The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS) scheme, aiming to provide nationwide access to scholarly research articles and journals. The initiative, allocated Rs 6,000 crore over three years (2025–2027), is a step forward in advancing India’s education and research ecosystem in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), and the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
What is One Nation One Subscription?
The ONOS scheme ensures universal access to high-impact international scholarly research for students, faculty, and researchers across India. Beneficiaries will include:
– 1.8 crore students, faculty, researchers, and scientists
– 6,300 government higher education institutions
– Central government research and development (R&D) institutions
Access will be granted through a digital subscription platform managed by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous UGC body.
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Key Features of the ONOS Scheme
- Broad Access to Journals:
– Covers approximately 13,000 e-journals from 30 major international publishers.
– Benefits institutions under both central and state governments.
- Streamlined Digital Process:
– Institutions will access journals through a unified portal developed by the Department of Higher Education.
– The process will be simple, user-friendly, and entirely digital.
- State Campaigns:
– State governments will be encouraged to promote the initiative, maximizing its usage among eligible institutions.
- Funding:
– Rs 6,000 crore allocated for three calendar years (2025, 2026, and 2027).
Benefits of the ONOS Scheme
– Enhanced Research Quality: Access to global journals will strengthen academic research, innovation, and collaboration across disciplines.
– Empowering Students and Researchers: The scheme bridges the gap in access to expensive scholarly publications, making research more inclusive and equitable.
– Support for Higher Education and R&D: Encourages research output from Indian institutions, boosting India’s global academic standing.
– Ease of Access: Simplified and centralized digital processes ensure seamless accessibility for all stakeholders.
Alignment with National Goals
The ONOS scheme reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a robust research culture in India. By aligning with NEP 2020 and ANRF, it emphasizes inclusive education, innovation, and the long-term goal of transforming India into a global knowledge superpower by 2047.
This landmark move is set to democratize access to knowledge, empowering students, researchers, and scientists to contribute meaningfully to the global academic landscape.
