NEW DELHI: The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is a major step to make research articles and journals easily available to students and researchers across India. This Central Sector Scheme seeks to streamline access to high-quality academic resources through a simple, user-friendly, and fully digital process, revolutionizing the way students, faculty, and researchers access global knowledge. ONOS provides nationwide subscription benefits to over 6,300 government higher education institutions and central government R&D laboratories, potentially impacting approximately 1.8 crore students, faculty members, and researchers across the country. The One Nation One Subscription scheme has been allocated nearly Rs 6,000 crore for implementation over the three calendar years 2025, 2026, and 2027 as part of a new Central Sector initiative.
Prof M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of the UGC, explained the impact of ONOS. He said reading research articles helps improve critical thinking, analytical skills, and research methods. The initiative aims to make research materials accessible to everyone and create a fairer academic environment.
Access scholarly knowledge anytime, anywhere! 📚
The One Nation One Subscription scheme ensures country-wide access to research articles and journals for all higher education and R&D institutions.
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— UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) November 30, 2024
ONOS is tailored to eliminate financial barriers to accessing high-quality research. Smaller and less-funded institutions, which often can’t afford expensive journal subscriptions, will benefit the most. By combining subscriptions under one system and using the Indian government’s bargaining power, ONOS will get better deals from international publishers, lower costs, and use resources more effectively.
Prof. Kumar added that this scheme ensures all institutions in India, big or small, have equal access to world-class research, allowing students and teachers to benefit regardless of their funding Beyond affordability, ONOS is designed to cultivate a robust research ecosystem in India. Access to a plethora of international journals will expose Indian learners to diverse perspectives, cutting-edge studies, and global trends.
Experts believe this exposure will significantly enhance critical thinking and analytical skills, vital for excelling in higher education, competitive exams, and professional fields. With a stronger foundation in research methodologies, students will be better equipped to pursue advanced education, secure scholarships, and compete in global job markets.
It will help students think critically and creatively, encouraging them to solve problems and address challenges in society and the world. ONOS also holds the promise of elevating India’s global standing in academic research. By equipping researchers with the tools to access and contribute to top-tier journals, the scheme aims to strengthen India’s voice in international academic dialogues.
Prof. Kumar said that creating a strong reputation for research around the world takes time. ONOS is the first step in this process, helping researchers produce good-quality work and take part in solving important global problems.
The initiative aligns with India’s vision to transform into a knowledge hub, supporting researchers in disciplines ranging from technology and medicine to social sciences and humanities. While the ONOS scheme is set to open new avenues, its success hinges on addressing key implementation challenges, particularly in tier-II and tier-III cities. Reliable internet connectivity and adequate IT infrastructure are critical for ensuring equitable access across India’s 6,300 institutions.
The government plans to utilise Common Service Centres (CSCs) to bridge the infrastructure gap, ensuring internet connectivity in remote areas. In addition, institutions will be provided with training and awareness programmes to familiarise students and faculty with the platform’s resources.
This initiative holds immense promise for India’s academic and research ecosystem:
Boosting Research Output: Free access to premium journals will empower researchers with critical resources, enhancing the quality and quantity of research publications.
Bridging Inequality: Students and institutions in underserved regions will gain equitable access to world-class knowledge.
Cost Savings: Researchers can save substantial funds previously spent on costly subscriptions.
Global Competitiveness: Increased access to knowledge will foster innovation and strengthen India’s position in global academic rankings.
A dedicated support system under the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre will handle user queries and monitor usage to identify disparities or challenges. Prof. Kumar expressed confidence that proactive planning and stakeholder collaboration will overcome these hurdles.
ONOS adheres to strict copyright laws and intellectual property rights. Access to journals will be provided under licensing agreements with publishers, ensuring compliance with ethical and legal standards. To address the language barrier often associated with international journals, ONOS will explore options for providing translated abstracts or summaries. Tools like Anuvadini and Bhashini will be promoted for quick translations, further widening access to research for non-English speakers.
The journals and publishers included in ONOS will be chosen based on their reputation, impact factor, and relevance across diverse disciplines. Only those adhering to ethical publishing practices and robust peer-review processes will be prioritised. ONOS will not replace Indian publications but will coexist with them, fostering a more holistic academic environment.
The financial relief ONOS offers to individual institutions is another significant advantage. By eliminating the need for separate subscriptions, institutions can allocate their funds to other critical areas, such as infrastructure development and faculty training.
As ONOS prepares for its rollout in 2025, stakeholders across academia have expressed optimism about its potential. Researchers and educators believe that the scheme will democratise knowledge, promote academic excellence, and inspire a new generation of critical thinkers and problem-solvers.
ONOS is a big step toward making quality education and research resources available to every Indian student as a basic right, not just a privilege.
As the countdown to January 2025 begins, ONOS is being hailed as a transformative initiative poised to reshape India’s academic landscape and empower its researchers to make a mark on the global stage.
