One Nation One Subscription (ONOS): India’s Digital Revolution in Research Access

Breaking Barriers in Academic Access

One Nation One Subscription (ONOS): India’s Digital Revolution in Research Access: On November 25, 2024, the Indian government introduced a groundbreaking initiative—One Nation One Subscription (ONOS). This scheme aims to give free, equal access to over 13,000 international scholarly journals to all public colleges, universities, and research institutions across the country. From a student in rural Bihar to a researcher in IIT Madras, everyone will now get levelled access to world-class academic content.

Why ONOS Is a Game-Changer

For years, access to journals from leading publishers like Elsevier or Springer was a costly privilege limited to elite institutes. Many smaller colleges couldn’t afford subscriptions, leaving students with outdated resources. ONOS fixes this by centrally funding access so no institution has to pay individually. It’s a bold move toward equal opportunity in education.

The ONOS policy ensures that 1.8 crore users, including students, professors, and researchers across disciplines—from medicine to humanities—can benefit. Now, even a Tier-3 college in Chhattisgarh can access the same cutting-edge research as an IIM or AIIMS.

Seamless, Centralised Access via INFLIBNET

The scheme will be managed by INFLIBNET, an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission (UGC). Users can access journals directly via digital platforms—no paperwork, no approval delays, just login and start reading. It’s simple, efficient, and designed to work across devices—from desktops to mobiles.

Big Budget, Bigger Vision

The government has backed ONOS with a massive ₹6,000 crore fund for 2025–2027. This amount covers all subscription costs, ensuring colleges and research centres don’t face financial hurdles. An additional ₹150 crore per year has also been set aside to pay Article Processing Charges (APCs) for researchers publishing in global open-access journals—giving Indian research a global platform.

Launch Timeline and Rollout Plan

Phase I of ONOS begins on January 1, 2025, covering 6,300+ public institutions. Along with journal access, the scheme will start funding Indian scholars to publish in high-impact journals. This ensures that India isn’t just consuming knowledge—it’s contributing back to global academia.

Linked to India’s Bigger Research Goals

ONOS is part of ViksitBharat@2047, India’s vision to become an innovation powerhouse by its 100th independence anniversary. It also complements the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which supports advanced research. Together, these efforts aim to boost India’s knowledge economy and create a strong academic ecosystem.

Real-World Change: From Assam to Harvard Standards

Imagine a zoology student in Assam reading the same marine biology paper as a Harvard student—on the same day, without cost. Or a government school professor accessing journals on AI or climate change to teach the next generation. That’s the power of ONOS: equal information, equal chance to grow.

STATIC GK SNAPSHOT FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS

One Nation One Subscription (ONOS): India’s Digital Revolution in Research Access: