Indian Higher Education Under One Nation One Subscription (ONOS): An Innovative Conceptual Framework

Abstract

The One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) program is an initiative of the Indian government with a budget of Rs. 6,000 crores over three years to democratise access to high-quality academic resources in higher education, as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, fulfilling the needs of Indians. In this study, the researcher conducted a literaturebased analysis to explore the theoretical underpinnings of ONOS as a concept, its significance, merits, demerits, and, finally, its probable impact on Indian higher education. Although ONOS is a centralised scheme, it will definitely provide increased access to academic resources, resulting in more interdisciplinary research nationwide and a reduction in library household activity related to the acquisition and processing of journals. On the other side, it causes concerns about compatibility with existing systems, viability of the traditional subscription model, widespread prevalence of the digital divide, complexity related to negotiating with publishers, and complex licensing agreements leading to copyright violations, which could be detrimental factors for the success of the ONOS policy model. However, ONOS can serve as a model for other countries, and further studies should monitor its long-term impact, including its effect on academic productivity and related outcomes.