In a major policy shift, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially discontinued its Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (CARE) list of approved journals. The decision, aimed at streamlining academic research publications, introduces a decentralized model where Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) will have the authority to assess and recognize journals independently.
The move comes in response to persistent concerns about the inefficiencies of the centralized system, which often led to the inclusion of substandard journals while excluding credible ones, particularly those in regional languages.
Decentralized Evaluation: A Shift Towards Academic Autonomy
Under the new system, HEIs will develop their mechanisms for evaluating journals based on guidelines provided by the UGC. This transition is expected to ensure a more dynamic and inclusive approach to journal recognition, improving research credibility and preventing the proliferation of predatory journals.
UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar emphasized that the revised framework aligns Indian academic publishing with global standards, reducing bureaucratic delays and enabling institutions to take responsibility for journal assessment.
The Commission, in its 584th meeting on October 3, 2024, following expert committee recommendations, decided to discontinue the UGC-CARE journal listing and establish parameters for selecting peer-reviewed journals.
New Guidelines for Journal Selection
To aid HEIs in this transition, the UGC has outlined key parameters for evaluating research journals. These include:
Presence of a valid ISSN and clearly defined scopeRegular publication frequency and transparent editorial policiesRigorous peer review mechanismsEthical publishing standards, including plagiarism checksA qualified editorial board comprising subject-matter expertsProper impact assessment metrics, such as citation index and research contribution
The framework also encourages institutions to set up internal review committees to implement these parameters effectively.
Call for Stakeholder Feedback
The UGC has invited feedback on the proposed journal evaluation parameters from researchers, academicians, and institutions. Suggestions can be submitted via email at [email protected] until February 25, 2025.
This transition marks a significant reform in India’s academic ecosystem, reinforcing ethical research standards while giving universities the flexibility to curate credible publication sources.
