A simple, sensitive and rapid spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of osmium using cyclohexane 1,3-dione bisthiosemicarbazone mono-hydrochloride (1,3-CHDT.HCl). The method is based on the instantaneous colour reaction between 1,3-CHDT. HCl and osmium(VIII) in sodium acetate—acetic acid buffer medium (pH range 3–6). The osmium complex shows maximum absorbance at 375 nm and considerable absorbance at 510 nm. Although the complex formed between platinum(IV) and reagent (1,3-CHDT.HCl) shows maximum absorbance at 375 nm, it does not show any absorbance at 510 nm. Simultaneous determination of osmium and platinum is carried out when present alone and in presence of other foreign (associated) ions. Some physico-chemical and analytical characteristics of osmium and platinum complex are described. Interference of various foreign ions have studied and osmium is estimated selectively in the presence of constituents of platinum ores.