UGC discontinues CARE journal list, introduces new evaluation guidelines
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UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar.
New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced the discontinuation of the UGC-CARE list of journals, a move aimed at decentralizing the evaluation process for research publications and restoring academic freedom. Instead, the commission plans to introduce suggestive parameters to help faculty members and students select credible peer-reviewed journals.
Introduced in 2018, the UGC-CARE list was designed to regulate and uphold the quality of academic research publications. However, over time, it faced widespread criticism due to inefficiencies such as delays in journal inclusion and exclusion, lack of transparency, and the inadvertent inclusion of predatory journals. Additionally, concerns were raised about its impact on journals published in Indian languages and the excessive centralization of academic decision-making.
UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar emphasized that the decision marks a shift towards empowering Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to take responsibility for maintaining research standards. “The discontinuation of the UGC-CARE list is a step towards restoring academic freedom. Researchers will now have the liberty to publish in journals that best align with their discipline without being constrained by a centralized list. HEIs must ensure high research standards and actively prevent the spread of predatory journals,” Kumar stated.
The decision was based on recommendations from an expert committee and was finalized during a recent UGC meeting. In accordance with the panel's suggestions, the UGC has advised HEIs to establish their own mechanisms for evaluating peer-reviewed journals, in alignment with global academic standards. This approach grants institutions greater flexibility in recognizing credible research while ensuring quality control.
To facilitate this transition, the UGC has introduced suggestive parameters for journal evaluation and has invited feedback from the academic community. The move is expected to grant researchers greater autonomy while holding institutions accountable for upholding rigorous academic standards.
With PTI inputs