The Teaching of Political Science in Osmania University began in the year 1919 in the Department of History. In 1948, Political Science acquired the status of an independent discipline with the establishment of a separate department. Since its inception the Department has been continuously evolving with the adoption of new courses from time to time with the introduction of research and guidance facilities and establishment of specialized areas of research and teaching.

Political Science is offered as a course of study at the U.G., P.G., M.Phil. and Ph.D level. Further, it is offered through distance mode at U.G. and P.G. Levels. Presently, Political Science is offered at P.G. level in Univesity College of Arts and Social Sciences and three other Constituent Colleges. There are 30 officers of College of Air WarFare working for M.Phil degree program at the department. Nearly 300 teachers in Political Science are working in affiliated colleges. Around 170 students enroll every year in political science at M.A level in the OU constituent colleges. About 1200 students enroll at M.A. Level through distance mode offered by O.U. In all close to thirty thousand students are studying Political Science at U.G. level. In the last one and half decade 150 research scholars were awarded Doctorate and 300 research scholars were awarded M.Phil in Political Science. Presently 70 research scholars are working for Ph.D degree in the department.

The Department has the distinction of contributing outstanding presonalities to various positions. The members of the department have prestigious positions at the State, National and International level. Among them, Late Prof. G. Ram Reddy had the distinction of heading the Univesity Grants Commission as its Chairman and was also the Vice-Chairman of Commonwealth of Learning. Late Prof. Rasheeduddin Khan was nomitated to Rajya Sabha. Prof. N.G. Rajurkar delivered series of lectures to the Members of the Parliament in 1995.

Further, the Department of Political Science have the distinction of heading some of the important research institutions like ICSSR (Southern Regional Centre, Hyderabad) and Centre for Indo-American Studies. Many of the faculty members also had the opportunity of visiting foreign universities on academic assignments. In addition to this, the department is now for contributing its faculty services to various organizations, associated with higher education in the State and Country. Apart from this, some of the members of the faculty are also closely associated with various Voluntary/Non-Government Organizations dealing with the issues of Farmers, Women, Dalits, Environment and Tribal.

Research Projects :

11 research projects funded by UGC and ICSSR are completed in the department by the faculty members with financial assistance of Rs.19 lakhs.

Collaboration with College of Air Warfare(CAW) :

The College of Air Warfare (CAW) (apart of the Indian Air Force Establishment) is affiliated with the department of Political Science M.Phil Degree for their Higher Air command Course (HACC). A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Osmania University and CAW. Department of Political Science, Osmania University is the First Southern University Department entering into such a form an agreement with a defense establishment for a research degree. M.Phil Degree is awarded to 30 officers in CAW for every year.

Publications:

A large number of reference books and articles has been published by the faculty members in both international and national reputed publishers and journals and also faculty members published text books for UG and PG standard with reputed publishers.

Seminars:

The department had organized 10 national seminars and 1 International seminar in the last five years, in addition to that, number of symposiums and workshops have been organized on various issues. Eminent faculty members from abroad have visited and delivered lectures on prominent National and International Issues.

Resource Persons

The faculty also achieved recognition at the state and national level and they have been invited as Resource persons from the following prestigious training centers.
a. Academic Staff College
b. National Police Academy
c. College of Air WarFare
d. College of Defense Management
e. Dr.M. Channa Reddy Human Resources Development Centre, Government of Telangana State

Awards & Fellowship :

The Department faculty has also been selected for prestigious international fellowship such as;
a. US. Fulbright fellowship
b. Oxford fellowship
c. Jawaharlal Nehru Teen Murthi Fellowship, New Delhi

The Department is adopting several innovative methods, which includes:

a. Adoption of Audio-Visual Media, the Department is maintaining a CD Library on various curriculum.
b. Field studies on related themes
c. PowerPoint presentations
d. Model Assembly, Field Studies Interactive Sessions, Seminars, Group Discussions, Symposium etc.

U.G.C. Supported Schemes:

University Leadership Programme (ULP): {1978-1983}
The department was visited by the various committees of the University Grants Commission (UGC) at various times which enabled it to be selected for various programmes like the University Leadership Programme (1978-1983) which resulted in the publication of undergraduate level Political Science books both in Telugu and English.

Departmental Research Support (DRS):{1988-1992}

The department was also identified for Departmental Research Support in 1988-1992. Under this programme number of academic activities such as seminars, workshops, research projects and field studies were conducted. Large number of books were purchased for the departmental library. Series of publications were made by the teaching staff of the department.

Departmental Special Assistance (DSA)-(Phase-I & II): {1993-2004}

On the successful completion of the DRS, the UGC sanctioned the Departmental Special Assistance Programme (DSA) (Phase-I from April 1993-March 1999 and Phase-II from September 1999-March 2004). Under this programme infrastructure of the department was improved and number of academic activities have taken up.

Assistance for Strengthening of the Infrastructure of the Humanities and Social Sciences (ASIHSS): {2004-2007}

After successful completion of DSA Phase-II, the UGC invited proposals from the Department for ASIHSS Programme and the Department responded by submitting a detailed proposal. The UGC examined and sanctioned the ASIHSS programme for a period of three years i.e., 2004-2007 for strengthening of the infrastructure of the department.

Under this programme infrastructure facilities such as Computer Lab, Seminar Room and Library were added. Large number of books were purchased. Number of national seminars, workshops and orientation programmes were organized. Field works were done by large number of research scholars to secure relevant data on public policies on rural areas.

Centre for Advanced Study-I (CAS-I): {2007-2012}

The Department of Political Science has implemented DSA Phase-I and Phase-II from 1993-2004. The University Grants Commission constituted an Expert Committee to review the progress made by the department in DSA Phase-I and II and consider the proposals for further UGC assistance to the department.

After a very careful and critical in-depth examination of the academic achievements made by the department during the term as well as discussing various aspects of implementation of the programme with the departmental representatives, the Review Committee has submitted their recommendations to the Commission.

On the basis of the recommendations of the Review Committee, the UGC has approved the continuation of UGC assistance at the level of CAS-I to the department of Political Science for 5 years, i.e. 1.4.2007 to 31.3.2012 and provided financial assistance of   Rs. 54 lakhs under different heads.

Centre for Advanced Study-II (CAS-II): {2013-2018}

The Department is having Centre of Advanced Study Phase-II after successfully completing phase-I. The co-ordinator was Prof. Naidu Ashok and Dr. Ch. Venkateshwarlu as Deputy Coordinator.