Osmania University: Muslim Students Only?

Osmania University is a collegiate public state university located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It was established in 1917 and is the third oldest university in southern India. The university is named after its founder, Nawab Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad. It was the first Indian university to use Urdu as a language of instruction, although English is now the medium of instruction. Osmania University is a non-profit university funded and managed by the government. It is recognised by the University Grants Commission of India and has an enrollment range of 10,000-14,999 students. The university offers courses at the undergraduate, postgraduate, doctorate, postgraduate diploma and research levels. Admission is based on merit and entrance examinations. International students are welcome to apply.

Osmania University's religious affiliation

Osmania University is a collegiate public state university located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It was established in 1917 by Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, and is named after its founder. It is the third oldest university in southern India and the first to be established in the erstwhile Kingdom of Hyderabad.

The university began functioning in 1918 with only two faculties, Arts and Theology, and 225 students. It was the first Indian university to use Urdu as a language of instruction, with English as a compulsory subject. However, English later replaced Urdu as the medium of instruction. Today, the university offers courses in a wide range of disciplines, including Humanities, Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Engineering, Medicine, Technology, Commerce, and Business Management.

Osmania University is one of the largest university systems in the world, with over 300,000 students across its campuses and affiliated colleges. The university has a diverse student population, attracting students from across India and other countries. The university's alumni include distinguished individuals from various fields, such as former Prime Minister of India P. V. Narasimha Rao, CEO of Adobe Systems Shantanu Narayen, and former Indian Cricket team captain Mohammed Azharuddin.

The university is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and has been awarded an 'A+' grade. It is a non-profit institution funded and managed by the government. Admissions to the university are based on merit, evaluated through national entrance examinations for various programs.

While the university has a Centre for Educational Development of Minorities, it does not exclusively admit Muslim students. Osmania University welcomes students from all religious backgrounds and focuses on academic excellence and progress. The university's vision is to generate and disseminate knowledge through a harmonious and inclusive environment.

The university's history

Osmania University was established in 1917 and is named after its founder, Nawab Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad. It is the seventh oldest in India, the third oldest in south India and the first to be established in the erstwhile princely State of Hyderabad.

The university was founded after Sir Akbar Hydari, in a memorandum to the Education Minister, emphasised the need to establish a university in Hyderabad with Urdu as the medium of instruction, "as it is the language of the widest currency in India". On 26 April 1917, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, issued a firman to establish Osmania University.

The university began functioning in 1918 in a building adjacent to the Nizam College at Basheerbagh. Arts and theology were the only two faculties offered, and the first batch consisted of 225 students and 25 faculty members.

The government invited Patrick Geddes and Edwin Jasper to set up a permanent campus for the university. Geddes surveyed prospective locations and presented his report in 1923. Jasper drew up the building plans and the Nizam laid the foundation stone for the campus on 5 July 1934. After Jasper left Hyderabad, the state architect Zain Yar Jung supervised the construction of the campus.

After India's independence and the accession of the Hyderabad State in 1948, the university fell under the purview of the state government. The central government announced plans to convert Osmania University into a central university with Hindi as the medium of instruction, but this led to protests and the plan was dropped. Eventually, English replaced Urdu as the medium of instruction, and the Nizam's crown was also removed from the university seal.

Today, Osmania University is one of the largest university systems in the world with over 300,000 students on its campuses and affiliated colleges. The university offers courses in Humanities, Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Engineering, Medicine, Technology, Commerce and Business Management, Information Technology and Oriental Languages.

Admission criteria and process

Osmania University, established in 1917, is a state university located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It is named after its founder, Nawab Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad. The university offers various courses at the undergraduate, postgraduate, doctorate, postgraduate diploma, and research levels. The admission criteria and process for each level are as follows:

Undergraduate (UG) Admissions:

• Osmania University offers 3-year UG courses with a wide range of specializations.
• The eligibility criteria for UG courses are set by the university every year and vary depending on the specific course. For example, candidates must have passed 10+2 with a minimum aggregate of 45% with Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry as compulsory subjects for admission into the B.Tech/BE program.
• The admission process for UG courses generally begins in April with the availability of application forms.
• Admissions are mainly granted based on a common entrance test conducted by Osmania University, known as the Telangana State-Engineering, Agricultural, and Medical Common Entrance Test (TS-EAMCET).
• For certain courses, such as Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), candidates must appear for an entrance test conducted by the university.
• The selection criteria for UG courses are based on merit in the qualifying examination or the entrance test, depending on the specific course.

Postgraduate (PG) Admissions:

• Osmania University offers PG programs such as MA, M.Com, M.Sc, Integrated M.Sc, MSW, M.Ed, MCJ, LLM, M.Li.Sc, M.P.Ed, and MFC in various fields.
• The basic eligibility criteria for PG courses are a graduation degree in a relevant discipline. Specific percentage requirements vary by course.
• The final selection for PG courses is generally done based on an entrance examination conducted by the university, known as the Osmania University Common Entrance Test (OUCET).
• For certain courses, such as MBA and MCA, admission is based on a valid score in the Integrated Common Entrance Test (ICET).

Doctorate (PhD) Admissions:

• Osmania University offers PhD programs in various disciplines.
• The basic eligibility criteria for PhD courses are a postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate of 55% (50% for reserved categories).
• Selection for PhD programs is based on a valid score in national-level entrance examinations such as GATE, NET, JEST, SET-TS, or GPAT. Osmania University also conducts its own PhD Eligibility Test.

Postgraduate Diploma Admissions:

• Osmania University offers Postgraduate Diploma programs with different specializations, such as E-commerce, Taxation, and PMIR.
• The eligibility criteria for Postgraduate Diploma courses are a graduation degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 40% marks.
• The selection for Postgraduate Diploma courses is done based on an Entrance Test conducted by the university.

Master of Engineering (ME) and Master of Technology (MTech) Admissions:

• Osmania University offers ME and MTech programs in the field of Engineering and Technology with various specializations.
• The eligibility criteria for ME and MTech courses are a B.Tech/BE degree with a minimum aggregate of 55% from a recognized university.
• Selection for ME and MTech courses is based on merit/rank secured in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). If sufficient GATE-qualified candidates are not available, admissions may be based on an Entrance Test conducted by the university or the government.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Admissions:

• Osmania University offers MPhil programs under various disciplines.
• The eligibility criteria for MPhil courses are a Master's degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% (50% for reserved categories).
• Selection for MPhil programs is based on merit in the Entrance Test conducted by Osmania University.

The Directorate of Admissions at Osmania University was established in 2000 to centralize and streamline the admissions process. The directorate issues notifications for entrance examinations, conducts entrance exams, organizes counselling sessions, and approves the list of admitted candidates.

Courses offered

Osmania University, established in 1917, is the seventh oldest university in India, the third oldest in South India, and the first to be established in the erstwhile princely State of Hyderabad. The university is named after its founder, Nawab Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad. It offers a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as doctorate and certificate courses. Here is a detailed list of the courses offered by Osmania University:

Undergraduate Courses

Osmania University offers various undergraduate programmes in different streams such as Science, Engineering, Commerce, Law, Education, Physical Education, and Technology. Some of the popular undergraduate courses include:

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)
• Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.)
• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)
• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
• Bachelor of Physical Education
• Bachelor of Law (LLB)

Postgraduate Courses

The university also offers a range of postgraduate courses in various disciplines. Some of the popular postgraduate programmes include:

• Master of Science (M.Sc)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Technology (M.Tech)
• Master of Commerce (M.Com)
• Master of Education (M.Ed)
• Master of Physical Education
• Master of Law (LLM)

Doctorate Courses

Osmania University provides research opportunities and doctorate programmes for students aspiring to pursue a career in academia or contribute to their field of study. The university offers Ph.D. programmes in multiple disciplines.

Certificate Courses

In addition to degree programmes, Osmania University also offers certificate courses that provide students with specialised knowledge and skills in specific areas. These courses are usually shorter in duration and focus on practical training.

The university has a comprehensive admission process that includes entrance examinations and merit-based evaluations. The specific eligibility criteria and admission requirements vary for each course, and interested candidates are advised to refer to the official website of Osmania University for detailed information.

Student facilities and services

Osmania University, established in 1917, is the seventh oldest university in India, the third oldest in South India, and the first to be established in the erstwhile princely State of Hyderabad. The university is named after its founder, Nawab Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad.

• The Osmania University library has nearly 500,000 books and over 6,000 manuscripts, including rare palm-leaf manuscripts. It subscribes to about 400 periodicals and learned journals in various subjects. The library's holdings include nearly 58,000 bound volumes of journals, 3,858 government documents, 272 files, 6,428 manuscripts, 143 microfilms, and 9 CD-ROMs. There is also a Competitive Examinations Reference Section for candidates appearing for various competitive examinations. The Library building is situated at the highest altitude of the University campus, covering a floor area of 62,000 sq. ft.
• The university has 14 hostels on campus. A separate hostel accommodation exists for engineering students close to the College of Engineering. All the hostels have basic amenities like water purifiers, common rooms, recreation rooms, mess, TV, laundry services, security, and a surveillance system.
• Sports facilities include badminton courts, basketball courts, cricket grounds, football grounds, swimming pools, tennis courts, table tennis, hockey grounds, kabaddi courts, volleyball courts, and athletic tracks.
• The university provides computer labs and a central instrumentation lab.
• There is a guest house, post office, bank, and seminar hall on campus.
• The university has a Students Welfare Department.
• The university provides online services such as online certificate applications and verification.

Frequently asked questions