Updated: October 2026
Short answer: Yes, the UGC CARE list has been discontinued.
The decision was taken in the 584th UGC meeting on 3 October 2024,
and the public notice was issued on 11 February 2025.
The list is no longer maintained or updated.
The Official UGC Notice: What It Says
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made a significant announcement that will impact researchers, faculty, and students in India. In a public notice dated February 11, 2025, the UGC declared that it is discontinuing the UGC-CARE listing of journals. Instead, it has introduced suggestive parameters to help academics identify reliable, peer-reviewed journals for publication.
This decision was made in the 584th UGC meeting on October 3, 2024, based on expert recommendations. Here’s everything you need to know about this update and how it will affect academic publishing in India.
Why Has UGC Discontinued the CARE Journal Listing?
The UGC-CARE (Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics) list was originally introduced in 2018 to ensure that Indian researchers published in high-quality, ethical, and reputed journals. However, concerns arose over predatory journals sneaking into the list, leading to misuse and credibility issues.
To address this challenge, the UGC has decided to discontinue the listing and provide suggestive guidelines for researchers to independently assess the quality of journals.
New Parameters for Selecting Peer-Reviewed Journals
The UGC has shared a set of guidelines that institutions, faculty members, and students can use to evaluate peer-reviewed journals. These parameters focus on transparency, credibility, and ethical research practices.
1. Journal Preliminary Criteria
- Must have a valid ISSN number (Print or Online).
- Should follow a regular publication schedule.
- Must have a transparent peer-review process.
- Should be listed on a certified domain with secure access.
- Should clarify open access or subscription-based policies.
- Must integrate with national or international repositories.
2. Editorial Board Standards
- The editorial board should include eminent academicians and subject experts.
- The review process should be rigorous, transparent, and efficient.
3. Editorial Policies
- Clearly defined aims, scope, and subject areas.
- Transparency in Article Processing Charges (APC).
- Defined acceptance rates and publication timelines.
4. Research Ethics and Quality Standards
- Strict plagiarism prevention policies.
- Mandatory conflict of interest disclosures.
- AI-generated content policies must be explicitly stated.
- Quality standards such as bibliographic accuracy, professional formatting, and citation record maintenance.
5. Journal Impact & Visibility
- Presence in indexed databases (e.g., Scopus, Web of Science).
- Assessment based on impact factor and citation scores.
How Will This Affect Researchers and HEIs?
1. More Responsibility on Researchers
Without an official UGC-CARE list, researchers now have to independently verify the credibility of journals based on these parameters before submitting their work.
2. Institutions Need Internal Review Committees
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are encouraged to establish internal committees to evaluate journals and ensure compliance with these new guidelines.
3. Reduction in Predatory Publishing
This change aims to minimize predatory journals from misusing the UGC-CARE listing while allowing academics to publish in genuine, high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
How to Submit Feedback on These Guidelines?
The UGC is inviting feedback on these new parameters from researchers, faculty, and students. If you have any suggestions or concerns, you can send them to [email protected] by February 25, 2025.
Is the UGC CARE list still valid in 2026?
No. The UGC CARE list has been discontinued and is no longer maintained or updated. The decision was taken in the 584th UGC meeting held on 3 October 2024, and the public notice was issued on 11 February 2025.
When was the UGC CARE list discontinued?
The UGC announced the discontinuation through a public notice dated 11 February 2025, following the decision taken in its 584th meeting on 3 October 2024.
Why did UGC discontinue the CARE list?
Predatory journals had entered the list, leading to misuse and credibility issues. Instead of maintaining a central list, UGC introduced suggestive parameters so researchers can independently assess journal quality.
What replaces the UGC CARE list?
UGC has issued suggestive parameters for identifying credible peer-reviewed journals. Researchers are now expected to evaluate journals themselves using these criteria rather than relying on a central list.
How do I check if a journal is peer-reviewed now?
Verify the journal’s indexing independently in databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed or Chemical Abstracts Service; confirm it assigns DOIs; check the editorial board’s affiliations; and review its published peer-review policy.
Is a journal still valid if it was in the UGC CARE list?
Previous CARE listing no longer carries official status. Evaluate the journal on current indexing, editorial standards and transparency instead of past listing.
Does UGC publish a list of approved journals in 2026?
No. UGC no longer maintains an approved or recommended journal list. The suggestive parameters are guidance, not a list.
How can I identify a predatory journal?
Check for unrealistic publication speed, no named editorial board, fake indexing claims, no DOI assignment, aggressive solicitation emails and no transparent peer-review policy.