The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative of the Office of PSA was approved by the Union Cabinet as a Central Sector Scheme on 25th November 2024. ONOS is aimed at providing access to scholarly research e-journals from prominent publishers covering the disciplines of STEM, medical, management, social sciences and humanities, to all individuals in the country, This initiative seeks to break down barriers to knowledge by providing all students, faculty, researchers, and scientists across the nation’s government higher education institutions (HEIs) and central government R&D centres with access to international scholarly journals and articles

Nearly 6,400 institutions across the country including Higher Educational Institutions i.e. central and state universities, colleges (including all medical colleges) and central government R&D institutions will benefit from ONOS. The scheme’s objective is to provide all eligible students, faculty, researchers, and scientists with access to top-tier international research articles and journals. It covers more than 6,300 government-managed higher education institutions and central government-managed research and development institutions across the country

WHAT IS One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)?

ONOS is a centralized subscription platform that offers nationwide access to digital knowledge resources. It aggregates subscriptions to journals, e-books, research papers, databases, and other digital materials, making them available to all citizens. The initiative is designed to eliminate barriers caused by the high costs of accessing premium content, thereby fostering a culture of learning and innovation.

The platform integrates with existing academic and research institutions while extending its services to the broader population, including independent researchers, students from rural areas, and professionals seeking knowledge resources.

OBJECTIVES OF ONOS

The ONOS initiative has the following key objectives:

Democratizing Knowledge Access: To provide equitable access to academic and research content across urban and rural areas.

Promoting Research and Innovation: By offering access to high-quality resources, ONOS aims to boost research outputs and innovation.

Cost Efficiency: A centralized subscription model reduces costs for institutions and individuals who would otherwise need separate subscriptions.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Ensuring access to premium digital content for underserved and underprivileged communities.

Enhancing India’s Global Knowledge Ranking: Encouraging wider access to resources aligns with India’s ambition to become a global hub for education and innovation.

KEY FEATURES OF ONOS

Nationwide Coverage: ONOS provides access to digital resources across the country, irrespective of the user’s location.

Comprehensive Resource Collection: Includes journals, research papers, databases, and e-books from national and international publishers.

User-Friendly Interface: A single login system makes it easy for users to browse, search, and download content.

Customizable Access Levels: Institutions, libraries, and individual users can tailor their access needs.

Integration with Educational Portals: ONOS collaborates with platforms like NPTEL, SWAYAM, and National Digital Library of India (NDLI).

Benefits of ONOS

The scheme provides Access to more than 13,000 scholarly journals from 30 major international publishers, Benefits about 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers across disciplines such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), Medicine, Social Sciences, Finance & Accounts, etc, Inclusive access to research for institutions in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, ensuring equitable access to knowledge

The entire subscription process will be centrally coordinated by INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network), an autonomous inter-university centre under the University Grants Commission (UGC). INFLIBNET will manage the distribution of digital access to these journals, ensuring a seamless experience for users

The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative represents a bold step toward making knowledge universally accessible. By leveraging digital technology and centralized subscription models, ONOS can empower millions of Indians with the resources they need to excel in academics, research, and professional endeavors. With its potential to bridge gaps in education and research, ONOS is not just a platform but a movement toward a more informed and equitable society.

Let us embrace this transformative initiative and work together to make knowledge a shared treasure for all!