UGC suggests parameters for selecting peer-reviewed journals after scrapping UGC-CARE list

After discontinuing the UGC-CARE list of journals, the University Grants Commission has issued the suggestive parameters for choosing peer-reviewed journals by faculty members, students, and higher educational institutions.

In a meeting held on June 24, 2025, the commission approved the parameters and decided to upload a list of 1,474 UGC CARE listed journals as on February 10, 2025 for reference. “This list of UGC-CARE Journals (now discontinued) is intended to serve as a reference resource only; the inclusion or exclusion of a journal in this list does not imply validation or endorsement by the commission,” said UGC.

The commission scrapped the list after it faced backlash from researchers over centralisation, lack of transparency, subjectivity, and other issues.

Noting that the HEIs are committed to promoting and disseminating high quality research through publications in the peer-reviewed journals, UGC asked the institutions to use the parameters based on their needs and disciplines of faculty members. The parameters have been prepared to ensure the quality, transparency, and relevance of the journals.

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UGC parameters for journal quality

The commission has provided suggestions for preliminary criteria, editorial board criteria, editorial policy, quality criteria, standards, research ethics, visibility, and impact.

“Using the above parameters, faculty members and students may choose peer-reviewed journals tailored to their specific disciplines and research focus areas for publishing their research work,” the commission said.

UGC further suggested HEIs to establish internal committees to fine-tune the suggested parameters from time to time as needed in their specific cases to ensure they continue to meet the quality standards and to align with the institute’s academic and research goals.