- Osmania University is ranked 30th among universities and 53rd overall in NIRF 2025, and 7th among state public universities
- It holds a NAAC A+ grade with a 3.52 CGPA
- Regular undergraduate tuition for 2025-2026 is 4,840 to 7,260 rupees per year on the official fee structure
- Hyderabad is now in Telangana, not Andhra Pradesh.
What Is Osmania University?
Osmania University, often called OU, is a public state university in Hyderabad, Telangana, established in 1918 by Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad. It is the seventh oldest university in India and the third oldest in South India, holding NAAC A+ accreditation and University with Potential for Excellence status.
Osmania University was set up by and named after Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh and last Nizam of Hyderabad. The initiative came from senior civil servant Sir Akbar Hydari, who pushed for an institution that taught in Urdu, then the official language of the state, before the university later adopted English.
When Was Osmania University Established?
Osmania University was established in 1918 through a firman issued by Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, on 29 August 1917. It was the first university in the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad and the first Indian university to use Urdu as the medium of instruction, later shifting to English.
Over more than a century the university has grown into a large collegiate system with many faculties, dozens of departments and numerous constituent and affiliated colleges spread across Telangana. Its examination branch publishes results for hundreds of colleges and lakhs of students every year.
Government Education Loan for Study AbroadRead →Where Is Osmania University Located?
Osmania University sits on a sprawling green campus of roughly 500 hectares, about 1,300 acres, at Amberpet in Hyderabad, Telangana. The urban campus houses constituent colleges, hostels, a central library founded in 1918, gardens and a small deer park, and is one of the largest university campuses in India.
- Green urban campus of roughly 500 hectares, about 1,300 acres, at Amberpet, Hyderabad
- NAAC A+ accreditation with a 3.52 CGPA and UGC University with Potential for Excellence status
- Landmark Arts College building, a central library founded in 1918 and extensive gardens
- A small deer park and large tree-planted areas within the campus grounds
What Courses Does Osmania University Offer?
Osmania University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate and doctoral programmes across arts, commerce, science, engineering, law, management, education, pharmacy and informatics. Its constituent colleges include the University College of Engineering, established in 1929, the Faculty of Law dating to 1899, and the University College of Arts and Social Sciences. Distance programmes run through the PGRRCDE centre.
- Undergraduate: B.A., B.Com, B.Sc, B.Ed, B.F.A., B.P.Ed and B.Lib.I.Sc
- Postgraduate: M.A., M.Com, M.Sc, M.B.A. and M.C.A across many specialisations
- Professional: engineering at the University College of Engineering and law at the Faculty of Law
- Doctoral and M.Phil research programmes across arts, science, commerce and engineering
- Distance and open learning programmes through the PGRRCDE centre
What Is the Osmania University Fee Structure in 2026?
Osmania University is a public institution with modest fees. Under its official 2025-2026 fee structure, annual regular undergraduate tuition is 4,840 rupees for B.A., 6,050 for B.Com and 7,260 for B.Sc. Self-financing streams cost more, ranging from about 9,680 to 19,360 rupees per year depending on the specialisation chosen.
| Undergraduate Programme (Regular, 2025-2026) | Annual Tuition 2026 |
|---|---|
| B.A. (all combinations) | Rs 4,840 |
| B.Com (all combinations) | Rs 6,050 |
| B.Sc (all combinations) | Rs 7,260 |
| B.Com Computers/Taxation (self-financing) | Rs 16,940 |
| B.Sc Life Sciences (self-financing) | Rs 19,360 |
How Does Osmania University Admission Work?
Admission to Osmania University postgraduate programmes is through a common entrance test conducted by the university's Directorate of Admissions, historically the OUCET. Undergraduate admissions follow Telangana state counselling processes. The registration fee is 700 rupees for OC and BC candidates, 575 rupees for SC, ST and PH candidates, and 450 rupees for each additional subject chosen.
Candidates apply online through the Directorate of Admissions, fill in their details, pay the fee through TS or AP online centres or a payment gateway, and appear for the relevant entrance test. Application forms and notifications are published on the official university website.
Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in USARead →What Is the NIRF Ranking of Osmania University?
In the NIRF 2025 rankings, Osmania University is placed 30th among Indian universities and 53rd in the overall category, up from 43rd and 70th respectively in 2024. It also ranks 7th among state public universities. The university holds a NAAC A+ grade with a 3.52 CGPA awarded in its accreditation cycle.
Osmania University has steadily improved its national standing, rising to 30th among universities and 53rd overall in NIRF 2025 from 43rd and 70th a year earlier. It has also appeared in the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Who Are the Notable Alumni of Osmania University?
Osmania University has produced many prominent alumni, including P. V. Narasimha Rao, the ninth Prime Minister of India, and Shantanu Narayen, the chairman and chief executive of Adobe. Other notable graduates include Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel to space, former Union minister Jaipal Reddy, and several judges, scientists and civil servants.
- P. V. Narasimha Rao, ninth Prime Minister of India
- Shantanu Narayen, chairman and chief executive of Adobe
- Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel to space
- Jaipal Reddy, former Union cabinet minister
- Numerous judges, scientists, academics and senior civil servants
How Are Placements at Osmania University?
The Directorate of Placement Services coordinates campus recruitment at Osmania University. Companies that visit include Adobe, Accenture, Google, Microsoft, Wipro, Reliance and Tech Mahindra, with engineering, management and law students among the most sought after. The university also supports internships, and its central location in Hyderabad's technology hub aids industry links.
At a central level the university organises campus placements at its main campus, with individual departments also arranging recruitment. Top recruiters have included Adobe, Accenture, Google, Microsoft, Wipro and Reliance, and law and management graduates are among the most sought after.