One Nation, One Subscription: All About Rs 6,000 Crore Scheme for Easy Access to Academic Journals and Articles

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the transformative "One Nation One Subscription" initiative aimed at democratizing access to scholarly research across India. This Central Sector Scheme will provide nationwide access to research articles and journal publications for government higher education institutions and central R&D laboratories through a seamless, fully digital platform. The initiative promises to improve the nation's academic and research environment by creating a unified and efficient system.

With an allocation of Rs 6,000 crore for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027, this scheme aims to enhance higher education and research in India. It builds upon previous initiatives to enhance educational quality and aims to create a more inclusive research ecosystem. This comprehensive subscription facility will complement efforts under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), promoting a culture of innovation and discovery across universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D labs under central governance.

The scheme's benefits will extend to over 6,300 institutions, impacting nearly 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers. A centralized subscription coordinated by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous inter-university UGC center, will ensure access to world-class scholarly journals. This accessibility will empower students and researchers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, encouraging both core and interdisciplinary research in diverse fields.

Aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 and the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, this initiative addresses critical gaps in academic resources. It will not only boost research output but also ensure that Indian authors and institutions periodically review and optimize their engagement with scholarly publications. A unified online portal under the Department of Higher Education will simplify access to journals, ensuring user-friendly navigation for all stakeholders.

To maximize awareness and utilization of this facility, the government plans extensive outreach through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns targeting students, faculty, and researchers. State governments will also be involved in spreading awareness at local levels, amplifying the initiative’s impact nationwide.

By bridging gaps in access to scholarly resources, the "One Nation One Subscription" scheme represents a pivotal step towards making India a global leader in education and research.