UGC Ends CARE Journal List, Introduces New Guidelines for Journal Selection

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced a major change in how it evaluates research journals. It has discontinued the UGC-CARE journal list and is introducing a new system for journal selection. This decision is aimed at improving research quality, increasing academic freedom, and making journal selection more flexible for researchers in India.

For years, researchers had to choose journals from the UGC-CARE list to meet academic requirements. However, many experts criticized this system for limiting options, lacking transparency, and excluding reputable journals. To address these concerns, UGC will now provide general guidelines instead of a fixed list.

Key Changes and Their Impact

1. From a Fixed List to Open Guidelines

Instead of maintaining a centralized list of approved journals, UGC is introducing a set of parameters to help universities, colleges, and researchers select credible peer-reviewed journals. This shift allows greater flexibility and encourages scholars to focus on journal quality rather than just inclusion in a list.

2. Focus on Research Quality and Transparency

The new system is designed to:

• Encourage better research – Researchers can assess journals based on their relevance, credibility, and academic standards.
• Ensure clarity in journal selection – Clear guidelines will help institutions evaluate journals objectively.
• Give more control to universities – Institutions can now develop their own mechanisms for selecting suitable journals.

3. Opportunity for Public Feedback

UGC has opened its proposed guidelines for public consultation until February 25, 2025. Faculty, researchers, higher education institutions, and students are invited to submit their opinions to help refine the new policy.

Why Was the UGC-CARE Journal List Discontinued?

The UGC-CARE list was launched in 2018 to prevent low-quality or predatory journals from being used for academic purposes. However, over time, several problems arose:

• Limited Choice for Researchers – Many reputed journals were missing from the list, making it harder for scholars to publish their work.
• Lack of Transparency – The criteria for adding or removing journals were unclear, leading to confusion among researchers.
• Exclusion of Quality Journals – Several well-respected journals, especially those published in regional Indian languages, were left out, restricting academic diversity.
• Unfair Bias – Some researchers felt that the system favored certain publishers over others.

By removing the UGC-CARE list, UGC hopes to fix these issues and create a more open and fair research environment.

How Will This Change Benefit Researchers?

1. More Freedom for Researchers
   • Researchers can now choose journals based on quality rather than their inclusion in a list.
   • There are no restrictions on publishing in reputable journals that were previously excluded.
2. Increased Institutional Control
   • Universities and colleges will be responsible for assessing journal credibility.
   • Institutions can set their own guidelines based on their academic needs.
3. Higher Research Standards
   • Encourages scholars to be more critical and selective about where they publish.
   • Reduces the risk of low-quality publications by focusing on journal credibility.
4. Greater Inclusion of Regional and Emerging Journals
   • Previously excluded regional language journals can now be considered.
   • New and emerging journals with high-quality research can gain recognition.

What Happens Next?

• Feedback Period – UGC is accepting public feedback until February 25, 2025.
• Final Guidelines – After reviewing the suggestions, UGC will finalize the new journal selection criteria.
• Implementation – Once approved, universities and researchers will follow the new guidelines instead of the old UGC-CARE list.

This marks a big shift in UGC’s approach to research publication. Instead of controlling journal choices, UGC is now empowering institutions and researchers to make informed decisions.

The removal of the UGC-CARE journal list is a major step towards academic freedom and better research quality. By introducing open guidelines instead of a fixed list, UGC aims to improve transparency, give institutions more control, and allow researchers to publish in journals that best suit their work.

Researchers and institutions should stay updated with UGC’s official notifications for the latest guidelines on journal selection.

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