One Nation One Subscription (ONOS): A New Chapter in Academic Access

Dr. M A Mujeeb

mujeeb21speaks@gmail.com 

📚 One Nation One Subscription (ONOS): A New Chapter in Academic Access

In my recent blog, I explored the implications of the ban on Sci-Hub and LibGen, highlighting the serious challenges it poses to academic access in India. These platforms, while controversial, had become lifelines for students and researchers in under-resourced institutions. Their absence has left a significant void—one that demands a sustainable, legal alternative.

In light of this, I believe it’s essential to introduce my readers to a promising initiative by the Government of India: One Nation One Subscription (ONOS). This national program aims to redefine how research is accessed across the country and could be a game-changer for equitable education and research empowerment.

🔍 What Is ONOS?

ONOS is a landmark initiative launched in January 2025 to revolutionize access to academic research. Instead of individual institutions negotiating costly subscriptions, ONOS consolidates them under a single national license, negotiated by the government with 30 leading international publishers including Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley, and IEEE.

This unified model enables over 6,500 government-funded universities, colleges, and R&D centers to access 13,000+ high-impact journals without financial or infrastructural barriers. The initiative is especially impactful for Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where access to scholarly content has historically been limited.

🛠️ How Does ONOS Work?

ONOS operates through a centralized licensing and access model:

  • The government negotiates with publishers to secure bulk access to journals.
  • Eligible institutions must register on the ONOS portal using their AISHE code (All India Survey on Higher Education).
  • A nodal officer from each institution manages registration and access.
  • Institutions without an AISHE code must apply via the AISHE portal.
  • Access is granted via IP-based authentication or centralized login through the INFED platform.
  • Existing users of government consortia are automatically transitioned to ONOS.

📈 Impact of ONOS So Far

The early results of ONOS are promising:

  • 6,300+ institutions onboarded within six months
  • 13,000+ journals made accessible
  • Over 5.5 crore articles downloaded
  • Benefiting an estimated 1.8 crore students and researchers
  • ₹6,000 crore allocated for Phase I (2023–2026)

These numbers reflect ONOS's potential to reshape India's academic landscape and offer a legal, sustainable alternative to shadow libraries.

🏛️ Who Is Eligible?

Institutions eligible to access ONOS include:

  • Government-run Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

    • Central universities
    • State public universities
    • Government colleges (affiliated or autonomous)

  • Government-funded Research Organizations

    • CSIR, ICAR, DRDO, and similar R&D centers

  • Institutions with an AISHE Code

    • Includes colleges offering UG, PG, doctoral, or post-doctoral programs

  • R&D institutions without students

    • Can register with authorization from their parent ministry

🚫 Who Is Not Eligible (Currently)?

At present, ONOS does not extend access to private universities and colleges, unless they are part of a government consortium or receive public funding. Institutions without an AISHE code must apply for one to become eligible. Additionally, individual researchers and students outside of registered institutions are not granted direct access, as ONOS is designed to serve institutional users.

✊ Why ONOS Matters?

ONOS is more than a subscription model—it’s a strategic intervention that promotes equity, efficiency, and empowerment. It supports the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), while offering a legal pathway to access global research.

As educators, researchers, and students, we must stay informed and engaged with initiatives like ONOS. They represent the future of academic access in India—and a step toward a more inclusive and connected research ecosystem.


Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 3, 2025 at 6:58 AM

    Informative

    ReplyDelete
  2. Riaz PathanSeptember 5, 2025 at 6:59 AM

    Dr. Abdul Mujeeb ur writing is precise and informative. 🤝

    No doubt the ONOS initiative is a promising step, meanwhile the success of the scheme will depends on how efficiantly government manages it's implementation in future. Hopefully next phage of this will be focusing on long term strategies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dr. M A MujeebSeptember 6, 2025 at 10:32 PM

      Yeah, I agree with you Sir, if the second phase includes private universities and other small colleges and institutions then it can be a game changer.

      Delete

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