Union Cabinet Approves One Nation, One Subscription Scheme to Boost Higher Education and Research
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for the "One Nation, One Subscription" (ONOS) scheme, a new initiative aimed at providing seamless access to scholarly research articles and journals for higher education and central government R&D laboratories.
The ONOS scheme is designed to allocate INR 6,000 crore for three consecutive years - 2025, 2026, and 2027 - to bolster higher education and research in the nation. The scheme will be implemented through a user-friendly, fully digital platform and will be available to over 6,300 institutions, including government universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
The scheme promises to democratize access to academic resources, offering nearly 13,000 high-impact e journals from 30 leading international publishers. It aims to extend benefits to tier-2 and tier-3 cities, offering interdisciplinary and advanced research across numerous disciplines.
Addressing the nation on August 15, 2022, Prime Minister Modi had focused on the pivotal role that research and development plays in India's progress and issued a call for "Jai Anusandhan," underscoring the nation's commitment to innovation and scientific exploration.
The ONOS scheme aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Anushandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), and the government's Viksit Bharat@2047 vision. The policy aspires to bridge the gaps in access to academic resources, promoting innovation and elevating the quality of higher education in the country.
The scheme will be implemented through a dedicated portal, "One Nation One Subscription," which will serve as the gateway for institutions to access these resources. The ANRF will periodically review the scheme's impact, particularly its usage and contributions from Indian authors within these institutions.
To ensure widespread awareness, the Department of Higher Education, alongside state governments and relevant ministries, will conduct extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns.
This initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping India's research ecosystem, enabling broader participation in academic discourse and strengthening the country's position in global innovation and education.