- What is Sci-Hub?
Sci-Hub, launched in 2011 by Alexandra Elbakyan, a young researcher from Kazakhstan, quickly became known as the “Pirate Bay of Science.” It broke through expensive paywalls and provided free access to millions of research papers from publishers like Elsevier, Wiley, and Springer.
For many students and researchers—especially in developing countries—Sci-Hub was not just a website, it was a lifeline. By 2019, it was serving over 400,000 requests per day worldwide, proving how deep the demand for open access to knowledge truly was.
- How the Trouble Began in India
- December 2020: Major publishers including Elsevier, Wiley, and the American Chemical Society filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against Sci-Hub and its sister site, Library Genesis (LibGen).
- The court ordered Sci-Hub not to upload or share newly published content while the case was being heard.
At that time, India’s research community reacted strongly. Many scientists argued that blocking Sci-Hub would directly harm students and independent scholars who cannot afford journal subscriptions that often-cost thousands of dollars.
- Breach of Undertaking and Renewed Action
Despite the 2020 order, publishers reported that new papers—published even in 2022—continued to appear on Sci-Hub. The site claimed it was a technical glitch, but the Delhi High Court considered this a violation of the undertaking made earlier.
This set the stage for a stricter ruling in 2025.
- The 2025 Delhi High Court Ruling
On 19 August 2025, the Delhi High Court issued a major order:
- Complete blocking of Sci-Hub, LibGen, and the newly launched Sci-Net across India.
- Directed the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to ensure ISPs block access within 24–72 hours.
- Held founder Alexandra Elbakyan in contempt of court for violating the 2020 undertaking.
The court also classified Sci-Hub as a “rogue website”, effectively labeling it as a repeat offender in copyright piracy. The next hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2025, but until then, access is completely cut off across the country.
- How the Research Community Reacted
The reaction was immediate and intense:
- Students and researchers: Many described it as a “huge loss” for India’s scientific progress, especially in institutions where journal subscriptions are limited.
- Academics on social media: Some pointed out that this decision pushes India backward at a time when knowledge access should be expanding.
- Editorials and commentary: Outlets like CounterCurrents argued that the ban represents an attack on the democratization of knowledge, hitting hardest those who cannot afford costly journal access.
One student wrote online:
“Sci-Hub was the only way I could finish my thesis. Blocking it means shutting the door on thousands of researchers like me.”
- Why It Matters
The ban highlights a deeper problem: the affordability of knowledge.
- India spends a limited budget on research and higher education compared to Western nations.
- Subscriptions to big publishers cost crores of rupees annually, leaving many universities—and almost all independent researchers—locked out.
- Without platforms like Sci-Hub, the research gap between wealthy and resource-limited institutions only widens.
This raises an urgent question: Should India invest in open access initiatives such as the proposed One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) model, where the government negotiates nationwide journal access for all institutions?
- Timeline: Sci-Hub in India
| Year | Event |
| 2011 | Sci-Hub founded by Alexandra Elbakyan |
| 2015–2019 | Rapid growth, millions of papers downloaded globally |
| Dec 2020 | Delhi HC lawsuit by Elsevier, Wiley, ACS |
| 2021–2022 | Temporary undertaking; publishers report violations |
| Aug 19, 2025 | Complete ban of Sci-Hub, LibGen, Sci-Net in India |
| Dec 1, 2025 | Next scheduled hearing |
- Conclusion
The Sci-Hub ban in India marks the end of an era where millions of Indian students and researchers had free, easy access to scientific literature. While the legal arguments focus on copyright, the larger debate is about who gets to access knowledge in a world where research drives progress.
For now, Indian academia faces a tough road ahead. Unless the government steps in with nationwide open-access solutions, the ban may deepen inequality in scientific research and slow down innovation.