In a groundbreaking move, India has introduced the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, set to revolutionize access to scientific knowledge and position the country as a global leader in research and innovation. Launching on January 1, 2025, this initiative will provide free access to millions of scholarly journals and articles to over 1.8 crore students, researchers, and faculty members from more than 6,300 higher education and research institutions across the country.

India was the third-largest producer of research papers globally last year, however, many of the students could not access those papers due to the financial strains on their instutions and their inability to afford the journals in which they appear. The Indian government has allocated 6,000 crore ($715 million) over three years to secure access from 30 leading global publishers, including Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley.

This deal is the worlds largest national-level subscription initiative, eclipsing previous agreements in countries like Germany and the UK, which negotiated with individual publishers. “India got a good deal,” remarked Devika Madalli, director of the Information and Library Network Centre (INFLIBNET), the agency coordinating the effort.

The ONOS scheme aims to bridge the knowledge gap between premier institutions and those in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, enabling students and researchers from underserved regions to access cutting-edge research. This aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), and the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, which emphasizes fostering a culture of innovation and research across the nation.

The scheme will be managed through a unified, fully digital portal under the Department of Higher Education (DHE). Institutions can seamlessly access journals and articles, ensuring ease of use and transparency. The government has also planned robust Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns to maximize awareness and utilization.

While ONOS has been lauded for its inclusivity and scope, some critics argue that it perpetuates dependence on traditional subscription models. Globally, there is a shift toward open-access publishing, where research articles are freely available without subscriptions or author fees. Proponents of ONOS, however, highlight its unprecedented reach and argue that it lays a foundation for a knowledge economy, especially in a country with a vast population and diverse educational needs.

ONOS builds on the governments decade-long push for quality education and research. By democratizing access to scholarly literature, the scheme will foster interdisciplinary studies, drive innovation, and enhance Indias contributions to global science. As the ANRF periodically reviews its impact, the scheme is expected to bolster Indias standing in the global academic community.