UGC has formally scrapped the UGC-Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (CARE) journal listing, thereby changing the entire academic publication scenario of higher education institutions in India. It was decided on this development in the Commission’s 584th meeting held on October 3, 2024, based on recommendations from an expert committee constituted in December 2023 to review the efficiency of the UGC-CARE system.

Instead of the CARE journal list, UGC has brought forth a set of suggestive parameters for faculty and students in choosing credible academic journals for research and publication. These parameters are prepared by a panel of experts and academicians and are now open for public feedback until February 25, 2025. Higher educational institutions (HEIs) and faculty members are encouraged to submit their inputs via the designated UGC email.

Introduced in 2018, the UGC-CARE list ensured for recognition of journals whilst selecting, promoting, and submitting research funding applications by faculty members. It was initiated with an intention to resolve the rising problems over the quality of research publications as well as the emergence of predatory journals but received a whole host of criticisms over time. The most popular criticisms were very centralized, delayed by months for a journal to be added or removed, and not very transparent indeed. Besides, some of the less credible journals found a mention, leaving out some overwhelmingly respected journals, especially those published in Indian languages.

Researchers expressed their agony over the pressure to publish in journals listed in the UGC-CARE list and the uncertainty that the sudden and arbitrary removal of journals would cause. Such incidences inclined the expert committee to urge for a more de-centralized and flexible approach in regards with academic norms laid in the NEP (National Education Policy) 2020, which basically criticized the heavy-ness of regulation in the field of academic publishing.

Holding a greater flexibility for HEIs in formulating their own models to assess and select peer-reviewed journals was emphasized by UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar. This decentralization is now important, he said that now institutions would have the flexibility to design their operational mechanisms taking care of specific needs in academics and evolving quality standards. This will also allow researchers to publish in such journals that best suit their fields and audiences and not follow a common list.

The new suggestive parameters drafted by UGC will provide a guiding framework to the HEIs. He urged the institutions to form internal review committees to further refine the guidelines in relation to their academic priorities. The highly experienced faculty will now mentor young researchers in identifying credible journals and steering clear from predatory ones. This decentralized model will ensure high quality research and will set standards for scholarship.

Prof Kumar pointed out that this is a case of restoring academic freedom and autonomy to decide for both researchers and HEIs on the sourcing of their journal choices. He explained that the earlier centralized model failed to provide recognition to fast-paced fields and innovative journals that don’t fit the traditional indexing models, and the new performance-based model seeks to redress that. 

An internal mechanism for the evaluation of journals will be set up by HEIs. These systems must meet basic scholarly criteria and be recognized external standards. Institutions will thus assume responsibility for protecting their academic reputations and promoting high-quality research. 

UGC lays emphasis on transparency and inclusivity in this transition. The Commission opens the gates for stakeholders to provide their feedback on the suggestive parameters to refine the guidelines and ensure its efficacy by the involvement of HEIs, faculty, and other experts.

The newest processes raised are expected to conduct holistic changes in academic publishing regarding promoting credibility in assessment methods and flexibility. Decentralizing the journal evaluation approach will supposedly empower institutions, uphold scholarly standards, and encourage researchers to publish reputable journals tied to their fields of study.

Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the UGC’s official communications for further details and submit their views before the deadline on the proposed parameters. This marks a significant shift in Indian academia-the transition that would open a new chapter of research publication with transparent, flexible, and inclusive operations.