India, the world’s third-largest producer of research papers, is poised to transform access to academic resources with its upcoming One Nation-One Subscription (ONOS) initiative. Starting in January 2025, this groundbreaking plan will grant free access to nearly 13,000 journals from leading publishers like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley to 18 million students, researchers, and faculty members across the country. This ambitious project has drawn praise from international observers who view it as a significant step toward reshaping India’s research ecosystem.
What Is the One Nation-One Subscription Plan?
Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet on November 25, the ONOS plan involves a $715 million investment over three years and covers subscriptions from 30 major publishers. This makes it the largest initiative of its kind globally. After two years of extensive negotiations, the plan is set to consolidate access to research papers through a single online portal, streamlining costs and expanding availability. According to a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai, this initiative could cut research-related expenses by 18%, offering substantial benefits to millions of knowledge seekers in the country.
Foreign Reactions to ONOS
The ONOS initiative has received widespread praise from international audiences. A Reddit user from the United States remarked, “Easy access to knowledge is hugely beneficial, and I hope the US can compete with it in the long term.” Another commenter highlighted the broader implications, saying, “India is doing things right here.”
Zaitoon, a medical student in the U.S., shared her personal struggles, writing, “Wow. I used to cry about this all the time during med school. Not having access to journals is a huge barrier to (open) science and research. Big equalizer moves from the Indian government.”
On social media platform X, one user expressed admiration for Prime Minister Modi and his administration, stating, “I greatly admire Modi and his cabinet. It’s sad that many people fail to see the incredible work he and his administration have done for the country. They are a prime example of how a nation and its leaders should operate to manage 1.5 billion people while addressing the corruption and mess created by previous governments. Modi is truly an exceptional leader.”
Another commenter predicted significant benefits for India’s research capabilities, saying, “This will take Indian research and scientific advancement to another level. I hope other developing countries can think long-term and lay such strong foundations for sustained development.”
Reflecting on broader implications for global access, one user noted, “The US hasn’t but should. A small step towards equal collections across all institutions. Anything published in the US should automatically have a site license for the US government. (Another proposal that needs traction in Congress).”
Why Is India Investing So Much in Journal Subscriptions?
The ONOS plan represents a landmark effort by India’s Union Cabinet to democratize access to academic research. By making critical resources available to students and institutions irrespective of their financial capabilities, the initiative seeks to bridge gaps in the availability of academic literature.
However, the significant investment in traditional journal subscriptions has sparked debate, particularly as the global research landscape increasingly embraces Open Access (OA) publishing. OA allows free access to research articles without requiring authors to pay fees and has rapidly gained momentum, with half of all new research articles being published under this model.
Critics argue that India’s reliance on traditional subscription models may be a short-term solution. Sridhar Gutam, a prominent advocate for Open Access, told Science.Org that India should prioritize OA initiatives over subscription-based approaches. Similarly, Muthu Madhan, a director at O.P. Jindal Global University, suggested that the funds allocated for ONOS could have been better spent on improving research stipends and enhancing laboratory infrastructure.
Balancing Access and Infrastructure
While critics question the emphasis on journal subscriptions, other experts emphasize the importance of a balanced approach that includes reliable access to resources and robust research infrastructure. Professor Manoj Kumar Tiwari highlighted the critical role of data, equipment, consumables, and support services in fostering academic growth.
Tiwari views the ONOS plan as part of a broader strategy to improve the country’s research environment, explaining, “This scheme will provide access to journals while also improving research infrastructure, creating a more efficient and accessible environment for academic growth and innovation.”
India’s ONOS initiative reflects a bold move to strengthen its academic and research capabilities. While the plan has sparked debates on priorities and long-term strategies, its potential to democratize knowledge access and boost scientific innovation has been widely acknowledged, both domestically and internationally.
