In a historic move aimed at democratizing access to academic resources, the Indian government’s ambitious ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS) programme officially goes live today, January 1, 2025. This initiative is set to revolutionize higher education across the country by granting approximately 18 million students, researchers, and faculty members free access to a plethora of scholarly articles and high-end academic journals.
What is One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
The ‘One Nation One Subscription’ programme, approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2024, is designed to ensure that every student and researcher affiliated with government-funded institutions, including prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), can benefit from the wealth of global academic knowledge. The scheme has been allocated a substantial budget of ₹6000 crore for the three-year period spanning 2025 to 2027.
Under this scheme, students and faculty will gain access to at least 30 globally renowned academic journal publishers, encompassing nearly 13,000 e-journals. The access process has been meticulously streamlined to be entirely digital and user-friendly. A unified portal, managed by the Department of Higher Education, will serve as the gateway to this treasure trove of knowledge.
The programme is being coordinated by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous inter-university center under the University Grants Commission (UGC). INFLIBNET will oversee the integration of academic institutions into the unified portal, ensuring seamless access for all stakeholders. This centralization will benefit over 6,300 institutions, translating into a staggering 1.8 crore users across India.
How ONOS works?
The unified portal is designed with simplicity in mind. Students, researchers, and faculty members can log in using institutional credentials to explore a vast library of academic resources. The portal is set to redefine academic research by providing a single platform where users can access international journals without the burden of individual subscriptions.
To ensure the programme’s efficacy, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) will periodically evaluate the usage of the portal. These reviews will focus on user engagement metrics and the publication output of Indian researchers. Such evaluations will help optimize the programme’s offerings and address any gaps in access or functionality.
Thirty major international journal publishers have partnered with the Indian government under ONOS. This collaboration ensures that a wide range of disciplines, from engineering and medicine to social sciences and humanities, are covered. By bridging the gap between Indian academia and global research, ONOS aims to elevate the quality of education and research in the country.
Benefits of One Nation One Subscription
The programme provides unprecedented opportunities for students and researchers in government-funded institutions. With access to high-quality academic resources, they can now: Conduct in-depth research without financial constraints. Stay updated with the latest developments in their fields and publish more impactful studies by leveraging top-tier references.
India’s academic and research landscape is poised for a significant transformation. The free access to international journals will: Encourage collaborative research projects, Improve the quality of papers published by Indian researchers and Enhance India’s standing in global research rankings. For years, access to high-end journals has been limited due to exorbitant subscription fees. ONOS eliminates this barrier, ensuring equitable access to academic resources for students and researchers from all economic backgrounds.
Ensuring that all institutions have the necessary digital infrastructure to leverage the unified portal is a significant hurdle. Institutions in remote or underdeveloped areas may require additional support to fully benefit from the programme.Encouraging consistent use of the portal among students and researchers is crucial. Awareness campaigns and training sessions will be needed to familiarize users with the platform’s features. Although the ANRF’s periodic reviews are a positive step, establishing robust feedback mechanisms will be essential to address user concerns promptly.
Future Prospects for One Nation One Subscription
The success of the ‘One Nation One Subscription’ programme could set a precedent for similar initiatives worldwide. By breaking down barriers to knowledge, ONOS paves the way for a more inclusive and equitable academic ecosystem. The government’s commitment to fostering a culture of research and innovation through such initiatives is commendable.
Experts suggest that the programme could eventually be expanded to include private institutions and independent researchers. Such an expansion would further democratize access to knowledge and amplify the programme’s impact. The success of ONOS could also inspire a greater push toward open-access publishing models. By demonstrating the benefits of widespread access to academic resources, the programme may encourage publishers to explore more accessible pricing structures.
The launch of the ‘One Nation One Subscription’ programme marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward academic excellence. By providing free access to world-class journals, the government has empowered millions of students, researchers, and faculty members to pursue their academic and professional goals without limitations. While challenges remain, the potential benefits far outweigh the hurdles, making ONOS a game-changer for Indian academia. As the programme unfolds, it is set to redefine the future of education and research in India, bridging the gap between ambition and access.
