One Nation One Subscription: A Step Towards Bridging Educational Inequality

Dr. BIJU DHARMAPALAN

Access to quality resource materials remains a critical challenge for students and research scholars, particularly in the remote corners of India. While the digital age has transformed the way information is disseminated, physical libraries continue to be the cornerstone of academic excellence. Yet, these essential knowledge hubs are increasingly becoming relics of the past, accessible only to a privileged few associated with national institutions and selected universities. So far, every agency in the country has subscribed for their own digital library resources,  UGC have INFLIBNET, which is available in selected universities and colleges, CSIR and DST institutions have the National Knowledge Resource Consortium (NKRC); ICAR institutions have CeRA, etc, paying crores of rupees. In many cases, these e-resources are limited to the users of the host institute alone, though they are funded through public money. The ambitious One Nation One Subscription initiative, if implemented effectively, has the potential to address this disparity and revitalize the educational landscape.

 Despite technological advancements, access to quality academic resources is not democratized in India till now. Libraries in most colleges and universities face an alarming decline for various reasons, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of interest among younger generations in visiting libraries and shrinking funds has exacerbated this crisis. Even more troubling is the absence of qualified and motivated library professionals. An efficient librarian can transform a library into a vibrant intellectual space. Unfortunately, in many public institutions, mainly libraries associated with national institutions, library staff often lack the enthusiasm and interpersonal skills to create a welcoming environment for readers. This, in turn, alienates even the most genuine readers who, despite the odds, make the effort to visit libraries. A lack of support and an uninviting atmosphere can deter students and researchers from making libraries their go-to space for academic and intellectual pursuits, further eroding the library culture that is already under threat.

The One Nation One Subscription initiative aims to address these challenges by providing nationwide access to high-quality academic resources through a centralized system. By pooling resources and negotiating bulk subscriptions to international and national journals, databases, and e-books, the initiative can ensure that every student has the same knowledge regardless of geographic or economic constraints. What a student or scholar gets in a national institute will be available to a student in a university situated in a remote corner of the country. It’s democratizing the knowledge resource.

However, the success of this initiative depends on more than just access. India needs a parallel effort to rejuvenate its library ecosystem. Even in the digital age, physical libraries are irreplaceable as spaces for reflection and collaboration.  The Government should provide adequate funds to modernize the libraries and also take steps to recruit skilled, motivated librarians who understand the evolving needs of readers and can effectively manage digital and physical resources. To ensure inclusivity, The One Nation One Subscription must provide individual login credentials to every registered student and scholar, enabling direct access to resources anytime, anywhere. This would bypass traditional institutional gatekeeping and foster a more reader-friendly environment. Policymakers must ensure this ambitious plan does not falter due to a lack of implementation or neglect of complementary measures.

Knowledge is the cornerstone of progress, and access to it must be recognized as a fundamental right, not a privilege. One Nation One Subscription holds the promise of bridging the educational divide, fostering an equitable academic environment for all. To fully realize the potential of this initiative, it is essential that the government ensures access to these resources for every student, regardless of whether they are enrolled in public or private institutions, thereby capturing the true essence of inclusivity envisioned by the scheme.

 (Dr Biju Dharmapalan is the Dean (Academic Affairs) at Garden City University, Bangalore and an Adjunct Faculty at National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore. Views are personal. Email: bijudharmapalan@gmail.com)