One Nation, One Subscription: Navigating India’s Expanding Research Landscape
A Strategic Opportunity for Global Publishers
As India continues to evolve its education and research ecosystem, the door is open wide for international publishers. What was once considered a complex and uncertain market is now emerging as a hub of opportunity thanks to policy reforms, a surge in research output, and the government’s strong support for public-private collaboration.
In a recent discussion hosted by publishing consultant Tracy Gardner, Yogesh Zope and Rikshit Chopra from KGL Accucoms shared their perspectives on India’s ambitions to grow its research landscape and what this means for publishers hoping to engage with Indian institutions.
The Vision Behind ONOS
India’s transformation has been largely driven by the New Education Policy (NEP) and an ambitious national initiative known as One Nation, One Subscription (ONOS). This government-led plan aims to consolidate access to research materials for educational institutions across the country, ensuring that millions of students and researchers can access high-quality scholarly content.
Nearly 6,400 institutions across the country including Higher Educational Institutions i.e. central and state universities, colleges (including all medical colleges) and central government R&D institutions will benefit from ONOS. This translates to nearly millions of students, faculty and researchers across the country getting access to more than 13,000 journals from 30 publishers including the top 4 global publishers i.e. Elsevier, Springer-Nature, Taylor & Francis and Wiley.
As part of the recent Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act, the Government plans to seed and promote a vibrant research culture in the tier-2 and tier-3 higher educational institutions.
Through ONOS, many such institutions will begin to get access to journals, which is a necessity for doing research. Under ONOS, the govt. has negotiated for national licenses for e-journal subscriptions with 30 publishers, thus consolidating various consortia/institutional subscriptions. In addition to the above, it is also planned to have a consolidated central funding to support Indian authors to pay for APCs for good quality OA journals.
Yogesh Zope, who has been closely involved with ONOS since its early stages, explained its origins:
“The entire idea came 5–6 years back when the new education policy was being discussed. A lot of thought was put in by expert researchers and the scientific community on how the future of India should look in terms of research and educational output.”
The government recognized that without equal access to information across India, regional and institutional disparities would continue. ONOS was designed to correct this imbalance and to give equal access to information across the country.
“There was one thought – why don’t we bring one consortia together to ensure that millions of people get access to research content in one place?” said Zope. “This was not just about convenience; it was about improving India’s research output at a national level.”
From Concept to Commitment
In practical terms, ONOS represents a significant investment by the Indian government in research and research infrastructure. But it also reflects a broader shift in priorities and vision – there is great support for public-private partnerships and an emphasis on long-term quality and productivity in academic output.
“The investment will be huge in future,” Zope emphasized. “A lot of encouragement is being given by the government to both public and private players to come together.”
He noted that these partnerships are not just about the money however, they support the aim to expand institutional reach and improve research standards:
“The goal is to increase the number of institutions, improve the quality of education, and invest in qualitative and productive research.”
This government-led strategy supports local research infrastructure but also creates opportunities for international publishers, particularly those aligned with India’s educational and research goals.
The road to implementation of ONOS
The concept and vision of ONOS is admirable. However, the road to implementation has not been without hurdles. As Rikshit Chopra explained, the transition to ONOS created temporary uncertainty for institutions and publishers alike.
“During the years when ONOS was being discussed but not yet finalized, the Government of India asked institutions to put all subscription renewals on hold,” Chopra said. “This meant that for about two years, many renewals were delayed or dropped entirely while decisions were pending. It was an anxious time for many publishers”
This freeze in renewals during 2023–24 led some publishers to misinterpret the delay as a shrinking market or a loss of interest in international content. In reality, it was a structural shift, just a planning period before a massive expansion.
“It has taken a while to get here, but now, from 2025 onwards, it’s a great time to be in India,” Chopra said. “We’ve seen a lot of positive changes, and with the right partner who understands this market, knows all the key players, and has access to all the communication channels, publishers can feel positive about the opportunities.
Why India Needs More Publishers
For publishers unsure about how to approach the Indian market, or perhaps concerned that all business in India is now tied up with ONOS and if they are not part of the deal, they have missed out on the opportunity, both Zope and Chopra offered reassurance. They emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships and localized communication and to focus on what they, as publishers can offer to meet India’s ambitious vision.
For international publishers, this means understanding both the regulatory landscape and the institutional needs on the ground. Whether working via a partner or with a sales team direct on the ground, garnering good relationships with universities, research bodies, and government agencies will enable publishers to expand thoughtfully—and effectively.
The Promise of a Growing Research Economy
Underlying all of this is one essential truth: India’s research output is growing—and its appetite for high-quality academic content is growing with it.
Chopra pointed out that Indian researchers are already contributing significantly to global journals, whether via Open Access or traditional publishing models. The goal now is to increase visibility and accessibility of that content, while also ensuring that Indian institutions can easily access international research.
“Whether you’re a subscription-based publisher or an Open Access provider, India is becoming increasingly receptive,” he said. “The ecosystem is ready. What’s needed now is for publishers to come in with the right partners, the right content and the right strategy.”
A Market Ready to Be Engaged
The alignment between government policy, institutional readiness, and partner expertise is setting the stage for a period of significant expansion in academic publishing in India. What lies ahead is a vast and growing market – one that values meaningful partnerships, inclusive access, and high-quality content.
Some publishers are concerned that if they missed out on ONOS then they have missed out on an opportunity, but this does not appear to be the case. ONOS has actually freed up university budgets to be able to pursue their own deals with the investment in research and the commitment from the government, this is a great time to be doing business in India.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Global Publishers
India’s transformation from a complex, decentralized market into a coordinated, opportunity-rich environment for research publishers is well underway. With the support of ONOS, public-private partnerships, and experienced local intermediaries, publishers now have a clear and sustainable path to entry.
For those willing to engage thoughtfully, invest in long-term relationships, and align with India’s educational mission, the rewards may be substantial.
As Zope put it:
“There are a lot of good, positive opportunities in the Indian market for the future. We are here to ensure that both existing and new stakeholders are supported with the best possible opportunities.”
In conclusion, India is not just open for business, it is actively inviting it.
First published in Research Information:
Navigating India’s expanding research landscape – Research Information