UGC Discontinues CARE Journal List, Suggest New Parameters

UGC Discontinues CARE Journal List: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to discontinue the UGC-Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (UGC-CARE) journal listing. Instead, UGC has introduced new guidelines to help faculty members and students choose credible peer-reviewed journals for research publications.

This decision was made during the UGC’s 584th meeting on October 3, 2024, following recommendations from an expert committee. The goal is to improve research quality and avoid reliance on a fixed list of journals.

Why Did UGC Discontinue the UGC-CARE List?

UGC initially introduced the UGC-CARE list in 2018 to ensure researchers publish in high-quality journals and avoid predatory publishers. However, over time, several problems emerged, making it less effective. Here are the main reasons why UGC decided to discontinue it:

• Lack of Updates: Many reputed journals were missing, while some low-quality journals remained on the list for too long.

• Confusion for Researchers: Frequent changes created difficulties for faculty members and students.

• Unfair Restrictions: Some genuine journals were excluded, affecting the careers of researchers.

• Rise of Predatory Journals: Despite UGC-CARE, many researchers still fell into the trap of fake journals.

To solve these issues, UGC has now introduced suggestive parameters that will guide researchers in selecting quality journals.

New UGC Guidelines for Choosing Journals

Instead of relying on an official UGC-approved list, researchers will now evaluate journals based on these key parameters:

1. Transparency

• Clear editorial policies

• Well-defined peer review process

• Details about editorial board members

2. Indexing & Impact

• Listed in Scopus, Web of Science, or other reputed databases

• Good citation score and impact factor

3. Ethical Standards

• Strict policies on plagiarism

• Proper handling of conflicts of interest

• Adherence to open-access best practices

4. Review Quality

• Rigorous and unbiased peer review mechanisms

• Transparency in article acceptance/rejection

These guidelines allow Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to assess journals for their faculty and students. UGC has invited feedback on these parameters until February 25, 2025 via email at journal@ugc.gov.in.

Academic Community Reactions and Concerns

While some experts appreciate UGC’s new approach, many academicians and researchers have criticized the decision. Prof. Rajesh Jha from Delhi University strongly opposed the move, stating that it adds to the uncertainty faced by faculty and students.

He raised several critical questions:

• If UGC-CARE was necessary, why was it made mandatory in 2018?

• If it is now being removed, does that mean researchers were wrongly forced to follow it for years?

• Is UGC changing policies frequently without considering long-term academic stability?

He further accused UGC of policy instability, stating that researchers and faculty members have been repeatedly forced into confusing and inconsistent regulations.

Impact on Research in India

This policy change aims to align India’s research ecosystem with global best practices. Researchers now have to evaluate journals on their own, which adds extra responsibility. While this change may help reduce the risk of predatory publishing, it also creates difficulties for early-career researchers who previously depended on the UGC-approved list. Many may find it challenging to identify credible journals without a fixed reference.

To support the academic community, UGC has announced plans to conduct workshops and awareness programs. These initiatives aim to help researchers understand the new guidelines. Additionally, UGC will collect feedback from stakeholders and may refine the suggestive parameters before making them final.

Conclusion

The discontinuation of UGC-CARE marks a significant shift in India’s research policies. While the move aims to improve research quality, it has also raised concerns about academic uncertainty and policy inconsistency. Researchers and faculty members must now evaluate journals based on transparency, impact, ethics, and review quality.

As the February 25, 2025 deadline for feedback approaches, stakeholders are encouraged to share their views with UGC. The final guidelines will shape the future of academic publishing in India.