Access to quality academic resources remains a significant challenge for students and researchers, especially in India’s remote regions

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 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 has not been democratised in India till now.

Libraries in most colleges and universities face an alarming decline for various reasons. The lack of interest among younger generations in visiting libraries and shrinking funds has exacerbated this crisis. 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 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 democratising 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 modernise 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 recognised as a fundamental right, not a privilege. To fully realise the potential of this initiative, it is essential that the government ensures access to these resources for every student.

(The writer is an adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies; views are personal)