India’s One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) Plan

Syllabus: 

GS 2:

  • Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.
  • Various Schemes

Why in the News?

The Union Cabinet approved India’s One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) scheme on November 25. This ambitious initiative aims to provide equitable access to scholarly journals across all public institutions, addressing the financial barriers to research access.

India's One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) Plan  

What Does the ONOS Entail?

  • Equitable research access: ONOS promises to democratize knowledge by granting equal access to journals, regardless of an institution’s prestige or funding.
  • Financial outlay: ₹6,000 crore will be paid to 30 major international journal publishers, compared to the current annual public expenditure of ₹1,500-2,000 crore.
  • Broader reach: By integrating all public institutions, ONOS eliminates disparities in access, fostering a more inclusive research ecosystem.
  • Implementation timeline: The funds are allocated for 2025-2027, raising questions about the scheme’s relevance beyond this period.

Is ONOS Swimming Against the Tide?

  • Shift towards open access (OA): The global research ecosystem increasingly adopts OA models, with over 53% of papers now freely accessible.
  • Rising OA policies: Initiatives like the S. mandate for free access to publicly funded research by 2026 and Horizon Europe’s OA requirements question the financial prudence of ONOS.
  • Economic concerns: With OA gaining ground, ONOS may unnecessarily drain taxpayer funds to sustain an outdated subscription-based model.
  • COVID-19 lessons: The pandemic underscored the importance of free access to research for combating misinformation and enabling informed decision-making.

Challenges of Commercial Publishing

  • Excessive costs: Western publishers dominate the market with exorbitant fees, making research access unaffordable for many institutions.
  • Profit-driven model: Publishers profit from publicly funded research, often charging for work supported by taxpayers without compensating researchers.
  • APC burden: High article processing charges (APCs) in gold OA models strain researchers, especially in developing countries like India.
  • Hybrid journals: Authors often pay APCs to publish OA in subscription journals, increasing overall costs.

Copyright and Intellectual Property Issues

  • Loss of rights: Researchers must transfer copyrights to publishers, allowing the latter to monetize the work without author consent.
  • AI training concerns: Recent controversies, like Taylor & Francis allowing Microsoft to use journal content for AI, highlight the need for policies to protect researcher rights.
  • Green OA potential: ONOS could emulate successful models like Harvard’s 2008 policy, enabling researchers to self-archive work in open repositories.
  • National OA policy: India’s 2014 policy mandates OA for publicly funded research but has seen poor implementation, which ONOS could strengthen.

Digital Content Preservation

  • Risks of online reliance: Around 28% of articles with unique identifiers lack proper preservation, exposing gaps in long-term access.
  • Journal closures: Discontinued journals risk rendering research inaccessible, as seen with Japan’s Heterocycles in 2023.
  • Self-archiving solutions: Encouraging researchers to use green OA practices can ensure uninterrupted access to scholarly content.

Self-Reliance in Scholarly Publishing

  • National priorities: India must focus on building an indigenous publishing ecosystem to reduce dependence on Western publishers.
  • Preprinting and data sharing: These practices can accelerate research dissemination and foster transparency in the publishing process.
  • Global standards: With investments in infrastructure and editorial excellence, Indian journals can achieve global recognition and attract high-quality submissions.

What Could ONOS Have Done?

  • Comprehensive reform: ONOS could have addressed systemic issues like copyright retention, OA implementation, and self-reliance in publishing.
  • Institutional repositories: Strengthening green OA and nationwide rights retention policies would enhance India’s global research visibility.
  • Innovative leadership: By fostering self-reliance, ONOS could position India as a leader in equitable and innovative scholarly publishing.

Conclusion

While ONOS is an ambitious step toward democratizing research access, it risks becoming a costly short-term solution without addressing deeper structural issues in scholarly publishing. A re-evaluation of its goals, aligned with global trends in open access and self-reliance, is essential for ensuring its long-term success and relevance.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Practice Question

Evaluate the potential of the One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS) scheme to democratize research access in India. Discuss its benefits and challenges in light of global trends in open access publishing.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/governments-one-nation-one-subscription-initiative-launched/