In a significant move aimed at fostering innovation and democratizing access to academic resources, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the One Nation One Subscription scheme. The Central Sector Scheme, which comes with a hefty budget allocation of ₹6,000 crore, will run during the calendar years 2025, 2026, and 2027.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the initiative will offer seamless digital access to scholarly research articles and journals, benefiting higher education institutions, central government R&D laboratories, and millions of students, faculty members, and researchers across India.
The scheme aligns with the objectives of Viksit Bharat@2047, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), furthering the vision of a research-oriented academic ecosystem.
Transformative Highlights of the Scheme:
- Wide Reach: Over 6,300 higher educational institutions and research centers, managed by central and state governments, will gain access to international and national academic journals.
- Beneficiaries: Approximately 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers, including those in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, will benefit from this centralized access.
- Digital Framework: The subscription process will be entirely digital and user-friendly, ensuring ease of use across all platforms.
- INFLIBNET Coordination: The Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous UGC inter-university center, will oversee the implementation and coordination of the scheme.
- Boost to Research: The scheme will complement efforts by ANRF to encourage publications by Indian authors and monitor the usage of academic resources.
Awareness Campaigns to Maximize Impact
The Department of Higher Education, along with other relevant ministries, will spearhead extensive awareness campaigns to inform students, faculty, and researchers about the scheme. State governments will also be engaged to ensure that the benefits of the initiative reach every corner of the country.
The One Nation One Subscription scheme promises to revolutionize India’s research landscape, making cutting-edge academic resources accessible to a broader demographic. As the nation gears up to embrace this transformative step, it underscores the government’s commitment to nurturing a knowledge-driven society.