ONION: Government-funded Institutions to Enjoy Free International Academic Journal Access from January 1

New Delhi: The Indian government has officially launched its ambitious 'One Nation, One Subscription' (ONOS) programme, providing free access to a vast collection of international academic journals to over 18 million students across publicly funded higher education institutions.

As part of the initiative, top universities such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), state public universities, private colleges, and national institutes will gain unlimited access to around 13,400 global journals in various disciplines. The resources published by leading international publishers, including Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley, are now available at the fingertips of researchers nationwide.

The first phase of ONOS promises to revolutionize the academic research landscape by bridging the knowledge gap between tier-1 and tier-2/3 cities, where access was previously limited. The programme's objective is two-fold: to empower student research and academics with global resources and foster an environment for interdisciplinary research and innovation.

According to Department of Science and Technology Secretary Abhay Karadikar, "This initiative marks a significant shift towards making quality academic journals accessible to our nation's top minds, promoting cross-disciplinary learning and cutting-edge research."

The ONOS programme is a central sector scheme, coordinated by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), with a budget of ₹6,000 crore. Subsequent phases aim to integrate private institutions through public-private partnerships and provide international journals for public access.

With this launch, India now joins the league of nations offering such comprehensive research opportunities, further solidifying its position as a global hub in education and science.

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