
A formal and legally valid MoU must be executed between the pharmacy institution and:
- Minimum 10 MoUs total with pharmaceutical industries, government/NABL-approved drug and medical device testing labs, NABH-accredited hospitals
- Out of these, minimum 5 MoUs must be with pharmaceutical industries
Are industry/field visits mandatory? How are they assessed?
Yes. Industry/field visits are compulsory every academic year. Requirements:
- At least one industrial/field visit per academic year
- Facilities must relate to: API manufacturing, excipients, formulations, medical devices, food, cosmetics, NABL-approved testing labs, or NABH-accredited hospitals
- The same facility cannot be repeated for a given year's visit
Assessment: Students submit individual reports on their visits. These are evaluated in continuous assessment mode as part of any core course, each year, as decided by the Programme Committee.
What is the community service requirement?
Pharmacy institutions are required to adopt a village or ward in the Panchayat/Municipal Corporation and engage in community service activities. These include:
Prescription Survey
Rational Drug Use Awareness
Patient Counselling
Other prescribed activities
This reflects the community-based experiential learning mandate of NEP 2020 and is part of the co-curricular activities framework.
Research Projects, Field Projects & Experiential Learning
How research, field work, and experiential pedagogy are structured in the B.Pharm programme.
Research Projects (Dissertation)
What is the Research Project / Dissertation requirement?
All B.Pharm students must undertake a supervised research project (dissertation). Key rules:
- Groups of maximum 3 students per project
- Supervised by a faculty member, preferably with an external mentor from Industry, Hospital, NABL/CDSCO-approved labs, or allied/interdisciplinary fields
- Report submitted as a typed and bound copy in triplicate, minimum 25 pages
- Evaluated by internal and external examiners appointed by the University
- Students are evaluated in groups for the book, but individually for the presentation
Continuous research option: Students may pursue a single research theme starting in Semester VII and continuing through Semester VIII. In that case, Semester VII milestones are formally evaluated during the Semester VII exams.
How are research projects evaluated — rubrics and marks?
Dissertation Book — 60 marks (group)
| Criteria | Marks |
|---|---|
| Objectives of work | 10 |
| Methodology adopted | 20 |
| Results & discussion | 20 |
| Conclusion & outcome | 10 |
Presentation — 90 marks (individual)
| Criteria | Marks |
|---|---|
| Presentation of work | 40 |
| Communication skills | 20 |
| Q&A skills | 30 |
What is a Field Project and how does it differ from a research project?
Field Project: Formal projects requiring students to conduct surveys outside college/university premises, collecting data from designated communities or natural places (e.g., patient surveys, community drug use studies, environmental pharmaceutical surveys).
Research Project: A laboratory-based or literature-based supervised study carried out in groups, typically in the final year, relating to an elective subject. Usually conducted within the institution with external mentors.
Both contribute to developing students' research skills, data analysis abilities, and scientific communication (aligned with PO5: Research & Innovation).
Experiential & Community Learning
What is experiential learning and how is it implemented in B.Pharm?
Experiential learning is defined in the syllabus as "learning through reflection on doing". Under NEP 2020, it is a mandated pedagogy in B.Pharm. The Programme Committee is required to ensure its effective implementation. Methods include:
Industry Visits
Compulsory annual visits to manufacturing plants, testing labs, hospitals — with individual written reports.
Community Service
Adopted village/ward activities including drug use surveys, patient counselling, and awareness drives.
Internship Training
Minimum 240 hours of hands-on work in industry, hospital, or CRO under a mentor.
Problem-Based Learning
Open-ended problems triggering student-centred inquiry, group collaboration, and real-world application.
What is Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Participative Learning?
Problem-Based Learning (PBL): A student-centred pedagogy where students learn through solving open-ended, real-world problems found in trigger material. The focus is not on a defined solution but on developing:
- Knowledge acquisition and critical analysis
- Group collaboration and communication
- Self-directed learning habits
Participative Learning: A family of approaches enabling people to share, analyze, and enhance knowledge of their life and conditions, then plan, act, monitor, evaluate, and reflect — consistent with community pharmacy and public health activities mandated in B.Pharm.
What co-curricular activities are required and how are they assessed?
Co-curricular activities support the curriculum and include:
Field Trips
Hospital Visits
Community Pharmacy Visits
Quiz & Debate
Seminars
Role-Play
Academic Achievement Displays
Discussions
Assessment: Students submit individual reports for field/industry visits. These are assessed in continuous evaluation mode as part of any core course each year, as decided by the Programme Committee (not separately graded as a standalone course).
How does the Programme Committee oversee experiential learning?
The Programme Committee (chaired by the Principal, with faculty from each department and 4 student representatives) meets at least twice per semester and specifically:
- Ensures implementation of participative, problem-based, and experiential learning approaches
- Encourages use of ICT tools and e-learning resources for higher-order learning
- Periodically reviews attainment of POs and COs using Bloom's Taxonomy and Miller's Pyramid
- Communicates recommendations on academic matters to the Head of Institution
- Decides which core course assessments will carry field visit/community service reports