Purpose – This study aims to explore the ethical readiness and awareness of data reuse among library and information science (LIS) professionals in India. With the global research landscape increasingly embracing open science, this study seeks to assess the understanding, engagement and preparedness of Indian LIS professionals regarding ethical data reuse practices and international frameworks, such as FAIR, CARE and general data protection regulation. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used, gathering responses from 178 LIS professionals, academics and research scholars across universities, colleges and special libraries in India. A structured online questionnaire measured conceptual awareness, policy knowledge and ethical preparedness. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA and reliability analysis were used to interpret the data and identify statistically significant differences across demographic groups. Findings – Findings reveal a moderate level of awareness regarding ethical data reuse, with higher understanding correlated with academic role, professional experience and educational qualifications. However, awareness and preparedness were not significantly influenced by gender, age or institution type. Early-career and highly experienced professionals exhibited greater ethical readiness, likely due to recent training or accumulated experience. Major gaps were identified in licensing knowledge, institutional policy support and training access, underscoring systemic challenges to ethical data stewardship in India. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to systematically evaluate ethical awareness and readiness for data reuse within the LIS profession in India. It offers localized insights into institutional and educational shortcomings and proposes actionable strategies for integrating global ethical standards into national LIS practices. The research contributes to bridging the gap between global data governance frameworks and their practical implementation in developing contexts, reinforcing the importance of ethics in open science initiatives. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.