Fake ‘CARE’ website inviting paper submission, UGC issues warning

NEW DELHI, JUNE 1: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued warning against a fake website posing as the official website of the Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (CARE), entrusted with the task of coming up with the list of high-quality journals by replacing the existing UGC-approved list of journals.

As per the public notice issued by the UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain, the notice is to alert all stakeholders against a fake CARE website, advising them to be careful and avoid falling prey to this potentially predatory website.

However, the alleged fake website has put up disclaimer which reads, “Disclaimer: This is an informative website for providing updates regarding CARE Journals and publication support in UGC CARE Journals, CARE Journals list is not released yet so that the publication journals suggestion support will be provided once the CARE Journals List is released.”

The apex higher education regulator in November last year Constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. P. Balram, to review its quality mandate relating to the promotion of Research and to review the existing M.Phil/ Ph.D Regulations. It announced to establish CARE, with an aim to refine and strengthen the UGC approved list of journals.

The body had to come up with the first CARE list before March 31, 2019, by replacing the existing UGC-approved list of journals. The objective was to list good quality Research Journals in disciplines under Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Arts, Culture, Indian Knowledge Systems etc., which will be maintained by CARE and referred to as ‘CARE Reference List of Quality Journals’.

This will be used for all academic purposes. The ‘CARE Reference List of Quality Journals’ will be regularly updated and published by the UGC and the Members of the Consortium at their respective websites.