Wide Reach: Benefits for Over 6,300 Institutions
With a budget allocation of Rs 6,000 crore for the period 2025–2027, ONOS will benefit over 6,300 institutions including universities, research organizations, and colleges across India. “This scheme is not just about reducing costs. It’s about democratizing research access and ensuring that researchers, regardless of their institutional affiliation or location, have the resources they need to succeed,” said Prof. Tiwari.
Notably, the scheme is particularly advantageous for institutions in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, where access to international research journals has often been limited due to financial constraints. With ONOS, researchers from these regions will have equal access to the same high-quality resources as their counterparts in larger cities. The scheme will leverage a fully digital platform coordinated by INFLIBNET, which will ensure convenient and unrestricted access to the 13,000 e-journals.
Quality assurance of ONOS journals
The quality and relevance of e-journals accessed through ONOS are crucial for fostering impactful research and ensuring accurate knowledge dissemination. The University Grants Commission chairman, Mamadila Jagadesh Kumar, in an exclusive interview with The Times of India said, “The 13,000 e-journals accessible through ONOS will be sourced from 30 major international publishers with established reputations for quality and rigour. These publishers adhere to strict academic standards and peer-review processes, ensuring the credibility and reliability of the research published in their journals.”
He also highlighted that there could be a difference in the quality of individual publications. “We encourage institutions and researchers to critically evaluate their journals, considering impact factors, peer-review processes, and relevance to their research areas. Let us promote responsible research practices and help researchers identify the most suitable and impactful publications for their work through ONOS,” he added.
ONOS: How this scheme will encourage interdisciplinary research
According to the UGC Chairman, ONOS enables researchers to access journals that extend beyond their specific areas of expertise. “This exposure to diverse perspectives and methodologies can spark new ideas and lead to innovative research approaches beyond disciplinary boundaries,” he said. ONOS creates a unified platform for information access, fostering dialogue and collaborative efforts among researchers to tackle complex, interdisciplinary questions with a shared pool of resources. “The collaborative spirit is essential for addressing complex challenges that require expertise from multiple disciplines,” observed the UGC Chairman.
Monitoring, Feedback, and Sustainability
The ONOS initiative will be rigorously monitored to assess its effectiveness. According to Kumar, a data-driven approach will be used to track publication rates, citation impact, and collaborative research to evaluate the scheme’s success. Feedback from users will be crucial in continuously improving the platform. The Rs 6,000 crore budget will be managed centrally to ensure efficient resource allocation, and steps will be taken to negotiate favorable subscription terms with publishers for long-term sustainability.
Transforming India’s Research Ecosystem
By providing access to a wealth of academic resources, ONOS aims to place India at the forefront of global research and innovation. This initiative will not only enhance India’s academic presence globally but also contribute to the country’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
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