One Nation One Subscription: Empowering India’s Research Ecosystem

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

In Context

• The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative is a landmark step aimed at democratizing access to global scholarly knowledge in India. It aligns with the broader goals of NEP 2020 and ViksitBharat@2047.

Implementation of ONOS

• Role of INFLIBNET: The Information and Library Network Centre under UGC will centrally manage the subscription and distribution, ensuring seamless digital access to resources. A centralized platform will simplify access and reduce administrative burdens.

• Funding: A ₹6,000 crore budget has been allocated for the scheme’s first phase (2025–2027).
• Phase I (2025–2027): Establish the framework, provide access to research materials, and negotiate Article Processing Charges (APCs) for Indian researchers.

Benefits

• Democratization of Knowledge: Provides equitable access to international research resources across tier-2 and tier-3 cities, addressing regional disparities in research opportunities.
• Boosts Research Quality: Access to high-quality journals enhances research capabilities, enabling Indian researchers to contribute to cutting-edge global innovations.
• Cost Efficiency: Centralized funding reduces duplication of subscriptions by individual institutions, saving costs for HEIs and research centers.
• Discounts on Article Processing Charges (APCs) make publishing in high-impact journals more accessible.
• Fosters Collaboration: Integration with global research communities promotes interdisciplinary and international collaborations, elevating India’s global research footprint.
• Support for National Development: Enhances India’s R&D ecosystem, supporting innovation in critical areas like STEM, medicine, and social sciences, which are pivotal for economic growth and self-reliance.
• Improved Academic Infrastructure: Complements initiatives like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), creating a more robust research infrastructure.

Challenges

• Administrative Complexity: Coordinating access for 6,300 institutions with diverse needs may pose significant logistical and administrative challenges.
• Digital Divide: Effective utilization of digital resources may be hindered by infrastructure gaps in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, such as unreliable internet connectivity or lack of digital literacy.
• Limited Scope: The scheme covers only select international journals, and many researchers might still require access to resources not included in Phase I.
• Sustainability: Long-term funding for such a large-scale initiative requires careful planning to ensure it remains viable without compromising quality.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Measuring the actual impact of the initiative on research output and innovation can be challenging.
• Dependency on Global Publishers: Heavily relying on foreign publishers may limit India’s leverage in negotiations and could lead to higher costs over time.

Way Ahead

• Strengthen Infrastructure: Improve digital connectivity and provide training in digital resource usage for institutions in remote areas.
• Phase Expansion: Gradually expand ONOS to include more journals, databases, and even regional or Indian language resources to broaden access.
• Promote Open Access: Encourage Indian researchers to utilize Open Access (OA) platforms and build national repositories for sharing research outputs freely.
• Enhance Negotiation Leverage: Collaborate with other nations to negotiate better terms with publishers, including lower APCs and subscription costs.
• Focus on Research Outputs: Develop metrics to assess the impact of ONOS on research quality, innovation, and India’s global rankings in R&D.
• Support Regional Institutions: Provide additional resources for smaller or less-resourced institutions to make full use of ONOS benefits.
• Public Awareness and Training: Launch awareness campaigns and workshops for researchers, faculty, and students on maximizing the use of ONOS resources.

Source: PIB