The debate over access to scientific knowledge has intensified in 2025. The Delhi High Court’s order blocking free access sites such as SciHub and Libgen sparked widespread discussion. These platforms provided crucial resources to students and researchers in resource-limited regions. The ruling, based on copyright infringement claims by major academic publishers, marks a global tension between profit-driven publishing and the right to knowledge.
India’s Position in Global Research
India ranks fourth globally in the number of PhD graduates. Many come from universities that lack subscriptions to expensive journals. PhD students need to read hundreds of papers, but the cost of accessing them online ranges from $20 to $3,000. Stipends of ₹20,000-35,000 per month make such expenses impossible. This creates a barrier to knowledge for many researchers in India and other Global South countries.
Academic Publishing and Copyright Issues
Academic publishing is dominated by a few large companies controlling 40% of the market. These publishers do not create or review content but profit from the unpaid work of researchers. Copyright laws are used to block free access sites, limiting knowledge to those who can afford it. The real question is whether the publishers or the users are committing theft, given the public funding behind most research.
Impact on Health and Medicine in the Global South
Access to scientific papers is vital for addressing health challenges in the Global South. Diseases like drug-resistant tuberculosis and antimicrobial-resistant HIV require ongoing research and tailored treatment plans. Two-thirds of TB cases occur in eight Global South countries where access to effective treatment is limited. Organisations such as Médecins Sans Frontières witness the urgent need for accessible knowledge to save lives.
Open Access and Knowledge as a Commons
Knowledge should not be a luxury. The current system treats knowledge as a commodity, prioritising profits over public good. Open access initiatives aim to make scientific information freely available. UNESCO’s 2021 international framework on open science promotes transparency and cooperation. Yet, paywalls and corporate control persist, creating artificial scarcity of knowledge that should be a shared resource.
Representation and Equity in Research
Researchers from the Global South are under-represented in academic authorship. Often, they serve as field assistants while conceptual and analytical work is done by those in the Global North. This imbalance skews research priorities and language, marginalising local knowledge and needs. Greater inclusion of Global South researchers is essential for equitable and relevant scientific progress.
Collective Responsibility and Future Directions
The Global South faces multiple crises including climate disasters, violence, and health emergencies. Addressing these requires collaboration among governments, scientists, and innovators. Pressure must be applied on publishers and policymakers to dismantle paywalls. Recognising science as a collective endeavour and knowledge as a commons is crucial for global equity and sustainable development.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the impact of copyright laws on access to scientific knowledge in developing countries and its implications for research and innovation.
- Examine the role of open access policies in promoting global scientific cooperation and how they can address health challenges in the Global South.
- Analyse the consequences of under-representation of Global South researchers in international academic publishing and suggest measures to improve inclusivity.
- Estimate the effects of restricted access to scientific research on public health outcomes and economic development in low-income countries.
