The Union Cabinet's recent approval of the One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) scheme marks a transformative step toward democratizing access to scholarly knowledge in India. By focusing on equitable access to high-quality academic resources, ONOS aligns with India's broader vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 and the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The initiative consolidates journal subscriptions and offers centralized access to international research, bridging the digital divide, boosting research quality, and strengthening India's research and development (R&D) ecosystem.

Objectives and Implementation of ONOS

ONOS seeks to establish national licenses for e-journal and database subscriptions across fields like science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and social sciences. It aims to remove access barriers to high-quality research, particularly benefiting researchers and students in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

The scheme will be managed by the Information and Library Network Centre (INFLIBNET), an autonomous UGC body, which will provide seamless digital access to over 13,000 journals from 30 leading international publishers. A budget of ₹6,000 crore has been allocated for the first phase, covering 2025–2027, and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) will periodically review the scheme's impact on research output. Additionally, the Department of Higher Education (DHE) will develop a centralized portal for resource access and awareness campaigns through Information, Education, and

Communication (IEC) initiatives

Key Features of ONOS

ONOS introduces a centralized digital access system that makes academic materials available to over 6,300 institutions and 1.8 crore researchers, faculty, and students. It provides access to international journals from leading publishers such as Oxford University Press, Elsevier Science Direct, and Cambridge University Press, thereby fostering global research collaborations. Centralized funding reduces duplication of subscriptions and offers significant discounts on Article Processing Charges (APCs) for Indian researchers . Moreover, by enhancing the R&D ecosystem, ONOS supports innovation in critical sectors like healthcare, technology, and social sciences, contributing to national development.

Need for ONOS

Academic publishing is a lucrative industry, generating over $19 billion annually with profit margins up to 40%. However, the high costs of accessing journals and APCs have placed a significant financial strain on Indian researchers and institutions. For instance, Nature Communications charges $6,790 per paper.Subscription-based models restrict access to research, particularly for smaller institutions with limited budgets. ONOS aims to address these disparities by providing universal access to academic resources, ensuring equitable research opportunities.

Low-quality journals exploit researchers by charging publication fees without proper peer review, undermining research integrity. ONOS seeks to promote high-quality, peer-reviewed research by providing access to reputable journals. Researchers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities often lack access to international journals, limiting their ability to collaborate globally. ONOS democratizes access, ensuring equitable opportunities for all researchers across the nation.

Benefits of ONOS

The One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) initiative offers numerous benefits, primarily by democratizing knowledge across India. It provides equitable access to high-quality research resources, thus reducing regional disparities in research opportunities, particularly for students and researchers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

By enabling access to top-tier journals, ONOS enhances the quality of research as scholars can engage with the latest innovations and contribute to global knowledge. Additionally, the centralized subscription model lowers costs for educational institutions, allowing them to reallocate funds to other academic priorities. It also offers significant discounts on Article Processing Charges (APCs), making it easier for Indian researchers to publish in high-impact journals.

ONOS fosters interdisciplinary and international collaborations by integrating Indian researchers into global academic networks, thereby boosting India's research footprint.

Enhanced access to academic resources also supports innovation in crucial sectors such as STEM, medicine, and social sciences, contributing to national development and economic self-reliance.

Challenges and Concerns

Despite its promising benefits, ONOS faces several challenges. Coordinating access for over 6,300 institutions with varying needs presents considerable administrative complexity, the digital divide is a significant concern, as researchers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities may encounter difficulties in utilizing ONOS resources due to unreliable internet connectivity and limited digital literacy.

The scheme’s initial phase covers only select journals, potentially leaving gaps in niche fields and interdisciplinary research. Another major concern is sustainability; ensuring long-term funding and maintaining the quality of resources require careful financial planning.

The initiative’s heavy reliance on global publishers may limit India’s bargaining power and lead to higher costs in the future. Moreover, copyright issues arise as researchers often relinquish their copyright to publishers, allowing commercial use of their work without their consent. For example, Taylor & Francis allowed Microsoft to use its journals for AI training without requiring author approval, highlighting a potential ethical dilemma.

The Role of ANRF in Supporting ONOS

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), established under the 2023 Act, plays a crucial role in bolstering India’s R&D ecosystem by collaborating with academia, industry, and the government.

As the apex body for scientific research, ANRF fosters a robust research environment and aligns initiatives with the goals of NEP 2020 and national priorities.

One of its key programs, the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) initiative, encourages collaboration between top-ranked institutions (hubs) and emerging institutions (spokes). By facilitating such strategic partnerships, ANRF ensures that ONOS effectively enhances research quality and global collaboration, contributing to India's ambitions in R&D and innovation.

Way Forward

To maximize the potential of ONOS, several strategic measures are necessary. Improving digital connectivity in remote areas and offering training on using digital resources effectively will bridge the digital divide. Encouraging the use of Open Access platforms and supporting the development of national repositories will promote free access to Indian research outputs.

Expanding ONOS's scope by gradually including more journals, databases, and regional language resources can better cater to diverse research needs. India should also leverage its negotiation power by collaborating with other nations to secure favorable terms with publishers, ensuring lower APCs and subscription costs.

Special attention is needed for regional institutions by providing additional resources and training to maximize the benefits of ONOS. Monitoring and evaluating the initiative's impact through metrics that assess research output, innovation, and global R&D rankings will be crucial for its success.

Establishing long-term funding mechanisms and diversifying funding sources are essential for ensuring the initiative’s sustainability.

Conclusion

One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) represents a significant paradigm shift in India’s approach to academic publishing and research accessibility. By democratizing access to highquality scholarly resources, it addresses critical disparities in research opportunities and fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Although challenges like administrative complexity, digital divide, and dependency on global publishers persist, strategic reforms and sustained investments can ensure the initiative’s success.

As India aims to become a global leader in R&D and innovation, ONOS serves as a cornerstone for building a more inclusive, equitable, and knowledge-driven society. Through strategic implementation and continuous evaluation, ONOS can pave the way for India to achieve its vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, transforming the nation into a global research powerhouse.

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Reference: 

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx
• ONOS | India