'One Nation One Subscription' will strengthen research, teaching, and knowledge efforts

Dr. Satyawan Saurabh *

The One Nation One Subscription scheme, approved by the Government of India, aims to provide nationwide access to over 13,000 scholarly journals for students, teachers, and researchers in higher education institutions. With a budget of Rs 6,000 crores for 2025-2027, it seeks to promote research and innovation across the country.

The “One Nation One Subscription” (ONOS) scheme approved by the Union Cabinet is a transformational initiative aimed at providing universal access to international scholarly research articles and journals to all higher education institutions (HEIs) and research & development (R&D) institutions managed by the government. This is in line with the broader vision of promoting a robust research culture in India and realizing the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Developed India@2047.

A single authority manages everything so you don't have to subscribe to multiple platforms. A single subscription gives you access to all the content and services you need, simplifying your experience and saving you time and effort. This is a new initiative of the central government designed to ensure nationwide access to scholarly research articles and journal publications.

The One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) Scheme is a flagship initiative approved by the Government of India, aimed at increasing access to scholarly research articles and journal publications across the country. The scheme is designed to democratize access to academic resources for students, teachers, and researchers in higher education institutions, particularly benefiting those living in underprivileged areas. An integrated portal will be established for easy access to these resources, streamlining the current fragmented subscription model used by different institutions.

The scheme will provide seamless access to over 13,000 journals published by 30 international publishers through a single platform. The One Nation One Subscription Scheme approved by the Government of India aims to provide nationwide access to over 13,000 scholarly journals for students, teachers, and researchers in higher education institutions. With a budget of Rs 6,000 crore for 2025-2027, it seeks to promote research and innovation across the country. It is a new initiative of the central government designed to ensure nationwide access to scholarly research articles and journal publications.

The scheme is designed to democratize access to academic resources for students, teachers, and researchers in higher education institutions, particularly benefiting those living in underprivileged areas. An integrated portal will be established for easy access to these resources, thereby streamlining the current fragmented subscription model used by different institutions. The scheme will provide seamless access to over 13,000 journals published by 30 international publishers through a single platform.

Potential impact on India's R&D ecosystem ONOS ensures access to international scholarly resources for over 1.8 crore students, teachers, and researchers in 6,300 government institutions, including tier-2 and tier-3 cities. By removing cost barriers, the scheme enables researchers from less funded and rural institutions to access high-quality global research, thereby promoting inclusive growth in the R&D landscape.

Free access to high-impact journals is expected to improve the quantity and quality of publications by Indian researchers, thereby enhancing India's global scientific reputation. ONOS complements the National Research Foundation (ANRF) by expanding access to research resources, thereby promoting a culture of innovation and R&D in government-funded institutions.

ONOS aligns with NEP's focus on quality education and equitable access to resources, fostering a research-driven academic environment. By promoting access to resources across disciplines, it supports NEP's call for multidisciplinary education and research. ONOS fulfills NEP's objective of building a strong research base through ANRF, enabling global competitiveness.

The scheme strengthens India's intellectual capabilities, which are essential to achieving economic self-reliance and global leadership in R&D. Enhanced access to research resources drives innovation, supporting the vision of a technologically advanced India by 2047. ONOS promotes social and regional equity by ensuring that no researcher is left behind, regardless of their geographic or institutional background.

The One Nation One Subscription Scheme is a landmark initiative with the potential to revolutionize India's R&D ecosystem. The 'One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)' scheme will significantly benefit students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of India by increasing access to quality academic resources. By providing access to over 13,000 academic journals from various international publishers, the scheme democratizes access to high-quality research content, which was previously difficult to obtain due to financial constraints or lack of institutional subscription.

This initiative helps level the playing field between urban and rural institutions and ensures that students from smaller towns have access to the same resources as their classmates from metropolitan areas.