Union Cabinet Approves ‘One Nation One Subscription’ Scheme: Key Details Explained

In a landmark move to revolutionize access to academic resources, the Indian government has introduced the ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS) scheme on November 25, 2024. Approved by the Union Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this visionary initiative aims to provide universal access to high-quality research articles, journals, and educational resources for students, researchers, and institutions nationwide. By breaking barriers to scholarly knowledge, ONOS is set to empower India’s academic and research communities, fostering innovation and inclusive growth.

The Origin of One Nation One Subscription

On August 15, 2022, during his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of research and development for India’s progress, calling for a focus on innovation with the slogan “Jai Anusandhan.” In line with this vision, the government has launched the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative, with ₹6,000 crore allocated for three years (2025-2027). This scheme aims to provide easy access to high-quality international research articles and journals for students, teachers, and researchers in government-run universities and research institutions.

The program will be managed digitally by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), a center under the University Grants Commission (UGC). ONOS supports India’s goals of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) by promoting research and innovation nationwide. The scheme will be accessible in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities of the country. A core committee of secretaries, chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor, formed a cost negotiation panel to negotiate with journal publishers. By providing access to quality resources, ONOS seeks to encourage research excellence and innovation across disciplines. It is designed to foster inclusivity, support high-quality education, and strengthen India’s global research standing.

Benefits of ONOS:

• Improved Learning Opportunities: Students from economically weaker sections and smaller towns will gain access to resources previously unaffordable for many institutions.
  
• Reduced Costs: Institutions can save on individual subscription costs for journals, making it more economical for the education sector.
  
• Boost to Research and Development: Enhanced access to cutting-edge research can foster innovation and collaboration among Indian researchers on a global scale.

Key Features of the ‘One Nation One Subscription’ Scheme:

1) Over 13,000 e-journals from 30 major international publishers will be made available to more than 6,300 government higher education institutions and central government R&D institutions across India.

2) The scheme will operate through a fully digital and user-friendly process for seamless access to resources.

3) A budget of approximately ₹6,000 crore has been allocated for the scheme, covering the years 2025, 2026, and 2027.

4) The scheme will be coordinated via a national subscription managed by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous inter-university center under the University Grants Commission (UGC). Institutions can access resources through a unified portal called One Nation One Subscription, managed by the Department of Higher Education.

5) State governments will be encouraged to promote the scheme, ensuring maximum usage by students, faculty, and researchers across government institutions.

6) The initiative includes collaborations with 30 major international journal publishers to ensure comprehensive access to global academic resources. A few major ones include Oxford University Press, American Society for Microbiology, Elsevier ScienceDirect, Sage Publishing, Cambridge University Press, Indianjournals.com, SPIE digital library and more!

Campaigns To boost awareness and access

The Department of Higher Education, along with other ministries managing HEIs and R&D institutions, will actively run Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns to raise awareness about the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative. These campaigns will guide students, faculty, and researchers on how to access the resources under ONOS, aiming to maximize usage nationwide. Additionally, state governments will be encouraged to organize similar efforts at their level to ensure the facility benefits all government institutions, according to an official statement.

In conclusion, the ONOS initiative supports India’s vision of becoming a global knowledge leader. By promoting inclusivity in education and enhancing research opportunities, the scheme takes a significant step toward fostering innovation and intellectual development across all sections of society.