Content:
- One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
- Lokpal Day Celebration on 16th January, 2025
One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Objective: Democratizing access to international scholarly journals for India’s academic and research communities.
Relevance: GS 2( Governance )
Highlights:
- Launch: Approved by Union Cabinet on 25th Nov 2024. Phase I begins 1st Jan 2025.
- Coverage:
- Over 13,000 journals from 30 international publishers.
- Benefits 1.8 Billion students, faculty, and researchers across 6,300 government academic and R&D institutions.
- Vision Alignment: Supports ViksitBharat@2047 for India’s self–reliance and global leadership in research.
Core Features:
Inclusive Access:
- Ensures equitable knowledge access for institutions in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
- Covers diverse disciplines: STEM, Medicine, Social Sciences, and more.
Centralized Management:
- Handled by INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network) under UGC.
- Digital platform for seamless access and distribution.
Financial Strategy:
- ₹6,000crore allocated for three years (2025–2027).
- Annual ₹150 crore for Article Processing Charges (APCs) in selected Open Access journals.
Global Participation:
- Discounts on APCs to enable Indian researchers to publish in reputed journals.
Implementation Details:
- Phase I establishes infrastructure and central payments for subscriptions.
- Insights from Phase I will guide future phases.
Synergy with Existing Initiatives:
- Complements Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
- Enhances R&D by linking with consortia from 10 central government ministries.
Significance:
- Democratizes Knowledge: Brings world-class research resources to India’s academic community.
- Boosts Innovation: Strengthens research capabilities and positions India as a global R&D hub.
- Bridges Infrastructure Gaps: Empowers researchers across rural and urban areas equally.
ONOS is a transformative step toward enhancing India’s research ecosystem, fostering innovation, and preparing for a knowledge-driven future.
Lokpal Day Celebration on 16th January 2025
Context:
- Establishment of Lokpal:
- Lokpal of India was officially constituted on 16th January 2014, following the notification under Section 1(4) of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
- To commemorate this, 16th January has been designated as Lokpal Day, starting from 16th January 2025.
Relevance : GS 2(Polity)
- Objective of Lokpal Day:
- Celebrate the establishment of India’s ombudsman body.
- Reflect on its role in ensuring accountability and addressing corruption in governance.
- Recognize contributions of individuals and institutions promoting transparency and integrity.
Highlights of the Event:
Date and Venue:
- 16th January 2025, at Zorawar Auditorium, Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
Dignitaries Attending:
- Chief Guest: Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
- Guests include Judges of the Supreme Court, High Court Chief Justices, Legal Services Authorities, Lokayuktas, government officials, and heads of PSUs and banks.
Felicitations:
- Shri R Venkatramani (Attorney General of India).
- Justice N. Santosh Hegde (Former Judge of the Supreme Court).
- Shri Anna Hazare (Social Activist, Padma Bhushan awardee).
Agenda:
- Inaugural Address by the Chief Justice of India, discussing the Lokpal’s role and future prospects.
Lokpal: An Overview
Historical Significance:
- Emerged from the demand for anti-corruption measures led by Anna Hazare and the civil society movement in 2011-12.
- Aimed at creating an independent institution to address complaints against corruption in public offices.
Structure:
- The Lokpal consists of:Chairperson: Currently, Justice A. M. Khanwilkar, since March 2024.Members: Six members, including judicial and non-judicial experts.
Jurisdiction and Functions:
- Investigates complaints against publicservants, including those at the highestlevels (e.g., the Prime Minister with safeguards).
- Supervises corruption investigations by agencies like the CBI.
- Ensures transparency in public administration.
Significance of Lokpal Day:
Awareness and Accountability:
- Highlights the role of the Lokpal as an anti-corruption body.
- Reinforces the importance of accountability in public administration.
Institutional Strengthening:
- Encourages collaboration with Lokayuktas, legal authorities, and other stakeholders.
- Promotes a unified approach to tackling corruption at state and central levels.
Recognition of Contributions:
- Acknowledges individuals and institutions committed to transparency and ethical governance.
Way Forward:
- Discussions on challenges and strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the Lokpal.
- Emphasis on better coordination with investigative agencies and improving the grievance redressal system.
Conclusion:
The inaugural Lokpal Day is a landmark occasion to reaffirm India’s commitment to fighting corruption and promoting good governance. By reflecting on its role and fostering discussions about its challenges, the Lokpal aims to strengthen public trust in institutions and pave the way for greater accountability and transparency in the years to come.
