The One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) initiative was launched on January 1 by the central government to provide world-class academic resources to government-funded higher education institutions in India. Benefiting over 1.8 crore students and researchers, ONOS will consolidate subscriptions to about 13,000 scholarly journals from 30 international publishers. This centralization aims to enhance research quality, empower institutions in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and democratize access to knowledge, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020's vision for research advancement.
On January 1, the central government proudly introduced the One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) initiative, aimed at providing world-class academic and research resources to all government-funded higher education institutions (HEIs) and research centers across India.
This groundbreaking scheme is set to benefit over 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers affiliated with prestigious institutions such as IITs, universities, and government-managed R&D centers. Approved by the Union Cabinet on November 25, 2024, ONOS is a significant stride towards fostering innovation and elevating research standards throughout the country.
The initiative's primary goal is to equip India’s academic and research communities with top-tier global resources, thereby encouraging innovation and improving research quality. "The goal is to equip India’s academic and research communities with the best global resources, fostering innovation and enhancing the quality of research," an official statement noted. By streamlining access to high-quality journals and research databases, ONOS seeks to dismantle the geographical and financial barriers that have previously limited equitable access to knowledge.
This unified platform will not only empower students and researchers in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities but will also bolster India’s research and development infrastructure.
ONOS consolidates subscriptions to a vast array of academic journals, providing free access to approximately 13,000 scholarly journals from 30 international publishers. This initiative is expected to benefit around 18 million students, researchers, and faculty members from government-supported higher education institutions, including the renowned Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
Currently, access to academic journals is fragmented, managed by ten separate library consortia across various ministries and individual institutional subscriptions. ONOS aims to centralize these subscriptions under one national platform, simplifying access to vital resources.
Coordinated by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous center under the University Grants Commission (UGC), the initiative has been allocated a budget of Rs 6,000 crore for its implementation during 2025-2027.
The ONOS initiative is poised to transform India’s academic and research landscape by addressing critical gaps and fostering a more inclusive and resource-rich environment. By providing comprehensive access to both national and international journal publications, the initiative ensures that all government higher education institutions can benefit from a centralized approach that eliminates redundant subscriptions and promotes efficiency.
This consolidation enhances the government's negotiating power with publishers, enabling it to secure better deals while significantly reducing public expenditure.
Moreover, ONOS will employ an analytics-driven strategy for resource management. By tracking journal usage patterns across institutions, decision-makers can allocate resources more effectively, thereby enhancing user experiences.
In addition, this initiative aims to democratize academic resources, bridging gaps for under-resourced institutions in rural and remote areas. This equalizes opportunities, allowing students and researchers from diverse backgrounds to access premium scholarly content.
The ONOS initiative is in harmony with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which identifies research as a crucial driver of educational and national advancement. The NEP envisions a robust enhancement of India’s research capabilities, positioning the nation as a global knowledge leader.
To support this vision, the government has established the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to oversee research funding and policy execution. A dedicated core committee, chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor, has successfully negotiated agreements with major international publishers, paving the way for ONOS to become a reality.
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