How Faculty Members Should Select Peer-Reviewed Journals Under New UGC CARE Guidelines

Academic publishing in India has undergone a fundamental shift. With the discontinuation of the static CARE journal list, faculty members can no longer rely on pre-approved journal names to validate their publications. Instead, the responsibility has moved decisively toward individual authors and institutions to ensure that research is published in genuinely peer-reviewed, ethical, and high-quality journals.

Under the new UGC CARE framework, choosing the right journal is now as important as conducting the research itself. A wrong journal choice can lead to rejection during promotions, PhD evaluations, grant applications, or academic audits, even if the research quality is strong.

This blog provides a clear, step-by-step guide for faculty members on how to safely select peer-reviewed journals under the new UGC CARE guidelines, avoid predatory traps, and protect their academic careers.

Why Journal Selection Matters More Than Ever

Earlier, faculty members could justify their publication choices by citing inclusion in the CARE list. That safety net no longer exists.

Today, evaluation committees ask:

• Is the journal genuinely peer-reviewed?
• Does the journal follow ethical publishing practices?
• Is the journal website stable and professional?
• Can peer review be demonstrated?
• Is the journal transparent and auditable?

Under the current framework of the University Grants Commission, journal quality is assessed through parameters, not lists. This means faculty member must become informed and cautious publishers.

Understanding “Peer-Reviewed” Under UGC CARE

Peer review is no longer a buzzword. It is a verifiable academic process.

A journal claiming peer review must be able to demonstrate:

• How reviewers are selected
• How manuscripts are evaluated
• How revisions are handled
• How editorial decisions are made

Faculty members should never assume peer review simply because the journal says so on its homepage.

Step 1: Verify the Journal’s Peer Review Process

Before submitting a paper, faculty members should carefully review the journal’s peer review policy.

What to Check

• Is the peer review process explained clearly?
• Does it specify single-blind, double-blind, or transparent review?
• Are review stages defined?
• Are timelines realistic?

Red Flags

• Vague statements like “fast peer review”
• Guaranteed acceptance
• Extremely short review timelines without explanation

A genuine peer-reviewed journal values quality over speed.

Step 2: Examine Editorial Board Credibility

UGC CARE emphasizes editorial governance. Faculty members should verify:

• Names of editors and board members
• Institutional affiliations
• Subject relevance
• Academic credibility

Warning Signs

• Fake or unverifiable editors
• Editorial boards with no affiliations
• Same individuals managing many unrelated journals

A credible editorial board reflects the academic seriousness of a journal.

Step 3: Review Publication Ethics and Policies

Ethical transparency is a core CARE expectation.

Faculty members should confirm that the journal clearly publishes policies on:

• Publication ethics
• Plagiarism and similarity checks
• Conflict of interest
• Retractions and corrections
• Author responsibilities

If these policies are missing or copied vaguely, the journal may not pass scrutiny during evaluation.

Step 4: Assess the Journal Website Quality

Website quality is no longer cosmetic. It is a compliance indicator.

What CARE-Aligned Journals Have

• Secure and stable domain
• Clean article landing pages
• Issue-wise archives
• Mobile-friendly design
• No spam or irrelevant content

What to Avoid

• Broken links
• Poor navigation
• Mixed content or advertisements
• Suspicious redirects

Faculty members should remember that evaluation committees often judge journals by their websites first.

Step 5: Confirm ISSN and Journal Identity

A valid ISSN is mandatory but not sufficient on its own.

Faculty members should verify:

• ISSN authenticity
• Consistent journal title usage
• Clear scope and subject focus
• Transparent publisher information

Mismatch between ISSN records and website information is a red flag.

Step 6: Check Plagiarism Control Mechanisms

UGC CARE strongly stresses plagiarism prevention.

Faculty members should ensure:

• The journal uses plagiarism detection tools
• Similarity thresholds are defined
• Authors are required to submit declarations

A journal that does not actively manage plagiarism risks disqualification during audits.

Step 7: Understand Indexing Claims Carefully

Many journals misuse indexing terminology.

Faculty members should distinguish between:

• Actual indexing
• Abstracting
• Listing
• Search engine crawling

Practical Advice

• Google Scholar indexing alone is not proof of quality
• Indexing claims should be verifiable on official databases
• Avoid journals using fake impact factors

UGC CARE focuses on quality processes, not just indexing badges.

Step 8: Look for Transparency and Audit Readiness

Under CARE, journals must withstand scrutiny.

Faculty members should ask:

• Can the journal demonstrate peer review records?
• Are editorial decisions traceable?
• Are archives permanent?

Journals built on modern journal management systems are far more likely to meet these expectations.

Common Mistakes Faculty Members Must Avoid While Choosing Journal for Publishing

Even experienced researchers make mistakes due to pressure or misinformation.

Frequent Errors

• Choosing journals solely for fast publication
• Trusting email solicitations
• Ignoring journal website quality
• Assuming past acceptance guarantees future safety
• Not consulting institutional research offices

These mistakes can cost years of academic progress.

Why Journals Built on Professional Systems Are Safer

Many CARE-aligned journals today use dedicated Journal Management Systems or Journal Management Software rather than generic websites or outdated platforms.

Such systems ensure:

• Structured peer review workflows
• Editorial accountability
• Metadata integrity
• Stable archives
• Audit-ready records

Platforms like ScholarJMS are designed to embed CARE expectations directly into journal operations, reducing risk for authors.

What Faculty Members Should Do Before Submission

Before submitting a manuscript, faculty members should:

• Review the journal’s peer review policy
• Verify editorial board credibility
• Check ethics and plagiarism policies
• Examine website quality
• Confirm ISSN and publisher identity
• Consult institutional research committees if unsure

This checklist can prevent long-term academic complications.

Below are two ready-to-use assets you can directly publish on ScholarJMS.com or offer as downloadable guidance for universities and faculty members. They are written in a CARE-aligned, practical, faculty-first tone and optimized for clarity, authority, and trust.

Faculty Checklist for Selecting Peer-Reviewed Journals Under UGC CARE Guidelines

This checklist is designed to help make safe and compliant journal selection decisions under the

Use this checklist

A. Peer Review Verification Checklist

Before submission, confirm the following:

• The journal clearly explains its peer review process
• The review type is specified (single-blind, double-blind, transparent, etc.)
• Review stages are clearly defined
• Editorial decisions are not guaranteed
• Review timelines appear realistic and academic

🚩 Red Flag: Journals claiming “guaranteed acceptance” or “review in 3–5 days” without explanation.

B. Editorial Board & Governance Checklist

• Editorial board members are listed with full names
• Institutional affiliations are clearly mentioned
• Editors are relevant to the journal’s subject area
• Editor-in-Chief details are transparent
• Publisher information is clearly displayed

🚩 Red Flag: Fake names, missing affiliations, or one person managing multiple unrelated journals.

C. Publication Ethics & Policy Checklist

• Publication ethics policy is published
• Plagiarism policy is clearly defined
• Conflict of interest policy is available
• Retraction and correction policy is mentioned
• Author responsibilities are clearly stated

🚩 Red Flag: Copy-pasted or vague policy pages with no enforcement mechanism.

D. Journal Website Quality Checklist

• Website loads securely (HTTPS)
• Article pages are clearly structured
• Issue-wise and volume-wise archives exist
• Website is mobile-friendly
• No broken links or suspicious redirects

🚩 Red Flag: Poor design, ads, gaming redirects, or spam content.

E. ISSN & Journal Identity Checklist

• ISSN is clearly displayed
• ISSN matches the journal title
• Journal scope is clearly defined
• Publisher identity is consistent across pages

🚩 Red Flag: Mismatch between ISSN record and website content.

F. Plagiarism & Similarity Check Checklist

• Journal mentions plagiarism checking
• Similarity threshold is defined
• Author declaration is required
• Ethical screening is part of editorial workflow

🚩 Red Flag: No mention of plagiarism checks or similarity standards.

G. Indexing & Discoverability Checklist

• Indexing claims are verifiable on official databases
• Journal does not advertise fake impact factors
• Google Scholar presence is organic, not forced

🚩 Red Flag: “Global impact factor”, “Universal impact factor”, or unverified claims.

H. Transparency & Audit Readiness Checklist

• Peer review workflow is traceable
• Editorial decisions are documented
• Archives are permanent and accessible

🚩 Red Flag: Journals unable to explain how peer review decisions are made.

Final Faculty Advice for Journal Selection

If a journal fails two or more sections of this checklist, it is safer to avoid submission, regardless of publication speed.

FAQs for Faculty Members Under UGC CARE Guidelines for Journal Selection

These FAQs address the faculty members have after the CARE list discontinuation.

Q1. Is the UGC CARE journal list still valid?

No. The UGC has discontinued the static CARE journal list. Journals are now evaluated based on , not inclusion in a list.

Q2. Can I publish in a journal that was earlier CARE-listed?

Yes, but Past listing does not guarantee current compliance.

Q3. How do evaluation committees now judge journals?

Committees assess:

• Peer review authenticity
• Editorial governance
• Publication ethics
• Website quality
• Archival access
• Transparency and audit readiness

Q4. Is Google Scholar indexing enough for CARE compliance?

No. Google Scholar indexing alone does not prove journal quality. CARE focuses on ,not just discoverability.

Q5. Are open access journals acceptable under CARE?

Yes. Open access journals are fully acceptable

Q6. How can I identify predatory journals easily?

Common warning signs include:

• Guaranteed or extremely fast acceptance
• Fake impact factors
• Poor website quality
• Vague peer review descriptions
• Aggressive email solicitations

Q7. Does UGC require journals to have DOI?

DOI is not mandatory, but journals with DOI demonstrate , which strengthens evaluation.

Q8. What if my institution approved the journal earlier?

Under the new framework, Faculty should still verify compliance before submission.

Q9. Are journals using modern journal management systems safer?

Yes. Journals built on professional provide:

• Structured peer review
• Transparent editorial workflows
• Stable archives
• Audit-ready records

This reduces risk for authors.

Q10. What should I do if I am unsure about a journal?

You should:

• Consult your Research Advisory Committee or IQAC
• Seek guidance from senior faculty
• Avoid submission until clarity is obtained

Final Message for Faculty Members

Under the new UGC CARE framework, journal selection is an academic responsibility, not a formality.

Careful journal evaluation protects your:

• Promotions
• Appointments
• Research reputation
• Institutional credibility

Publishing safely today prevents academic complications tomorrow.

Role of Universities and Research Committees

Faculty members should not be left alone to navigate this complexity.

Universities are encouraged by UGC to:

• Create internal journal evaluation committees
• Guide faculty on safe journal selection
• Maintain approved journal advisories
• Promote awareness of CARE parameters

When institutions and faculty work together, compliance becomes manageable.

Conclusion: CARE-Aware Publishing Is Now an Academic Responsibility

The new UGC CARE guidelines have shifted the publishing responsibility toward informed decision-making. Faculty members must now think beyond acceptance letters and publication speed. Selecting the right peer-reviewed journal protects:

• Academic credibility
• Promotion eligibility
• Research reputation
• Institutional integrity

Journals that are transparent, ethical, professionally managed, and technically robust are the safest choices under CARE. Faculty members who adopt a CARE-aware approach today will safeguard their academic careers tomorrow.