India’s ‘One Nation One Subscription’ scheme a game-changer for research and education

In a landmark move that promises to transform India’s academic landscape, the Indian government has rolled out the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, a bold initiative designed to provide nationwide access to scholarly research and academic journals.

In the words of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme is a “game-changer for Indian academia and for youth empowerment.” With access to such a vast repository of knowledge, India’s young scholars are now better equipped to make meaningful contributions to global research, bringing new perspectives and innovations to the table.

For the first time, more than 20 million students, teachers, and researchers across 6,300 institutions will be able to access thousands of high-impact international journals, all through a unified digital portal.

For decades, access to cutting-edge academic resources has been a privilege enjoyed by a select few—often reserved for well-funded institutions or students in major metropolitan areas. But ONOS, with its promise of inclusivity, aims to democratise knowledge, ensuring that even the smallest institutions in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are no longer left behind.

The scheme is expected to revolutionise academic research, promoting interdisciplinary studies and enhancing India’s position in the global academic ecosystem.

Launched by the Union Cabinet and approved with a staggering ₹6,000 crore (AUD 1.2 billion) funding allocation, the ONOS scheme is set to reshape the way Indian academia engages with global research. Under this initiative, institutions—ranging from government universities and colleges to research labs—will be given seamless, digital access to over 13,000 e-journals from 30 of the world’s top publishers, including Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, and Oxford University Press.

The scheme is backed by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous centre under the University Grants Commission (UGC), which will oversee the centralised distribution of the journals. From 2025, these academic resources will be made available on a single, easy-to-use portal, accessible by all eligible institutions across India.

For students, faculty, and researchers, access to high-quality research is critical for academic growth. However, the high cost of journal subscriptions has often been a barrier, particularly for smaller universities or those in less developed regions. As Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw pointed out, “In college, as students, it is often difficult to access even one good publication.” ONOS changes that by removing the financial barriers, providing equal access to the best global research across all disciplines—from physics and microbiology to humanities and social sciences.

This scheme will particularly benefit students and academics in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, who have historically been at a disadvantage due to limited access to global research. The move aligns with the government’s vision of creating a level playing field where every student, regardless of their geographic location, has the same opportunities to access world-class research materials.

One of the most exciting aspects of ONOS is the inclusion of prestigious international publishers. The nearly 13,000 e-journals that will be accessible include journals from top publishers such as Springer Nature, Wiley Blackwell, and Sage Publishing, covering a broad spectrum of academic disciplines. With these resources at their fingertips, students and researchers will be able to stay ahead of the curve in their fields, exploring the latest findings and contributing to the global body of knowledge.

The One Nation One Subscription scheme is not just about improving access to research; it’s about fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in India. As the country strives to become a global leader in research and development, initiatives like ONOS are essential in creating an environment where academic inquiry and discovery can flourish.

The scheme also serves as a stepping stone towards India’s broader educational goals. It supports the National Education Policy (2020), which places research at the heart of India’s educational framework. By increasing access to quality research materials, ONOS is empowering students to engage in interdisciplinary studies, think critically, and drive innovation in their fields.

Prof. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, stated that One Nation One Subscription initiative will foster both core and interdisciplinary research in India.

The government’s ₹6,000 crore (AUD 1.2 billion) investment is just the beginning. With a phased rollout, the scheme will eventually expand to include private institutions and Indian journals, making it an all-encompassing platform for global and national research alike. Over the next three years, as more institutions join the program, the ONOS platform is set to become the largest digital library for Indian academia, promoting not just research, but collaboration and knowledge exchange across borders.

The initiative’s long-term impact is clear. By increasing access to high-quality research, One Nation One Subscription will empower Indian students, faculty, and researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge. In turn, it will help India solidify its place as a knowledge-driven economy in the 21st century.