Transforming India’s Research Landscape
India has long been a cradle of knowledge and innovation. From ancient advancements in mathematics to modern breakthroughs in science, the country boasts a rich legacy of intellectual achievement. On August 15, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted this legacy during his address from the Red Fort. He emphasized the crucial role of Research and Development (R&D) in shaping India’s future, particularly during the transformative period known as Amrit Kaal. His inspiring call to action, encapsulated in the slogan “Jai Anusandhan,” urges the nation to focus on nurturing R&D capabilities.
The Vision Behind the ONOS Scheme
The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on November 25, 2024, aligns with the goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This policy recognizes research as a fundamental driver of educational excellence and national progress. The ONOS initiative aims to democratize access to knowledge by providing students, faculty, researchers, and scientists across government higher education institutions (HEIs) and central government R&D centers with access to international scholarly journals and articles.
The scheme is designed to break down barriers to knowledge, ensuring that all academic and research communities in India have access to the best global resources. By fostering innovation and enhancing the quality of research across various disciplines, ONOS aims to position India at the forefront of global innovation. This initiative is a cornerstone of India’s ambition to become a self-reliant and developed nation by 2047, as part of the Viksitbharat@2047 vision. Through ONOS, India is set to build on its rich legacy of knowledge and emerge as a leading global power driven by cutting-edge research and technological advancement.
Key Features of the ONOS Initiative
The ONOS scheme aims to provide eligible students, faculty, researchers, and scientists with access to over 13,000 scholarly journals from 30 major international publishers. This initiative will benefit approximately 1.8 crore individuals across various disciplines, including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Medicine, and Social Sciences.
One of the most significant aspects of the ONOS scheme is its commitment to inclusivity. It ensures that institutions in tier 2 and tier 3 cities have equitable access to high-quality research resources. This is crucial for advancing core and interdisciplinary research throughout the country. The scheme’s objectives include democratizing access to scholarly knowledge, promoting diverse institutions, and enhancing global research participation. By enabling Indian academic and research institutions to engage with international scholarly communities, ONOS aligns with the broader goals of Viksitbharat@2047.
Implementation and Financial Strategy
The ONOS initiative will be centrally coordinated by INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network), an autonomous inter-university center under the University Grants Commission (UGC). This organization will manage the distribution of digital access to the journals, ensuring a seamless experience for users. The entire subscription process will be digital, minimizing administrative complexities and providing on-demand access.
The government has allocated ₹6,000 crore for the ONOS initiative, covering the period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. This funding will cover subscription charges for all participating institutions and provide central funding support of ₹150 crore per year for authors to publish in selected high-quality Open Access (OA) journals. The first phase of ONOS will establish a framework to ensure that key research resources are available to a large number of institutions across India, ultimately enhancing the country’s academic and research excellence.
A New Era for Research in India
The One Nation One Subscription initiative represents a transformative step for India’s research ecosystem. By providing digital access to over 13,000 journals from 30 international publishers, ONOS aims to bridge gaps in research infrastructure across the country. Its phased implementation will significantly enhance India’s academic and research capabilities, fostering innovation and positioning the nation as a global hub for scientific research.
This initiative is part of a broader vision to transform knowledge access in India. As the first step in a multi-pronged approach, ONOS expands access through a subscription model while also promoting Indian journals and repositories. By democratizing knowledge dissemination, ONOS empowers a new generation of researchers and students, equipping them with the resources they need to excel in their fields.
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