Osmania University

Osmania University (OU) is one of India's oldest and largest state universities, established in 1918 in Hyderabad by the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It holds NAAC A+ accreditation with a CGPA of 3.52 (3rd cycle, September 2017) and ranked #30 in the NIRF 2025 University category (score 57.94), #7 among Indian State Public Universities (score 65.64), and #53 Overall (score 55.24). The 1,600-acre campus in central Hyderabad is one of the largest university campuses in South Asia.

OU's main campus serves approximately 10,280 enrolled students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes through its constituent colleges: University College of Engineering (UCE, established 1929, autonomous since 1994), University College of Science, University College of Arts and Social Sciences, University College of Commerce and Business Management, and University College of Law. The university affiliates over 900 colleges across Telangana.

The Arts College Building (1939), designed by Belgian architect Ernest Jasper in Indo-Saracenic style blending Ajanta-Ellora motifs with Islamic arches and constructed in pink granite, is an iconic heritage structure for which Osmania filed a trademark application in April 2024. If granted, it would become India's third trademarked building after the Taj Mahal Hotel and Bombay Stock Exchange. Notable alumni include Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, India's first cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma, cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin, and tennis player Sania Mirza.

Osmania University Snapshot

Courses and Fees

University College of Engineering (UCE, Autonomous, 4 years, B.E.)

UCE Osmania is one of the oldest engineering colleges in South India (established 1929). Admission is through TG EAPCET only; no JEE-based admissions.

M.E./M.Tech (2-year postgraduate engineering) programmes are also offered at UCE via GATE/OUCET. Exact seat matrix per branch is published in the official TG EAPCET counselling schedule at tgeapcet.nic.in.

University College of Commerce and Business Management (UCCBM, Tarnaka)

University College of Science

University College of Arts and Social Sciences

University College of Law

Undergraduate Programmes (Main Campus)

Exact fee per programme is published at osmania.ac.in. Arts and Science UG fees at Osmania are among the most subsidised in the country.

Admissions

B.E./B.Tech at University College of Engineering (UCE) is through TG EAPCET (formerly TS EAMCET), the Telangana Engineering, Agriculture, and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test. UCE is an autonomous college under Osmania University and follows Telangana state counselling. Approximately 85% of seats are filled through state merit (TG EAPCET rank); 15% are management and NRI quota. Eligible candidates must have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and qualify TG EAPCET. Lateral entry (direct 2nd year) is available for Diploma holders through CEEP (Common Entrance Examination for Polytechnic) at uceou.in.

MBA and MCA admissions are through TSICET (Telangana State Integrated Common Entrance Test) conducted by JNTU Hyderabad on behalf of the Telangana Government. TSICET tests quantitative aptitude, data analysis, and communication ability. Score valid for 3 years; candidates register at tsicet.ac.in.

M.Sc, M.A., M.Com, LL.M, and Ph.D programmes admit through OUCET (Osmania University Common Entrance Test), conducted annually by Osmania University. OUCET covers subject-specific papers for each programme. The Ph.D route additionally requires a departmental interview. GATE-qualified candidates are preferred for M.Tech/M.E. and are eligible for MHRD scholarship (Rs 12,400/month).

Reservation within all state-counselled programmes follows Telangana norms: OBC/BC (27%), SC (15%), ST (6%), EWS (10%). Domicile of Telangana required for state merit seats.

Fees

Osmania University fees are among the most subsidised in India for a university of its stature. B.E./B.Tech at UCE costs approximately Rs 50,000 per year (confirmed from 2024-25 data). MBA at UCCBM is approximately Rs 75,000 per year. MCA fees are comparable to MBA. PG programmes in Arts and Science (M.A., M.Sc, M.Com) are nominal at Rs 3,000-8,000 per year. UG Arts and Science programmes are approximately Rs 5,000 per year or less.

Students from SC/ST categories in Telangana with family income below Rs 2 lakh per year are eligible for full fee reimbursement under the Telangana TS EPASS scholarship. OBC/BC/EBC/Minority students with income below Rs 1.5 lakh (rural) / Rs 2 lakh (urban) qualify for partial fee support. In practice, most SC/ST students at Osmania pay negligible fees after reimbursement.

Scholarships

• TS EPASS (Telangana ePASS): Full fee reimbursement for SC/ST students from Telangana with family income below Rs 2 lakh per year. OBC/BC/EBC/Minority students with income below Rs 1.5-2 lakh also qualify for partial support. Apply at telanganaepass.cgg.gov.in with income and category certificates.
• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): Post-matric scholarships for SC/ST, OBC, Minority, and Disabled students. Apply at scholarships.gov.in.
• PM Scholarship Scheme (PMSS): For wards of ex-servicemen and ex-coast guards. Apply via Kendriya Sainik Board portal.
• GATE Scholarship: M.Tech students admitted via valid GATE score qualify for MHRD stipend of Rs 12,400 per month for the full 2-year duration.
• OU Merit Scholarship: Osmania University internal scholarship for students ranking in the top of their department; amount varies by college.
• EWS Reservation: 10% of seats are reserved for Economically Weaker Section candidates with family income below Rs 8 lakh per year under the national EWS reservation.

Campus

Osmania University's 1,600-acre campus in central Hyderabad (Telangana 500007) is one of the largest university campuses in South Asia. The main campus houses the Arts College, Science College, Law College, and administrative buildings. UCE (engineering) has its own campus adjacent to the main campus at Amberpet. UCCBM (Commerce/MBA) operates from a campus at Tarnaka, approximately 3 km from the main campus.

Heritage: The Arts College Building (1939), designed in Indo-Saracenic style by Belgian architect Ernest Jasper, is the university's iconic landmark. The building blends Ajanta-Ellora artistic motifs with Islamic arched windows, constructed in pink Kakatiya-era granite across 2.5 lakh square feet with 164 rooms. Osmania filed for trademark protection of this building in April 2024, which, if granted, would make it India's 3rd trademarked building.

Hostels: Multiple hostels serve students at each constituent college. UCE has five named hostels: Kinnera and New Kinnera (boys, 1st year and final year), Ganga (boys, 2nd-3rd year), Swarnamukhi (boys, M.E./M.Tech), and a Girls Hostel for all female engineering students. The main campus has Yamuna Hostel and New PG Hostel (boys, 109 rooms, research scholars) and two Campus Ladies Hostels (girls, general and research students). UCCBM has Manjeera Hostel (boys) and a Campus Ladies Hostel. Hostel charges of approximately Rs 5,000-8,000 per month include room and utilities; mess charges billed separately. SC/ST students are given priority in hostel allocation.

Library: The Central Library, established 1918 along with the university, holds approximately 500,000 books and 6,000-plus manuscripts including rare palm-leaf collections. The University College of Law Library is one of South India's largest law libraries with subscriptions to All India Reporter, Supreme Court Cases, and Indian Bar Review.

Research and Facilities: The Central Facilities for Research and Development (CFRD) houses advanced instrumentation labs used by research scholars across departments. Extensive sports grounds for cricket, football, basketball, volleyball, and athletics are available on the 1,600-acre campus. Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity is available at hostels across campuses.

Osmania University is approximately 7 km from Secunderabad Railway Station and 32 km from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. TSRTC bus routes and the Hyderabad Metro serve the surrounding areas.