National Librarians’ Day 2025: Voices from India’s Academic Libraries

What are your thoughts or opinions on the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)?

I view One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) as a watershed moment for the democratization of knowledge in Indian academia. India’s long and rich history of innovation and discovery has, in recent decades, often been hindered by disparities in access to scholarly literature, especially in geographically remote or resource-constrained institutions. ONOS is a direct response to these challenges.

By providing digital access to more than 13,000 scholarly journals from 30 major international publishers, including those in STEM, medicine, humanities, and social sciences, ONOS is setting a new national standard for academic resources. The initiative’s scale is remarkable, i.e., nearly 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers across more than 6,500 government-run higher education and R&D institutions have benefited. This includes not only Tier 1 universities but also institutions in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities that historically lacked research access.

ONOS is closely aligned with transformative national policies such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Viksit Bharat@2047(Developed India), reflecting a strategic commitment to position India as a global leader in research and innovation. The “Jai Anusandhan” (Victory to Research) ethos is brought to life through this initiative, which offers a unified infrastructure to ensure that everyone, regardless of location or prior resource levels, can participate in global scientific dialogue.

By centralizing negotiations and support through INFLIBNET and integrating with policy frameworks like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), ONOS ensures robust governance and strategic oversight. It stands out not merely as a subscription program but as an integral part of India’s research infrastructure transformation.

Do you see ONOS as beneficial, challenging, or a mix of both for your library? Why?

ONOS is unquestionably beneficial in transforming how Indian libraries serve researchers, including at IIT Delhi, where access to a wider range of resources and larger collections is tremendously helpful. However, it also presents new operational and strategic challenges for many libraries.

At IIT Delhi, we are proud to be part of this national and global shift, aligning our efforts with international movements toward Open Science. Our partnership with such initiatives exemplifies our commitment not just to access but to equity, efficiency, and leadership in advancing research in India. The benefits are substantial and extend well beyond resource acquisition.

Equitable access is the cornerstone of ONOS. It has dismantled financial and administrative barriers, granting over 6500 government-funded institutions, irrespective of budget, size, or location, equal access to high-quality, peer-reviewed literature. The centralized, large-scale negotiation process optimizes national costs, strengthens bargaining power with publishers, and minimizes duplication in resource spending. This cost reallocation allows libraries to invest in complementary infrastructure, staff training, and discovery tools. ONOS has enabled a shift from fragmented, institution-based subscriptions to a seamless national research platform, uplifting smaller institutions and genuinely leveling the playing field for Indian academia. The initiative not only boosts research productivity but also supports high-quality teaching and a collaborative academic culture, narrowing the historical gap between elite and under-resourced institutions.

However, there are significant challenges. Implementing a large-scale unified access system across more than 6,500 institutions with varying digital readiness, technical infrastructure, and research cultures is a formidable task. While ONOS is well-funded (₹6,000 crore over three years), concerns about long-term financial sustainability, especially as global scholarly publishing is rapidly shifting toward Open Access (OA) models. Over half of global research output is now OA and freely available, with initiatives such as Europe’s Plan S, U.S. federal OA mandates (2026), China’s national OA policies, and SPARC’s advocacy pushing institutions toward pay-per-view or open-access models.

Although ONOS has allocated ₹150 crore to support authors’ Article Processing Charges (APCs), progress in negotiating sustainable, reduced APCs has yet to be seen. Consequently, researchers still face high publishing costs. Additionally, evidence from existing consortia suggests that underutilization of resources remains an issue, particularly in institutions with limited research output or expertise. Ensuring meaningful usage will require robust training, continuous awareness campaigns, integrated discovery tools, and national-level analytics to guide allocation and engagement strategies.

Do you believe ONOS will improve access to scholarly resources across Indian institutions? Why or why not?

There is no doubt that ONOS fundamentally strengthens access to scholarly resources across Indian higher education and research institutions. I am confident that its impact will be transformative, provided it is managed adaptively.

By offering near-universal access to core international journals, ONOS has closed the historical gap between well-funded metropolitan universities (like CFTIs) and institutions in rural or underserved regions. This immediate access is already driving a stronger research culture, supporting new grants and collaborations, enhancing teaching, streamlining literature reviews, and improving graduate and faculty performance. For Indian researchers and students, ONOS enables engagement with global scientific frontiers, which is critical for world-class innovation and for accelerating India’s rise as a research powerhouse.

Yet, several limitations must be acknowledged for its long-term sustainability and depth of impact. First, the global research environment is rapidly moving toward Open Access. Over half of newly published articles are already OA, while major economies are enforcing mandatory public access policies. Studies show that OA publications are downloaded 3–4 times more, cited twice as often, attract 4.5 times more media attention, and reach nearly four times as many readers compared to subscription-based articles. This significantly enhances academic visibility, accelerates knowledge dissemination, and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.

Currently, ONOS focuses primarily on publicly funded institutions, leaving private universities, independent scholars, and industry researchers excluded unless expansion strategies are introduced. Furthermore, access alone does not guarantee increased research output; utilization depends on institutional research culture, technical support, and staff competencies.

To ensure ONOS’s long-term success, a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy is essential. This should include substantial investment in advanced analytics to enable evidence-based resource allocation, as well as targeted capacity-building initiatives for both faculty and library staff. It is crucial to ensure alignment with evolving national research data and open science policies, while also implementing performance-linked incentives that promote high-impact usage of ONOS resources. Expanding coverage through the phased inclusion of private universities and independent researchers can further maximize national benefits. Regular and systematic reviews should be established, incorporating periodic cost-effectiveness audits and renegotiations with publishers based on usage data and shifting research priorities. Ongoing training and support for institutions will help maximize effective use of ONOS resources. To foster greater research output, ONOS should allocate additional funding to support Indian researchers in publishing in Open Access journals, reducing the burden of exorbitant Article Processing Charges (APCs). Additionally, the government should prioritize investment in strengthening India’s academic publishing industry by improving the quality of local journals and repositories. Implementing a nationwide rights retention policy, similar to the open access policies at institutions like Harvard, would allow researchers to deposit their work in Indian institutional repositories. Finally, instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all subscription approach, ONOS should introduce flexible access models that cater to the diverse needs of different institutions.

ONOS is a bold, forward-looking initiative with the potential to become a global model for equitable access and research-driven development. However, its true legacy will depend on sustained adaptation and integration of international best practices, particularly in areas like open access, indigenous publishing, and broader sectoral inclusiveness.

What are your thoughts or opinions on the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)?

The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative is a commendable and forward-looking policy move by the Government of India aimed at democratizing access to scholarly literature across the country. The concept aligns with global trends of collective bargaining, equitable access, and national-level knowledge dissemination. By negotiating subscriptions to major academic publishers at the national level, India can ensure that researchers, faculty, and students—regardless of institutional wealth or status—have access to high-quality academic content.

However, while the intention is strong and necessary, execution will be the key. Issues like fair representation of disciplines and licensing models (read vs read-and-publish) must be carefully managed to avoid unintended consequences.

Do you see ONOS as beneficial, challenging, or a mix of both for your library? Why?

Benefits:

• Cost Efficiency: Libraries, especially in state universities and smaller institutions, will benefit from reduced or no subscription costs for high-value journals.
• Content Equality: Users will have access to a uniform set of scholarly resources, regardless of an institution's budget.
• Improved Research Output: Access to quality content will enhance research quality, especially in underfunded or regional institutions.

Challenges:

• Implementation Gap and Digital Divide: While ONOS offers centralized access to a vast array of scholarly resources, its impact may be uneven due to India’s infrastructural disparities. Institutions in rural or underfunded regions may struggle with inadequate internet connectivity, outdated computer systems, and low levels of digital literacy. These factors contribute to a digital divide, creating a gap between access and actual usage. Even when resources are technically available, the lack of trained personnel, user support, and awareness campaigns can severely limit effective utilization.
• Article Processing Charges (APCs) and Research Equity: If ONOS negotiations prioritize read-only access over read-and-publish models, researchers—especially from smaller institutions—may still face barriers to publishing their work in high-impact journals due to high APCs. This may reinforce existing inequalities in research output and visibility. Without including APC waivers or subsidies as part of the ONOS framework, the “access to read” success may not translate into “equity in publishing.”.

Do you believe ONOS will improve access to scholarly resources across Indian institutions? Why or why not?

Yes, ONOS has the potential to significantly improve access to scholarly resources across Indian Institutions.

Why it could work:

• Equity in Access: It will bridge the gap between well-funded and resource strapped institutions.
• National Negotiation Power: India can negotiate better terms and lower prices with publishers, improving value for money.
• Aligned with NEP 2020: The initiative supports the National Education Policy’s emphasis on research and knowledge democratization.

Why it might fall short (if not addressed):

• Selection Bias: If the subscribed resources reflect the needs of only elite institutions, others may not benefit equally.
• Lack of Awareness and Training: Simply providing access does not guarantee effective use unless accompanied by user training, outreach, and content discoverability support.
• Infrastructure Divide: Institutions with poor internet connectivity or limited digital infrastructure might not be able to utilize the resources fully.

In conclusion, ONOS is a promising step toward inclusive research and educational development in India. However, its success will depend on careful planning and active participation from the library community, and continuous assessment post-implementation.

What are your thoughts or opinions on the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)?

For a state-supported university like ours, ONOS has been a truly positive development. Managing the ever-increasing subscription costs within our modest budget had been a significant challenge. After the reduction of resources under eShodhSindhu, self-subscribing to essential resources was far from easy. With ONOS, the scope of access has expanded considerably, and we wholeheartedly welcome this initiative of the Government.

Do you see ONOS as beneficial, challenging, or a mix of both for your library? Why?

Yes, I find ONOS to be beneficial. In terms of extending access to high-quality primary research resources for all academic institutions, its objective has been successfully achieved. However, when it comes to the gradual transition from paid subscriptions to open access—which should be the long-term goal—the issue of Article Processing Charge (APC) token subscriptions presents a challenge. Currently, while ONOS subscriptions are negotiated by central agency, individual institutions are approached separately for APC tokens. This creates a disconnect. Ideally, both subscriptions and APC negotiations should be handled by the same governing body to ensure consistency and efficiency.

Do you believe ONOS will improve access to scholarly resources across Indian institutions? Why or why not?

I completely agree that initiatives like ONOS significantly improve access across Indian institutions. While there may be some concerns about institutional autonomy, as institutes now need to work within the resources provided, the larger benefit of wider access is undeniable. From what we hear, the plans for phases 2 and 3 are highly ambitious and aim to extend these benefits to the maximum number of institutions and users.

What are your thoughts or opinions on the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)?

The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) is a very useful initiative because it gives researchers, students, and faculty members access to a wide range of international journals and academic resources from major publishers. This creates equal opportunities for everyone, as it is often difficult for individual institutions, especially smaller and state level institutions to afford such expensive subscriptions on their own. It also helps improve the quality of research and teaching, as the academic community can now access the latest information and discoveries published in these journals. However, for it to be more effective, there should be regular updates, clear communication about the resources, and strong technical support to ensure smooth access across all institutions. Overall, ONOS is a positive step toward improving research and education in India.

Do you see ONOS as beneficial, challenging, or a mix of both for your library? Why?

ONOS is largely beneficial for our library. The biggest advantage is the wide access it provides to thousands of journals across multiple disciplines, which is especially valuable for a multidisciplinary institute like ours. It also reduces subscription costs, allowing us to utilize funds to databases, books, or other research support activities. Centralized negotiations save staff time and ensure that we have equal access to the same core resources as larger institutions. However, there are some practical challenges, such as coverage is not always complete, as certain titles, or back files may fall outside the ONOS initiative. Overall, with proper integration, promotion, and monitoring, ONOS is positive for our library.

Do you believe ONOS will improve access to scholarly resources across Indian institutions? Why or why not?

Yes, ONOS can greatly improve access as it removes cost barriers and gives all institutions big or small equal access to core journals. This will raise teaching and research quality nationwide. However, its long-term success, depends on clear coverage, smooth access, and support in terms of technical infrastructure to fill any gaps.