The introduction of the One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) scheme is set to significantly enhance India’s research landscape by reducing costs and broadening access to academic resources. As per an assessment by IIM Mumbai, the scheme is projected to lower research expenses by 18 percent, enabling students and researchers to access over 13,000 research papers with a single click.
Professor Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Director of IIM Mumbai, emphasised the importance of data reliability and factual accuracy in determining the success of any research endeavour. He noted that in addition to researchers’ technical expertise, factors like time, equipment, consumables, and research support services play a vital role in creating a robust research ecosystem.
Currently, funding shortages pose a significant hurdle for research projects, often leaving researchers reliant on costly subscriptions to international journals. These subscriptions place a heavy financial burden on higher education institutions, adversely affecting the quality of both research and education.
To address these challenges, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a central sector initiative called One Nation, One Membership, under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. This innovative scheme aims to alleviate financial pressures while improving research infrastructure across the country.
By streamlining access to high-quality academic resources and minimising costs, ONOS is poised to transform India’s research ecosystem, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
The One Nation, One Membership (ONOS) scheme, launched in January 2025, aims to revolutionise research and innovation in government institutions. With a budget of Rs 6,000 crore allocated for 2025-2027, the initiative will provide centralised digital access to over 13,000 e-journals from 30 renowned international publishers through INFLIBNET. This will benefit 6,300 institutions and 1.8 crore students, teachers, and researchers by eliminating the need for costly subscriptions.
In its first phase, ONOS will significantly expand resources for institutions like IIM Mumbai, enhancing access to journals and conference proceedings, boosting publication output by 38 percent, and reducing library expenses by 18 percent. Nationwide, the scheme is projected to increase the number of beneficiary users by 213.6% and institutions by 167.4 percent, with a 60 percent increase in access to publications per user.This transformative step aligns with India’s vision for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @ 2047, fostering a stronger research ecosystem and underscoring the national focus on innovation and development under the “Jai Anusandhan” initiative.
