Act now

Millions of Indian students, independent researchers, and teachers rely on online platforms like Sci-Hub and LibGen to access scientific literature. These platforms have been a lifeline for those who cannot afford expensive journal subscriptions.

However, recent legal actions by the Delhi High Court threaten to block these resources, putting the academic freedom and right to education of financially disadvantaged students at risk.

Why This Matters

• Right to Education: Access to knowledge is a fundamental part of education. Blocking these platforms disproportionately harms underprivileged communities.

• Economic Inequality: Academic journals are often prohibitively expensive. Many students and researchers cannot access critical research without these platforms.

• National Progress: Restricting access slows India’s research and innovation in areas like medicine, technology, and environmental science.

• Global Standards: Many countries are adopting open-access policies for publicly funded research. India should follow suit rather than restrict access.

Our Appeal

We urge the Supreme Court of India and the Government of India to:

1. Ensure that any court order does not restrict the right to knowledge and education.

2. Promote open-access policies for all publicly funded research.

3. Provide affordable or free national-level access to academic journals.

4. Recognize Sci-Hub, LibGen, and similar platforms as educational resources, at least until alternative free access mechanisms are in place.

What We Are requesting

1. Reconsider the Blocking Order:
   We urge the authorities to reconsider any decision to block Sci-Hub, LibGen, or similar platforms, which millions of students and independent researchers rely on for education and scientific research.

2. Develop Affordable Access Solutions:

   • University/College Email IDs: Provide every student with an institutional email ID that grants access to journal subscriptions through their university or college.

   • National-Level Subscriptions: Negotiate agreements with publishers to create affordable, country-wide subscription models, ensuring fair access for all students and researchers.

   • Expand Open-Access Initiatives: Support and fund open-access publishing to make research freely available to independent researchers, small institutions, and the general public.

3. Protect India’s Research and Youth:
   Ensure that the nation’s youth and research community are not deprived of access to global knowledge, which is critical for innovation, development, and academic growth.

Copy to Concerned Authorities

• Ministry of Education (MoE)

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

• Department of Science & Technology (DST)

• University Grants Commission (UGC)

• Department of Telecommunications (DoT)

• Ministry of Law & Justice

Take Action

Your support matters. By signing and sharing this petition, you help protect the academic rights of millions of Indian students and researchers. Knowledge is a right, not a privilege.