Consortium based Subscription

University Grants Commission (UGC) has initiated a programme called �The UGC-Infonet E-Journals Consortium� to provide online access to electronic journals and databases in all disciplines to the universities in India. All universities which come under the purview of UGC will be beneficiary members of the programme. The scheme would be gradually extended to colleges as well. The programme is being executed by Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre, Ahmedabad, an autonomous institution under the UGC. Access to various electronic resources have formally commenced from January 1, 2004, initially for 30 universities.

The programme aims at increasing accessibility of electronic resources to the universities. It will go a long way in mitigating the severe shortage of periodicals faced by university libraries for several years. The E-Journals programme is a cornerstone of the UGC-INFONET effort, which aims at addressing the teaching, learning, research, connectivity and governance requirements of the universities. The effort was announced by the Hon�ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the network was activated by the Hon�ble Minister for Human Resources Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, at the inauguration of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the UGC on December 28, 2002 at New Delhi. The E-Journals programme demonstrates how communication networks and computers can be used to stretch and leverage available funds in furthering these aims. The programme has been made possible due to the close and understanding cooperation between the UGC, ERNET, the Inter-University Centres IUCAA, INFLIBNET and CEC, and national and international publishers. A bouquet of e-journals were presented to the nation by His Excellency the President of India Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam on 28th December 2003 during the concluding day of UGC�s Golden Jubilee Celebrations.