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New Delhi, November 26, 2024 – In a landmark decision to revolutionize access to academic resources, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the “One Nation One Subscription” (ONOS) scheme. This initiative aims to provide nationwide access to international, high-impact scholarly journals and research articles to students, faculty, and researchers in government-managed Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Research & Development (R&D) institutions.
The decision aligns with the Prime Minister’s call for “Jai Anusandhan” during his Independence Day address on August 15, 2022, and supports the goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). ONOS is also seen as a vital step toward achieving the vision of a self-reliant, developed India (Viksit Bharat@2047).
Key Features of ONOS
- Nationwide Access: ONOS will benefit approximately 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers across more than 6,300 government HEIs and R&D institutions.
- Global Knowledge Hub: Access will be provided to nearly 13,000 e-journals published by 30 major international publishers, fostering interdisciplinary and core research across disciplines.
- Digital Accessibility: Coordinated by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous inter-university center under the University Grants Commission (UGC), the subscription process will be entirely digital.
- Substantial Investment: The government has allocated ₹6,000 crore for the scheme, covering three years—2025, 2026, and 2027.
Driving Research Across All Regions
This initiative is set to democratize access to premium academic resources, especially benefiting researchers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities who previously faced barriers to accessing quality content. By enhancing ease of doing research, ONOS aims to integrate India more prominently into the global research ecosystem.
Implementation and Monitoring
The Department of Higher Education (DHE) will oversee the implementation of ONOS through a unified portal, simplifying access for eligible institutions. State governments and central agencies will run awareness campaigns to maximize the scheme’s reach and impact. The ANRF will periodically monitor the usage and contributions of Indian authors to ensure optimal utilization.
A Boost to India’s Research Landscape
ONOS complements the ANRF’s broader mission to foster a robust research culture in India. By providing seamless access to top-tier journals, the scheme is expected to catalyze innovations and elevate India’s standing in global academia.
The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to empowering researchers and building a knowledge-driven economy. It marks a significant step toward achieving India’s aspiration of becoming a global leader in research and development by 2047.
