India’s education and research sectors are undergoing a transformation, with the government’s One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative poised to play a pivotal role. Slated to launch in January 2025, ONOS aims to break down barriers to academic resources and make cutting-edge research more accessible to millions of students, researchers, and educators across the country. The program is expected to empower a diverse range of individuals, including those in underserved regions, with access to 13,000 scholarly journals without the financial burden of costly subscriptions.
The initiative reflects India’s growing role as a global hub for learning, research, and innovation. According to IIM Mumbai, ONOS has the potential to reduce research costs by 18%, providing significant relief to students and researchers who previously faced obstacles due to expensive academic resources. With a budget allocation of ₹6,000 crore ($715 million) over three years, ONOS is one of the largest knowledge-access initiatives in the world, aiming to democratize information and promote equity in research.
ONOS is also aligned with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to strengthen research and development at government universities, colleges, and laboratories. By ensuring that students and researchers, particularly those in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, can access essential academic journals, the initiative is expected to foster a more research-oriented culture across the nation.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain, particularly with the high fees associated with open-access publications. Experts believe that the government should negotiate reduced costs for Indian researchers to ensure broader participation in global scientific discussions. Furthermore, ONOS aims to position India as a leader in global research by making research materials accessible to an unprecedented 18 million students and researchers.
The ONOS initiative comes at a time when India’s R&D expenditure is among the lowest globally, highlighting the need for increased investment in research and innovation. Experts argue that enhancing the country’s R&D efforts, supported by initiatives like ONOS, will drive India’s progress in technology and innovation, boosting its competitiveness on the global stage.
With its potential to revolutionize India’s academic ecosystem, ONOS is a step toward breaking financial and logistical barriers and ensuring that the next generation of researchers and innovators has the resources to succeed.
