Published Paper Details:

Open access (OA) has transformed scholarly communication by ensuring research outputs are freely available online without subscription barriers. This movement democratizes knowledge, allowing anyone with internet access to read, download, and use scholarly works. This article explores the evolution, models, benefits, challenges, and impacts of open access on scholarly communication. It highlights key developments like the Budapest Open Access Initiative and various OA models such as gold, green, and diamond OA. The benefits of OA include increased accessibility, enhanced visibility, accelerated research, and compliance with funding mandates. However, challenges such as financial sustainability, quality control, copyright issues, and technological infrastructure need to be addressed. Open access redefines publishing practices, promotes open science, supports global research equity, and encourages public engagement, ultimately reshaping the future of scholarly communication.