Institutional Repositories are tools to Promote Open Science in India: A Study of Central Universities

DOI- https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21451939

Abstract

The paradigm of scholarly communication has undergone a significant transformation with the emergence of Open Science, which emphasises transparency, accessibility, collaboration, and reproducibility of research. Institutional Repositories (IRs) have become central to this transformation by providing digital platforms for the collection, preservation, and dissemination of academic outputs. In India, the development of IRs has gained momentum with the support of national initiatives such as INFLIBNET, Shodhganga, and the National Digital Library of India (NDLI). This study critically examines the role of Institutional Repositories in promoting Open Science in India, with a specific focus on central universities in Uttar Pradesh. Using a descriptive and analytical methodology based on secondary data, the study evaluates the infrastructure, accessibility, content diversity, and usage patterns of IRs. The findings indicate that IRs significantly enhance research visibility, accessibility, and collaboration. However, challenges such as a lack of awareness, inadequate policies, limited technical infrastructure, and low participation levels hinder their effectiveness. The study concludes that strengthening institutional frameworks, improving digital infrastructure, and promoting awareness are essential for the impact of IRs in advancing Open Science in India.

Keywords:- Institutional Repositories, Open Science, Open Access, Uttar Pradesh, Digital Libraries, Scholarly Communication, INFLIBNET, Research Visibility, Knowledge Management.