A news that should make the headlines might go quietly ,
In a move that academics and researchers are calling a “game changer,” the Indian government bought a giant subscription of 13,000 academic journals and made them available for free to 2 crore students, faculty, and researchers for free.
Under new Indian govt One nation One subscription Indian govt bought subscription 13000 journals, The scheme has been approved with a significant allocation of Rs 6,000 crore or $700 million for the years 2025 to 2027.
This investment will enable the establishment of national licenses with leading STEM publishers and database producers globally, making it easier for India’s academic community to access the latest research. The unified portal will manage the scheme digitally, allowing streamlined access for all eligible institutions and researchers.
#CabinetDecisions: The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved One Nation One Subscription, a new Central Sector Scheme for providing nationwide access to scholarly research articles and journal publications. The scheme will be… pic.twitter.com/ONR3pFDO9k
— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) November 26, 2024
One nation One Subscription
The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, launched by the Government of India, is a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide nationwide access to the latest scholarly research articles and academic journals. This initiative aims to foster scientific research and innovation by offering affordable, country-wide access to high-quality academic content. Through ONOS, students, faculty, and researchers will benefit from seamless access to valuable resources that’ll drive innovation in various fields.
The scheme has been approved with a significant allocation of RS 6,000 crore for the years 2025 to 2027. This investment will enable the establishment of national licenses with leading STEM publishers globally, making it easier for India’s academic community to access the latest research. The unified portal will manage the scheme digitally, streamlining access for all eligible institutions and researchers.
The govt will provide the ONOS scheme to over 6,300 institutions, impacting 1.8 crore researchers through a national subscription.
Whats Groundbreaking, what difficulties researchers were facing ?
The “One Nation One Subscription” scheme is groundbreaking because it aims to break down the financial and geographical barriers that have long hindered access to essential research resources for a significant portion of India’s academic community.
Researchers in India, particularly those in smaller institutions , often face significant challenges in accessing critical scholarly journals due to:
- High Subscription Costs: Many prestigious journals charge exorbitant subscription fees, making them unaffordable. This financial barrier severely limits access to the latest research findings and can stifle innovation.
- Unequal Access: The lack of access to these resources, affects researchers in smaller institutions, particularly those located in rural areas. This disparity in access can exacerbate existing inequalities in the academic landscape.
- Limited Geographical Reach: Even when institutions can afford subscriptions, access can be restricted by geographical limitations. Researchers in remote areas may face difficulties accessing online resources due to limited internet connectivity or slow speeds.
The ONOS scheme provides affordable access to scholarly research, promoting an inclusive research ecosystem and empowering Indian researchers.
