The Government of India has launched the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, aimed at revolutionizing access to academic and research journals in higher education institutions. With a significant budget and a unified digital platform, this initiative is set to enhance the country’s research capabilities and promote innovation.
What is the One Nation One Subscription Scheme?
The One Nation One Subscription scheme is a central sector initiative designed to provide easy access to academic journals for eligible institutions, students, and researchers. The scheme will give access to nearly 13,000 national and international scholarly journals from 30 prominent publishers through a single digital portal, thereby eliminating the need for institutions to subscribe individually.
Key Features of ONOS
Unified Digital Platform
A centralized digital portal, One Nation One Subscription, will serve as a gateway for accessing journals.
- Launch Date: 1 January 2025.
- Coordinated by INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network), a UGC autonomous body.
Comprehensive Journal Access
The scheme will include journals from renowned publishers such as:
- Elsevier
- Springer Nature
- Wiley Blackwell
- Taylor & Francis
- Oxford University Press
- Cambridge University Press
Coverage
- More than 6,300 higher educational institutions and research laboratories.
- Benefiting over 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers.
Implementation of the ONOS Scheme
The Department of Higher Education, under the Union Ministry of Education, will oversee the implementation of ONOS.
- INFLIBNET will coordinate payments to publishers.
- Institutions can access journals through the unified portal while retaining the flexibility to purchase additional subscriptions.
Funding and Duration
The scheme has a funding allocation of ₹6,000 crore for three years:
- Duration: 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.
- Focus: Covering the subscription costs of journals to ensure seamless access.
Eligible Institutions Under ONOS
Institutions eligible for ONOS include:
- Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) under Central and State Governments.
- Research and Development (R&D) Laboratories under the Central Government.
Role of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
The ANRF, established under the ANRF 2023 Act, will periodically evaluate the scheme’s effectiveness.
- It will monitor the usage of journals.
- Assess contributions by Indian authors and researchers.
The ANRF ensures alignment with the goals outlined in the National Education Policy for advancing scientific research.
Why ONOS Matters for Research and Education in India
Bridging Resource Gaps
- Streamlines access to journals for institutions with limited resources.
- Reduces subscription costs by centralizing negotiations with publishers.
Boosting Research and Innovation
- Encourages cross-disciplinary studies with comprehensive journal access.
- Supports higher education institutions in fostering research-driven education.
Empowering Institutions
- Institutions no longer need separate subscriptions, simplifying management.
- Funds saved can be redirected to other academic or research activities.
Benefits of One Nation One Subscription Scheme
| Benefits | Details |
| Cost Efficiency | Reduces individual subscription expenses for institutions. |
| Wide Access | Covers 13,000 journals from 30 top publishers. |
| Enhanced Research | Promotes R&D in diverse academic disciplines. |
| Ease of Access | Single digital platform for all eligible institutions. |
| Inclusive | Benefits nearly 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers. |
| Supports NEP 2020 Goals | Aligns with the National Education Policy’s focus on innovation and research. |
News Summary: One Nation One Subscription Scheme
- The Government of India launched ONOS to expand access to academic journals for students and researchers.
- The scheme will provide access to 13,000 scholarly journals through a single portal.
- Coordinated by INFLIBNET under the Ministry of Education, it will benefit 6,300 institutions and 1.8 crore users.
- With a budget of ₹6,000 crore, the scheme will run from 2025 to 2027.
- The ANRF will oversee usage and ensure alignment with national research goals.
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FAQs About One Nation One Subscription Scheme
The ONOS scheme is a government initiative to provide unified access to national and international academic journals through a single digital platform.
The scheme will benefit 6,300 higher education and research institutions, covering over 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers.
All government-managed higher educational institutions and R&D laboratories under the Central Government are eligible.
The Department of Higher Education, under the Ministry of Education, will implement the scheme, with INFLIBNET coordinating the subscription process.
The ONOS scheme will start on 1 January 2025 and run until 31 December 2027.
The Government of India has allocated ₹6,000 crore for the three-year duration of the scheme.
The ANRF will periodically review the scheme’s usage and monitor research contributions by Indian authors.