1. Introduction: Transforming India's Knowledge Economy
The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative, launched by the Government of India and scheduled to be implemented from January 1, 2025, is a transformative step in India's journey towards becoming a knowledge-based economy. It seeks to democratise access to global academic knowledge by providing centralised, subscription-based access to over 13,000 high-quality e-journals from 30 major international publishers.
This initiative is not merely a policy reform in academic publishing access; it is a social and economic equaliser, a technological enabler, and a strategic move to empower over 1.8 crore researchers, faculty, and students across 6,300+ Government-funded institutions in India.
2. Background: Why ONOS Was Necessary
a. Knowledge as a Catalyst for Development
Knowledge has always been a dual tool:
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Individually, it empowers people to uplift their socio-economic status.
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Collectively, it accelerates innovation, national development, and problem-solving.
However, access to that knowledge in India has historically been fragmented, expensive, and unequal—particularly disadvantaging Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and rural educational institutions.
3. The Vision of ONOS
ONOS represents a commitment to:
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Democratising access to academic resources
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Ensuring inclusivity in education and research
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Fostering interdisciplinary innovation
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Bridging socio-economic gaps
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Strengthening India’s global research footprint
It aims to convert knowledge into a public good, moving toward Open Access in the long run.
4. Key Objectives of ONOS
| Objective | Description |
|---|---|
| Inclusivity | Equal access to resources for urban and rural institutions alike |
| Affordability | Reduced subscription costs through collective negotiation |
| Innovation | Promotes research and development (R&D) and interdisciplinary work |
| Skill Development | Helps job seekers with competitive exams and skill enhancement |
| Global Integration | Enhances India's presence in international research and academia |
5. Salient Features of the ONOS Scheme
a. Centralised Access via Unified Portal
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Managed by Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) under University Grants Commission (UGC)
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A single-point digital platform for all e-journals
b. Financial Commitment
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₹6,000 crore allocated for three years (2025–2027)
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Achieves cost-efficiency through bulk negotiations
c. Inclusive and Equitable Access
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Benefits Government-run Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Research and Development (R&D) institutions
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Caters to 1.8 crore students, researchers, and faculty
d. Global Journal Access
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Includes publishers like:
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Elsevier
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Springer Nature
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Wiley
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Taylor & Francis
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6. Social Impact: Empowering the Marginalised
ONOS eliminates the urban-rural knowledge divide by enabling tier-2 and tier-3 institutions to access premium academic content, thereby:
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Empowering underserved communities
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Creating equal academic opportunities
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Promoting upward social mobility
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Addressing regional educational disparities
7. Economic Impact: Building a Knowledge-Driven Economy
India’s aspirations for a knowledge-based economy are directly supported by ONOS, which:
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Strengthens intellectual capital
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Drives innovation in sectors like biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and clean energy
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Fuels entrepreneurship and industry-academia collaboration
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Supports startups, research parks, and incubation centres
8. Benefits for Competitive Exam Aspirants
ONOS bridges the gap between academic knowledge and competitive exam preparation for various sectors:
| Sector | Relevant Exams | How ONOS Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Services | UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) | Deepens conceptual clarity |
| Defence | National Defence Academy (NDA), CDS | Updates on global defence trends |
| Engineering | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), Engineering Services Examination (ESE) | Access to latest engineering research |
| Medical | NEET-PG, AIIMS PG | Latest updates in medical science |
| Banking & Finance | IBPS, RBI Grade B, SEBI | In-depth financial analysis resources |
| Teaching | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET), State TETs | Modern pedagogical tools |
| Law | Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), Judicial Exams | International legal journals |
9. Academic and Global Recognition
ONOS promotes:
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Academic excellence
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Increased research output and citations
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Visibility of Indian scholarship on international platforms
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Global collaborations and co-authored papers
10. Boosting Local Publishing Ecosystem
ONOS encourages:
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Partnerships between global and Indian publishers
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Development of regional journals
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Capacity building in Indian editorial and publishing systems
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Visibility for local innovations and issues
11. Transitioning Toward Open Access
While currently subscription-based, ONOS lays the groundwork for:
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Open Access publishing
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Negotiations on reducing Article Processing Charges (APCs)
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Long-term affordability and sustainability
12. Challenges and Strategic Solutions
| Challenge | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Complex publisher negotiations | Centralised bargaining by INFLIBNET |
| Diverse institutional needs | Adaptive policies through Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) |
| Digital infrastructure & access | Unified portal with seamless navigation |
| Moving toward Open Access | Policy roadmap and incentives for open publishing |
13. Advantages for International Publishers
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Market Expansion | Access to over 1.8 crore users |
| Increased Impact | Boost in citations and readership |
| Partnership Opportunities | Joint ventures with Indian institutions |
| Financial Stability | Assured revenue through bulk subscriptions |
| Policy Influence | Participation in India's education reform |
| Feedback-driven Growth | Platform includes mechanisms for real-time user feedback |
14. The Road Ahead: ONOS as a Global Model
The ONOS scheme serves as a model for other nations seeking to:
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Make knowledge a public good
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Promote equitable education
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Reduce dependency on expensive academic subscriptions
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Ensure inclusive and resilient research ecosystems
15. Conclusion: A Visionary Step Forward
The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme is not just a policy; it is a commitment to equity, inclusion, and innovation. By removing barriers to information and empowering every learner, researcher, and institution in India, ONOS is poised to:
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Redefine academic access
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Strengthen India’s position in the global knowledge economy
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Foster a future-ready, well-informed society
Its long-term impact will be measured not only in research metrics and academic rankings but also in human development, societal transformation, and economic resilience.