The Government of Bharat has unveiled the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme. This landmark initiative is designed to democratise access to knowledge, enabling millions of students, researchers, and academicians across the country to benefit from comprehensive access to scholarly resources. With its potential to bridge significant gaps in resource availability, ONOS stands as a bold step towards creating a knowledge-driven society.
ONOS is set to revolutionise the way Bharat’s institutions access academic journals. Under this scheme, 1.8 crore registered users from over 6,300 government academic and R&D institutions — including central and state public universities — will gain unrestricted access to all journals from 30 global publishers. This includes a staggering 13,400 journals, offering unparalleled research support to students and faculty members alike.
The scheme addresses a long-standing issue in Bharat’s academia: the fragmented and unequal access to knowledge resources. Previously, only 2,360 institutions subscribed to approximately 8,000 journals, with the selection often dictated by individual budgets and priorities. Many state public universities, constrained by limited funds, were unable to afford even a fraction of these subscriptions. ONOS levels this playing field, ensuring that every institution, regardless of its financial standing, can access a comprehensive suite of scholarly resources.
While ONOS promises transformative change, it has also prompted several questions and concerns. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the critical issues raised:
1. Loss of Institutional Discretion
Critics argue that the scheme curtails the autonomy of institutions to choose journals that cater to their specific needs. However, ONOS effectively addresses this by providing access to 95 per cent of required journals through its selection of 30 publishers. Institutions retain the freedom to subscribe to additional resources not covered under ONOS, ensuring that unique requirements can still be met.
2. Are 30 Publishers Enough?
The scheme’s reliance on journals from 30 publishers has raised questions about adequacy. However, these publishers account for nearly all the critical research journals in various fields, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Moreover, institutions can supplement ONOS with other subscriptions if required, maintaining flexibility.
3. Budget Reallocation and Duplication
To optimise resources, institutions’ budgets for journal subscriptions will now be redirected to ONOS. This centralised funding approach eliminates duplication and ensures efficient allocation of resources. Institutions have been instructed not to continue their existing subscriptions for journals included in ONOS, starting January 2025.
4. Inclusion of Private Institutions
Currently, ONOS focuses exclusively on public institutions. However, the government plans to include private institutions in the next phase, potentially through a public-private partnership model. This move will further expand the reach and impact of the scheme.
Access to the ONOS resources will be facilitated through INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network), ensuring seamless integration into the existing academic infrastructure. This digital platform will serve as the gateway for students and researchers to explore the extensive library of journals, making the process user-friendly and efficient.
One significant concern raised is the perceived lack of focus on Bharat’s journals. The government has clarified that this is not a choice between global and Bharat’s journals. Efforts to strengthen Bharat’s publications continue alongside ONOS. Journals published by institutions such as the Indian National Science Academy, Indian Academy of Sciences, CSIR, and ICMR already receive substantial government funding and are freely available to researchers.
Another key aspect of ONOS is its pilot provision for Article Processing Charges (APCs), with an allocation of Rs 150 crore. This initiative aims to promote open-access publishing, complementing the subscription model and further empowering researchers to disseminate their work globally without financial barriers. Subsequent phases of ONOS are expected to expand support for APCs, reinforcing Bharat’s commitment to open knowledge.
The rollout of ONOS marks the beginning of a new era for academic research in Bharat. As the scheme evolves, it is expected to:
- Expand coverage to include private institutions.
- Strengthen Bharat’s journals and promote their global visibility.
- Increase support for open-access publishing and APCs.
ONOS is more than just a subscription model; it represents a vision for Bharat’s research future. By ensuring equitable access to high-quality resources, the scheme addresses systemic inequalities and fosters a culture of innovation and inquiry. Researchers in underfunded institutions, particularly in state universities, now have access to the same resources as their counterparts in premier institutions like IITs and central universities.
