One Nation, One Subscription Model Set to Revolutionize India’s Research Landscape
One Nation, One Subscription Model Set to Revolutionize India's Research Landscape
India aims to turbocharge R&D and achieve global research excellence with the ONOS initiative.
New Delhi, India: In a transformative move to bolster India’s research and development (R&D) ecosystem, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has announced the launch of the One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) model. The initiative promises to make global research more accessible to Indian institutions, paving the way for advancements in high-tech sectors and academic excellence.
Speaking at a press conference, DST Secretary Abhay Karandikar unveiled the phased implementation of the initiative, which is set to commence on January 1, 2025. The first phase will grant free access to 13,400 international journals for all government institutes and universities. Subsequent phases will include private institutes, with a nominal fee under discussion, and eventually, universal access at public libraries.
Reducing Costs, Enhancing Accessibility
Currently, Indian universities allocate up to 40% of their research budgets to access academic journals, leaving limited funds for actual research. ONOS aims to address this by pooling national resources, significantly reducing subscription costs, and redirecting funds toward R&D activities. Over 30 leading international publishers, including Elsevier, Springer, and Wiley, have already partnered with the government for this initiative.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
The ONOS scheme will go beyond science disciplines, offering access to journals in management, social sciences, and the humanities. This multidisciplinary approach ensures inclusivity and caters to diverse research needs across the country.
Unlocking Economic Potential
India currently spends only 0.7% of its GDP on R&D, significantly lower than countries like the US (2.8%) and China (2.2%). By increasing this investment, ONOS has the potential to boost India’s R&D expenditure to 1.5% of GDP by 2030. This could unlock billions in economic output, create high-tech jobs, enhance exports, and reduce dependency on foreign technology.
A Collaborative Vision
ONOS is envisioned as a collaborative platform uniting universities, industries, and government. By breaking barriers to research access, it aims to ignite innovation in areas like artificial intelligence, electronics, and pharmaceuticals—sectors critical to India’s export-driven growth.
The Path Forward
While the initial phase focuses on government institutions, senior officials have confirmed that plans are underway to expand the scheme to private institutes and public libraries. To ensure ONOS achieves its full potential, policymakers, universities, and industries must collaborate strategically.
India, aspiring to become a $10 trillion economy by 2047, stands at a pivotal moment. ONOS represents not just a step toward academic and technological excellence but a leap toward securing its place among the world’s leading innovation hubs.
