New Delhi, India – In a move aimed at fostering greater academic freedom and transparency, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced the discontinuation of the UGC-CARE journal list. This decision marks a significant shift in the way research publications are evaluated in India, with a move towards a more decentralized approach. Â
The UGC-CARE List: A Background
The UGC-CARE list, established in 2018, was a database of journals deemed suitable for research publication by Indian academics. It was intended to address concerns about the quality of research and the prevalence of predatory journals. However, the list soon faced criticism for its centralized nature, lack of transparency, and exclusion of many reputable journals, particularly those published in Indian languages. Â
A Shift Towards Decentralization
Recognizing these limitations, the UGC has decided to discontinue the UGC-CARE list and instead empower Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to develop their own mechanisms for evaluating journal quality. This decentralized approach allows HEIs to tailor their evaluation processes to suit their specific needs and the diverse fields of research within their institutions. Â
New Guidelines and Parameters
To guide HEIs in this process, the UGC has proposed a set of suggestive parameters for choosing peer-reviewed journals. These parameters include: Â
- Ethical Publishing Practices: Journals must adhere to ethical publishing standards, including transparency in authorship, peer review, and conflict of interest disclosures. Â
- Impact Factors and Citation Records: The journal’s impact factor and citation records in reputable databases will be considered.
- Editorial Policies: Journals should have clear editorial policies, including aims and scope, peer review processes, and publication timelines. Â
- AI-Generated Content Policy: The UGC has introduced a specific policy for research publications involving AI-generated content. Â
Feedback and Implementation
The proposed parameters have been placed in the public domain for feedback. Stakeholders, including HEIs and faculty members, are encouraged to submit their suggestions via email to journal@ugc.gov.in until February 25, 2025. After reviewing the feedback, the UGC will finalize the new guidelines and assist HEIs in implementing them. Â
What This Means for Researchers
The discontinuation of the UGC-CARE list and the shift towards decentralized journal evaluation have several implications for researchers:
- Greater Academic Freedom: Researchers will have more freedom to choose journals that best suit their research, without being restricted by a centralized list. Â
- Increased Responsibility: Researchers will need to be more discerning in their choice of journals, carefully evaluating factors such as ethical practices, impact, and relevance to their field.
- Emphasis on Quality: The focus will be on the quality of research and the credibility of the journal, rather than simply whether it is included in a list.
A Step Towards Academic Excellence
The UGC’s decision to discontinue the UGC-CARE list and adopt a decentralized approach to journal evaluation is a significant step towards promoting academic excellence in India. By empowering HEIs and encouraging greater transparency and accountability, this move has the potential to improve the quality of research and foster a more vibrant academic landscape.
Final Thought
The discontinuation of the UGC-CARE list marks a significant shift in the landscape of research publication in India. By decentralizing the process of journal evaluation, the UGC aims to empower HEIs, promote academic freedom, and ultimately enhance the quality of research. While the new system presents both opportunities and challenges for researchers, it is expected to contribute to a more dynamic and robust academic environment in the country.
