One Nation One Subscription:

One Nation One Subscription:

Context

The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative is a transformative step aimed at democratizing access to global scholarly knowledge for researchers and students across India. The initiative is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the ViksitBharat@2047 vision, which collectively strive to enhance India’s research and educational ecosystem by making high-quality knowledge accessible to all, irrespective of geographical location.

Implementation of ONOS

• Role of INFLIBNET:

  • The Information and Library Network Centre (INFLIBNET) under the University Grants Commission (UGC) will centrally manage the subscription and distribution of research resources.

  • The platform will streamline the digital access process, reducing administrative complexities for educational and research institutions across the country.

• Funding:

  • A significant ₹6,000 crore budget has been allocated for the first phase (2025–2027) of ONOS, aimed at setting up the framework, providing access to global research materials, and negotiating Article Processing Charges (APCs) to make publication more affordable for Indian researchers.

Benefits of ONOS

1. Democratization of Knowledge:

   • ONOS will ensure equitable access to high-quality international research journals for universities and research institutions, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, addressing regional disparities in research opportunities.

2. Boosts Research Quality:

   • By providing access to premium global journals, ONOS will elevate the research capabilities of Indian institutions, enabling researchers to contribute to cutting-edge global innovations.

3. Cost Efficiency:

   • The centralized funding model will eliminate the duplication of subscriptions across institutions, resulting in significant cost savings for higher education institutions (HEIs) and research centers.

   • Discounts on Article Processing Charges (APCs) will make publishing in high-impact journals more accessible to Indian researchers.

4. Fosters Collaboration:

   • ONOS will integrate India’s research ecosystem with global research communities, promoting interdisciplinary and international collaborations, thereby enhancing India’s global research footprint.

5. Support for National Development:

   • The initiative will bolster India’s R&D ecosystem, supporting innovation in crucial sectors like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), medicine, and social sciences, contributing to India’s economic growth and self-reliance.

6. Improved Academic Infrastructure:

   • ONOS complements other initiatives like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which is designed to strengthen India's research infrastructure and make it more robust.

Challenges

1. Administrative Complexity:

   • Coordinating access for over 6,300 institutions with diverse needs poses a significant logistical challenge, requiring sophisticated management systems.

2. Digital Divide:

   • Infrastructure gaps in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, such as unreliable internet connectivity and lack of digital literacy, may hinder the effective utilization of ONOS resources in these regions.

3. Limited Scope:

   • Phase I of the initiative will cover a select number of international journals, which might leave gaps in access for researchers who need resources outside this limited scope.

4. Sustainability:

   • The long-term viability of the initiative will depend on effective funding strategies to ensure that it remains sustainable without compromising the quality of research resources.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation:

   • Assessing the real impact of ONOS on research output and innovation can be challenging, making it difficult to measure the success of the initiative over time.

6. Dependency on Global Publishers:

   • The scheme's reliance on foreign publishers may limit India’s leverage in negotiations, potentially leading to higher subscription costs and APCs in the future.

Way Ahead

1. Strengthen Infrastructure:

   • Focus on improving digital connectivity in remote areas and provide training to researchers and institutions on the effective use of ONOS resources.

2. Phase Expansion:

   • As the program progresses, expand the scope of ONOS to include more journals, research databases, and even resources in regional or Indian languages, ensuring broader access.

3. Promote Open Access:

   • Encourage Indian researchers to use Open Access (OA) platforms and develop national repositories to share research freely, thus reducing dependency on paywalled resources.

4. Enhance Negotiation Leverage:

   • India should collaborate with other countries to negotiate better subscription terms with global publishers, including lower APCs and more favorable licensing terms.

5. Focus on Research Outputs:

   • Develop clear metrics to assess how ONOS is impacting research quality, innovation, and India's standing in global R&D rankings.

6. Support Regional Institutions:

   • Provide additional resources and support for smaller or resource-constrained institutions to ensure they can fully benefit from ONOS.

7. Public Awareness and Training:

   • Launch awareness campaigns and training workshops for researchers, faculty, and students to help them maximize the benefits of ONOS, ensuring effective use of the resources provided.

Conclusion

The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative is a transformative project that holds the potential to revolutionize India’s research landscape. By providing equitable access to high-quality global research, fostering collaboration, and making the publication process more affordable, ONOS can empower researchers, enhance academic infrastructure, and support India’s vision of becoming a global hub for innovation and research. However, addressing the challenges related to digital infrastructure, administrative complexity, and sustainability will be key to the initiative's long-term success.