The ONOS initiative has drawn praise from global academics, researchers, and policymakers
India is set to revolutionise access to academic knowledge with its ambitious One Nation-One Subscription (ONOS) initiative. Scheduled to launch in January 2025, this landmark plan will provide free access to 13,000 scholarly journals to nearly 18 million students, researchers, and faculty members across the country. With a budgetary allocation of ₹6,000 crore ($715 million) over three years, the ONOS initiative represents one of the most comprehensive knowledge-access schemes globally, targeting equitable access and fostering innovation.

What Is ONOS?
The ONOS plan, approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 25, 2024, consolidates subscriptions to major academic journals into a single platform. Facilitated by INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network Centre), the platform will centralise access for over 6,300 government-run higher education institutions (HEIs), including universities, research institutes, and colleges in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

The initiative covers publications from 30 leading global publishers such as Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, and IEEE. Previously, institutions subscribed individually or through fragmented consortia, leading to duplication and uneven access. The ONOS scheme addresses these inefficiencies by negotiating a single price for all, significantly reducing costs.

Key Benefits
Wider Access: Approximately 18 million students and researchers, including those in underserved regions, will gain access to cutting-edge research without additional institutional costs.

Cost Efficiency: By consolidating subscriptions, the central government negotiated an annual price of ₹1,800 crore, down from an initial quote of ₹4,000 crore per year.

Strengthened Research Infrastructure: ONOS ensures that resources are not only accessible but also equitably distributed, enhancing India’s research output and global competitiveness.

Global Reactions
The ONOS initiative has drawn praise from global academics, researchers, and policymakers. On social media platforms like Reddit and X,  foreigners have lauded India’s efforts:

A Reddit user commented, “Easy access to knowledge is hugely beneficial. I hope the US can compete with this model in the long term.”

Another user wrote, “India is doing things right. Not having access to journals is a huge barrier to open science and research.”
Highlighting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one post read, “PM Modi is truly an exceptional leader. This initiative is a game-changer for academic equality.”

Despite its merits, ONOS has faced scrutiny. Some experts question the reliance on traditional subscription models over the increasingly popular Open Access (OA) publishing framework. OA advocates argue that unrestricted access to research articles could be more sustainable and inclusive in the long run.

Supporters of ONOS, however, argue that its benefits outweigh the criticisms. Reliable access to high-quality journals is vital for advancing India’s research capabilities. Alongside access to journals, the initiative addresses the need for a robust research ecosystem, including better laboratory infrastructure and support services, these experts point out.

The ONOS plan aligns with the goals outlined in India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises research as a cornerstone for national development. The scheme complements initiatives like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which aims to promote research and innovation.

A Boon for Indian Academia
The centralized journal access under ONOS is expected to:
Avoid duplication and streamline costs for HEIs.
Enhance the visibility of Indian research by providing uniform access to global knowledge.
Facilitate better usage monitoring, enabling data-driven policy decisions.
Reduce inequalities between institutions in urban centers and those in rural areas.

The ONOS initiative is just the beginning. The government has announced plans to negotiate Article Processing Charges (APCs) for Indian researchers. In 2021, Indian authors paid ₹380 crore in APCs to international publishers. By streamlining APC costs, ONOS could further alleviate financial burdens on Indian academics.

Future phases of ONOS are expected to expand coverage to private universities and standalone institutions, ensuring that the benefits reach the entire spectrum of Indian academia.

India’s ONOS plan is a transformative step toward democratizing access to knowledge. By removing financial and logistical barriers to academic resources, the initiative has the potential to elevate India’s research ecosystem and establish the nation as a global leader in innovation. While challenges remain, the ONOS framework offers a robust foundation for equitable education and research development, setting a benchmark for other countries to follow.

As the world watches India’s ambitious plan unfold, ONOS exemplifies how visionary policies can pave the way for inclusive and sustainable academic growth.