Syllabus :GS2/Governance
In News
- The Delhi High Court has ordered authorities to block access to so-called online shadow libraries Sci-Hub, Sci-Net and their mirror domains, in a copyright infringement case.
About
- Sci-Hub (founded in 2011 by Alexandra Elbakyan (Kazakhstan)), despite being illegal, has been a crucial resource for many researchers lacking affordable access to scientific papers due to expensive journal subscriptions.
- Against this backdrop, the government’s One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) scheme is being positioned as a legitimate alternative to piracy-driven access.
One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) Scheme
- Launch: 2024 (Phase-I operational 2023–26).
- Budget: ₹6,000 crore.
- Implementing agencies:
- INFLIBNET (UGC body) – manages digital access.
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) – monitors usage and publications.
- Coverage:
- Phase I: Public universities and research institutions.
- Phase II: Private institutions and colleges.
- Scope: Access to 13,000 journals from 30 publishers (Oxford, Cambridge, Elsevier, Lancet etc.).
- Objective:
- Ensure universal, legal access to research material.
- Reduce dependence on piracy.
- Lower financial burden on researchers who otherwise pay heavy Article Processing Charges (APCs).
Benefits of ONOS
- Equitable Access: Researchers across Tier-1 to Tier-3 institutions gain equal access.
- Boost to Research Quality: Ensures publications in high-impact journals.
- Global Collaboration: Removes barriers for Indian scholars to engage internationally.
- Cost Efficiency: Centralised subscription reduces duplication of expenditure by institutions.
- Innovation Ecosystem: Supports startups, industry R&D, and policy-making with high-quality knowledge access.
Challenges & Concerns
- Negotiation with Publishers: High bargaining power required to secure favorable terms.
- Predatory Journals’ Persistence: ONOS cannot fully eliminate the lure of easy publication.
- Awareness Gap: Researchers in smaller colleges may need training to use these resources effectively.
Why This Debate Matters for India?
- Equity in Research Access: Only elite institutions afford high-cost journal subscriptions.
- Smaller colleges depend on illegal access. ONOS aims to bridge this gap.
- Financial Sustainability: Indian researchers spent ₹380 crore (2021) on APCs for publishing in open-access journals.
- Sci-Hub offered a free workaround but raised IPR concerns. ONOS offers a state-led solution.
Source: TH
