Kodandarama,
Swamy D,
- Librarian, P.E.S. College of Engineering, Mandya University of Mysore, Mysuru,, Karnataka, India
- Librarian, Sarada Vilas College, University of Mysore, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
Abstract
This bibliometric study evaluates the impact of the UGC CARE initiative on Indian research output in Web of Science (WoS) indexed journals, comparing the pre UGC CARE (2000-2018) and post UGCCARE (2019-2024) periods. The analysis reveals a threefold increase in annual publications, from 42,406 to 139,355, alongside shifts in institutional contributions, subject trends, and journal preferences. Engineering overtook Chemistry as the dominant field, and open access adoption rose to 36.60%. While international publishers like Elsevier and Springer Nature retained prominence, domestic publishing grew modestly. The findings suggest that UGC CARE successfully promoted quality and visibility in Indian research, though challenges remain, particularly following its discontinuation in 2025. The study underscores the need for sustainable domestic publishing strategies to maintain these gains. The study underscores the need for sustainable domestic publishing strategies to maintain these gains. Furthermore, the study examines evolving collaboration patterns, citation performance, and the increasing integration of interdisciplinary research across Indian institutions. The results indicate a growing emphasis on publishing in internationally recognized journals, reflecting enhanced research visibility and global engagement. Increased participation from emerging universities and research organizations also highlights the broader diffusion of research activity beyond traditionally dominant institutions. These trends demonstrate the role of quality-focused publication policies in strengthening India’s scholarly ecosystem. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, academic administrators, and researchers in designing future frameworks that support research excellence, international competitiveness, and sustainable scholarly communication practices.
Keywords: UGC CARE, quality journals, research productivity and academic quality
[This article belongs to Journal of Advancements in Library Sciences ]
References
- Patwardhan B, Nagarkar S. The UGC-CARE initiative: Indian academia’s quest for research and publishing integrity. First Monday. 2021;26(10).
- Singson M, Manavalan L, Thiyagarajan S. Analysing the impact of academic policies and interventions on research productivity in Indian library and information science. Performance Measurement and Metrics. 2025;26(1):17–33.
- Jeyapragash B, Muthuraj A. An Analysis of University Grants Commission-Consortium of Academic and Research Ethics (UGC-CARE) Quality Journals in Library and Information Science by Indian Higher Education System. Library Philosophy and Practice. 2021:1–21.
- Parray UY, Loan FA, Khan AM. The dark side of publishing: Unveiling the deceptive tactics of cloned journals in India. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. 2025;57(4):991–1005.
- Deora H, Tripathi M, Chaurasia B, Grotenhuis JA. Avoiding predatory publishing for early career neurosurgeons: what should you know before you submit? Acta Neurochirurgica. 2021;163(1):1–8.
- Kharumnuid SA, Singh Deo P. Researchers’ perceptions and awareness of predatory publishing: A survey. Accountability in Research. 2024;31(5):479–496.
- Aich L, Das A. Bibliometric visualization of DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology and SRELS Journal of Information Management during 2016–2020: A comparative study.
- Gurnani B, Kaur K. Avoiding predatory publishing for early-career ophthalmologists. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2021;69(12):3719–3725.
- Das, B. and Singh, S. K. Mapping Knowledge in Higher Education: A Bibliometric Study of UGC CARE List of LIS Journals, Library Philosophy and Practice. 2021; 1-12.
- Khan B, Mondal H. Library and Information Science Journals Enlisted in UGC-CARE: A Webometric Analysis. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology. 2025 Feb 27;45(2):150-6.
Journal of Advancements in Library Sciences
| Volume | 13 | |
| Issue | 02 | |
| Received | 25/05/2026 | |
| Accepted | 11/06/2026 | |
| Published | 20/07/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 56 Days |