One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) Scheme, Objectives and Features

India has a rich legacy of intellectual achievement, spanning advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and diverse scientific fields. Recognizing the need to nurture this legacy, the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, approved on November 25, 2024, promises to revolutionize access to research resources in India. This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Viksitbharat@2047 vision.

One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) Scheme

• It is a Central Sector Scheme to provide country-wide access to international high-impact scholarly research articles and journal publications to students, faculty and researchers.
• This initiative aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047, fostering a robust research and development culture in India.
• Nodal Ministry: Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.

Key Objectives of One Nation One Subscription Scheme

• Universal Access: Provide equitable access to high-quality knowledge resources, including e-books, research journals, and databases, regardless of geographical or economic barriers.
• Boost Research: Empower researchers and academic institutions with seamless access to the latest scientific advancements and scholarly work.
• Cost Optimization: Consolidate subscriptions at a national level to reduce the overall expenditure on academic resources for the country.

Key Features of ONOS Scheme

Coverage

• The scheme will provide access to 13,000 e-journals from 30 major international journal publishers.
• The initiative is expected to help students in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, ensuring that geographical location does not limit access to high-quality academic content.

Eligibility

• All government-managed higher education institutions (HEIs) and central government R&D institutions will benefit from the scheme.

Platform Access

• The ONOS platform will be operational starting January 1, 2025.
• Access to journals will be fully digital and coordinated by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous inter-university centre under the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Implementation Highlights of ONOS

1. Centralized Coordination by INFLIBNET
   • INFLIBNET, under the UGC, will manage digital access and streamline the subscription process.
2. Funding and Financial Allocation
   • ₹6,000 crore allocated for the three-year period (2025–2027).
   • Provides central funding support of ₹150 crore per year for researchers to publish in high-quality Open Access journals.
3. Digital Accessibility
   • Journals are accessible on a digital platform for seamless, on-demand use, minimizing administrative overheads.

Strategic Benefits of ONOS

1. Cost-Efficient Research Publishing
   • Discounts on Article Processing Charges (APCs) for Indian researchers to publish in high-quality journals.
   • Helps mitigate financial barriers for researchers aiming for global recognition.
2. Synergy with Existing R&D Initiatives
   • Complements the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), boosting R&D activities nationwide.
3. Long-Term Vision
   • Forms the foundation for future enhancements, including support for Indian journals, new evaluation methods for research, and a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Conclusion

The ONOS initiative is a transformative move to bridge knowledge gaps and advance India’s research ecosystem. By providing inclusive access to world-class resources, it empowers students, faculty, and researchers to achieve academic and scientific excellence. This unified approach will drive innovation, reinforce India’s global leadership in research, and lay the groundwork for a self-reliant, knowledge-driven nation by 2047.

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