'One Nation, One Subscription' policy

Science Affairs Institutional Structure

05-Jan-21

Context: The 'One Nation, One Subscription' policy for scientific journals could be proved a game changer for the scientific community and individual researchers.
About One Nation, One Subscription' policy

It is an open data policy that will make information generated by all publicly funded research, including its results, freely accessible to everyone.
The government will buy bulk subscriptions of all the important scientific journals across the world.
Everyone in India will be provided free access to all these scientific journals.
The proposals have been made in the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP).
The Ministry of Science and Technology, will set up a new Science, Technology and Innovation Observatory which will serve as a central repository for all kinds of data generated from research in India.
In cases of privacy, national security of intellectual property rights, anonymised and/or redacted data” will still be provided.
Even in cases where it cannot be released to the general public, genuine researchers would be given access to it.
The libraries of all publicly-funded institutions are proposed to be made accessible to general public subject to reasonable security protocols.
The policy also talks about promoting the goal of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in the field of science and technology.
A two-way approach of indigenous development of technology as well as technology indigenisation will be adopted.
Greater emphasis will be given on promoting traditional knowledge systems, developing indigenous technologies and encouraging grassroots innovations.

Inclusion and equity in the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

Main focus area: Women and the youth
At least 30 % representation for women in all decision-making bodies, as well as “spousal benefits” be provided to partners of scientists belonging to the LGBTQ+ community.
Removal of bars on married couples being employed in the same department or laboratory.
Dual recruitment policy will be encouraged in all governing bodies, funding agencies, so that couples do not face the challenge of ‘choosing’ a spouse’s career over theirs. It will bring gender neutrality.
The “academic age” and not the biological age would be considered for matters relating to selection, promotion, awards or grants. The provision is not limited to women alone.
Child-care benefits are proposed to be made gender-neutral, and flexible work timings and adequate parental leave to cater to maternity, childbirth and child care.
All publicly-funded research institutions and universities will be asked to provide day-care centre for children of employees, and also have a provision for elderly care.
All publicly-funded scientific institutions need to make structural and cultural changes to support physically abled persons’ inclusion.
Academic and professional organisations will be encouraged to conduct gender audits and social audits, to propel the organisations to proactively promote gender-neutral recruitment.