Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet) – IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

Policy Update
Muskan Thakur

Background

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) rolled out KRCNet on 27 July 2020 as part of the Digital India initiative, converting its conventional libraries into networked Knowledge Resource Centres (KRCs).  Before its launch, access to scientific literature, research data, and technical documents across the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) was fragmented and inconsistent. Many libraries operated independently with varied cataloguing standards, limited interconnectivity, and restricted access hours.his made it difficult for researchers and policymakers to access relevant resources when needed. The absence of a unified platform hindered collaboration, data sharing, and timely decision-making – especially during critical situations like cyclones or oceanic disasters, where quick access to past research and real-time data is vital.

Recognizing these challenges, MoES launched the platform to standardize documentation and knowledge exchange using ISO-certified tools. It facilitates 24×7 single-point access to resources across MoES institutes, supports data-driven policymaking through tools such as bibliometrics and big data analytics, and enhances digital literacy by providing training on e-journals, databases, and analytical tools – addressing the inefficiencies and barriers that previously limited research, collaboration, and informed decision-making 

Functioning

KRCNet is a shared virtual space that harmonizes the libraries of MoES institutions to facilitate easy discovery and exchange of knowledge for researchers, students, and policymakers. It operates on the Koha Library Management System, which provides a shared standard for cataloging and sharing resources across institutions. Mirror servers ensure the system’s reliability, while a central portal harmonizes all digital content in a single place for easy discovery. Internal analytics indicate what is being utilized and assist in guiding improved planning. Occasional workshops and training ensure that researchers, faculty, and students can utilize e-resources to their full potential. Thus, KRCNet unites robust infrastructure with capacity building to develop an easy, trustworthy, and collaborative knowledge network throughout MoES.

Challenges

Notwithstanding its potential, KRCNet faces several challenges that limit its growth and effectiveness:

1. Infrastructure and Integration: The deployment of the Koha Library Management System has been delayed compared to the anticipated rate, with fewer than a few MoES centres integrated by 2021-22. Due to this limited adoption, the system is still far from being fully integrated as an extension of the platform (DMEO, 2021).
2. Financial Transparency: Budget items specifically for KRCNet are not well defined in publicly available documents. The failure to define budget items makes it challenging to carry out effective cost-benefit analysis or determine if the platform delivers value for money.
3. Digital Divide: ICT infrastructure is still uneven across MoES institutes, particularly in smaller or regional centres. The disparity has resulted in unequal access and usage, jeopardizing the principle of accessible and equitable access (PIB, 2020).
4. Human Resource Shortfalls: Most institutions lack sufficiently trained personnel for activities like digital cataloging, data handling, and analytics. Such a shortage renders it difficult to completely exploit KRCNet’s technological potential (MoES, 2022).
5. Copyright and Licensing Restrictions: Securing reasonable access to cost-effective proprietary journals and databases remains problematic. Consequently, high-value scholarly materials continue to be in short supply (CSIR–DST, 2019).

Performance (2022–2025)

While publicly available statistics beyond 2021 are scarce, the initial period of KRCNet indicates promising trends in adoption and utilization. Statistics from official records indicate the platform’s initial momentum:

These metrics show that KRCNet started contributing substantial engagement in its nascent stage, with actual utilization of subscribed materials and a visible knowledge-sharing trail.

Gaps:

Though these are encouraging statistics, there are critical gaps. Current performance data – e.g., coverage of institutes beyond the first three, trends in user additions, and expenditures are not present in the public space. Primary government repositories like the Economic Survey, MoES MIS dashboards, CAG reports, and recent MoES annual reports give little or no current data on KRCNet’s progress. This lack of transparency is restraining the capacity to determine if the platform is scaling well, reaching its target audience, or providing meaningful returns on  public spending.

Impact

Though a full review of KRCNet is still underway, its preliminary results already have tremendous potential for MoES institutions:

1. Equal Access to Knowledge: Through KRCNet, researchers, students, and policymakers across India, in big cities or small towns, can enjoy access to good quality digital resources 24×7 without the need to access physical libraries solely.
2. Smarter Policy and Research: By tracking what resources are being used the most through the implementation of analytics, KRCNet can help direct wiser policies, investment decisions, and research priorities, ultimately leading to improved outcomes.
3. Building Digital Trust: Users are becoming more familiar through training workshops and sessions, as these events are improving research skills and connecting them with international benchmarks.
4. Part of a Larger Vision: KRCNet is part of India’s larger vision of Digital India, National Education Policy 2020 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat by creating an indigenous, open and tech-driven network of knowledge.
5. Looking Ahead: The Latest evidence of its success is anecdotal. To actually measure impact, India will need systematic data on outcomes like the quality of research, collaboration and user satisfaction. Having strong mechanisms for evaluation in place will be crucial to safeguard KRCNet’s role as a backbone of India’s science and technology ecosystem.

Emerging Issues

While promising, KRCNet also has several challenges that need to be addressed for its full potential to be actualized:

1. Low Rate of Utilization of the Platform: Early results show lukewarm adoption, with only approximately 10,000 visitors during 2021–22 (DMEO, 2021). This shows low user awareness or otherwise a lack of strong incentives compelling user onboarding.
2. Weak Monitoring and Reporting: It is barely featured in ministry documents or the Economic Survey, which shows poor tracking and visibility.
3. Sustainability Issues: In the absence of well-defined performance standards, assessment models, or independent audits, uncertainties surrounding the long-term sustainability of the initiative exist.
4. Vernacular Content Gaps: The content is primarily in English and the absence of regional language content constrains accessibility under NEP 2020 and Digital India.
5. Limited Integration with National Platforms: Not yet entirely integrated with bigger platforms such as the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) or Shodhganga, losing out on chances of wider coverage and cooperation.

Way Forward

To be able to fulfill its potential to the maximum, KRCNet’s path has to be a combination of vision and pragmatism. Not merely bridging the gaps currently present, the ultimate objective is to develop a system that will continue to be relevant and fruitful in the years to come.

1. Scaling the Network: KRCNet should be accessible to all the institutes of MoES, with timelines and milestones. By 2025, it should be part of the digital spine of the Ministry, enabling daily research and learning in all its institutions.
2. Building People’s Capability: People need to embrace technology. Faculty, researchers, and students need training, workshops, and orientation that illustrate how KRCNet benefits them. Surveys, case studies, and user stories will render the platform user-friendly and not top-down.
3. Learning from Data: KRCNet can generate useful information through tracking usage, user demographics, and research trends. End-of-year reports and live dashboards will provide transparency to progress and accountability, as well as give users a sense of pride to be part of its growth.
4. Guaranteeing Transparency: As a publicly funded entity, KRCNet has to present budget disbursement, spending, and cost-benefit results in an open format. It builds trust and shows that public investment is yielding practical effects.
5. Link with the Big Picture: KRCNet has to grow in synchrony with national priorities like NEP 2020, Digital India, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. By linking it up with other platforms, it can create a frictionless network of knowledge where knowledge travels freely across institutions and geographies, making access democratic in a real sense.

References

1. Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO). (2021). Monitoring & evaluation studies of DMEO, 2021: Guidelines for M&E studies & research papers/desk based research [PDF]. NITI Aayog, Government of India. https://dmeo.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-05/Monitoring_Evaluation_Studies_of_DMEO_Guidelines_2021.pdf
2. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). (2020, July 27). Launch of Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet) under Digital India initiative [Press release]. Government of India. https://www.moes.gov.in/sites/default/files/July_2020.pdf
3. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). (2021). Phenomenal achievements (2019–2021) [PDF]. Government of India. https://www.moes.gov.in/sites/default/files/Report_PHENOMENAL%20ACHIEVEMENTS%20%282019-2021%29_040621.pdf
4. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). (2021). Annual report 2020–21 [PDF]. Government of India. https://www.moes.gov.in/sites/default/files/MoES_AR_20-2021%20english2.pdf
5. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). (n.d.). Research-education-training-outreach. Government of India. https://www.moes.gov.in/schemes/research-education-training-outreach?language_content_entity=hi

About the contributor: Muskan Thakur is a Research Intern at IMPRI and a Master’s student in Economics at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune.

Acknowledgement: The author extends her sincere gratitude to the IMPRI team and Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja for her invaluable guidance throughout the process.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.

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