Osmania University will reschedule degree examinations originally slated for 28 May 2025 in observance of Bakrid (Eid-ul-Adha), Vice-Chancellor Prof Kumar Molugaram confirmed on Monday. The decision aligns with the Telangana Government's official holiday calendar and follows a formal request by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi.

What the Vice-Chancellor Said

Prof Molugaram clarified that the university had already ensured no examinations were scheduled on 27 May, in line with the state government's declared holidays. In a formal statement, he added: 'However, if there is any change in the date of Bakrid, the examinations will be rescheduled accordingly under the jurisdiction of Osmania University.' Students were directed to monitor the official OU website for further updates as they become available.

Exams Affected on 28 May

Several undergraduate papers were originally pencilled in for the festival date. According to Owaisi's post on X, the affected examinations include: BCom 4th Semester – Business Statistics; BCom 6th Semester – Accounting Standards and Corporate Governance; BSc Honours 4th Semester – Computer Science (Big Data); BSc Honours 6th Semester – Optimization Techniques; BSc Biomedical Science 4th Semester; BA (CBCS) 6th Semester – Mathematics; and BSW (CBCS) 4th Semester – Social Work Methodology III. Owaisi had written to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, arguing that holding exams on the festival day would place Muslim students at a clear disadvantage.

Moon Sighting and the Bakrid Date

The Moon Sighting Committee, comprising eminent Islamic scholars, announced that the crescent marking the start of Dhul-Hijjah — the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar — was not sighted in Hyderabad or elsewhere in Telangana on Sunday, 17 May. Consequently, Tuesday, 19 May was declared the first day of Dhul-Hijjah, placing the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah (Bakrid) on 28 May 2025. The Telangana government is accordingly set to formally revise its holiday list and declare 28 May a public holiday.

Broader Significance

Bakrid marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage and is regarded as the second most significant festival in Islam. The beginning of Dhul-Hijjah simultaneously signals the start of the Hajj season. Notably, exam-holiday conflicts of this nature have periodically surfaced at central universities across India, often requiring last-minute administrative intervention. The Osmania University management's proactive clarification aims to prevent student anxiety ahead of the semester-end examination cycle. Fresh scheduling details are expected to be published on the official OU portal in the coming days.