Before You Start a New Journal: Is There a Real Gap?
Anyone can build a website and call it a journal. Knowing how to start a new journal that researchers trust, read and cite is a different task. Thousands of journals already exist, so a new title needs a clear reason to exist: a subject that is under-served, a region or language whose research has few outlets, a method or format that existing journals do not publish, or an institution that wants to showcase its research community.
Before you spend money on a domain or an ISSN application, answer these questions honestly. If you cannot answer most of them, the journal is not ready to launch yet.
- Which community will submit to this journal, and roughly how many active researchers does it have?
- What will this journal publish that its closest existing journals do not?
- Who will be the editor-in-chief, and can they give it several hours every week for years?
- Can you recruit at least five qualified, senior editorial board members with institutional email addresses?
- How will running costs be covered for the first three years, before the journal has any reputation?
- Can you realistically publish at least five good original articles per issue at your chosen frequency?
Planning the Journal: Audience, Access Model and Funding
Write a short plan, two or three pages, before you build anything. It should cover the audience, the access model, the frequency, the people and the money. University library guides on launching journals all recommend this step because it forces decisions that are hard to change later.
Choose an access and funding model
Author-funded open access
Articles are free to read; authors or their funders pay a publication charge after acceptance. Simple to run, but the charge must be modest, transparent and never linked to the decision.
Institution-funded open access
A university, society or department covers costs, so neither authors nor readers pay. Often called diamond open access; it depends on a long-term budget commitment.
Society or membership model
Members of a professional body support the journal through fees, and members may publish at reduced or no cost.
Subscription or hybrid
Readers or libraries pay for access. Hard for a new title to start with, because libraries rarely subscribe to journals without a track record.
Pick a frequency you can sustain
Monthly sounds impressive, but a new journal that skips issues looks worse than a quarterly journal that never misses one. Indexing services check regularity closely. Start with a frequency you can fill with good papers even in a slow year, and increase it later. Many journals now publish articles continuously as soon as they are ready and close the issue at the end of the period, which keeps authors happy without breaking the schedule.
Regularity beats volume. A journal that publishes six solid issues a year on time, every year, earns more trust than one that announces twelve and delivers seven.
Defining Aims, Scope and Article Types
The aims and scope statement is the most important paragraph on the journal website. Authors read it to decide whether to submit, editors use it to desk-reject unsuitable papers, and indexing evaluators use it to judge whether the published content matches the journal's promise.
A strong scope statement
- Names the discipline and five to ten specific sub-areas.
- States the audience: researchers, practitioners, policy makers.
- Lists accepted article types: research article, review, short communication, case study.
- Says what is out of scope.
- Is short enough to read in one minute.
A weak scope statement
- "All areas of science, engineering, arts and management."
- Copies another journal's wording.
- Changes every few months to attract more papers.
- Promises outcomes rather than describing content.
- Does not match what the journal actually publishes.
A multidisciplinary scope is legitimate. JMVRA itself is multidisciplinary. But a multidisciplinary journal needs editors who cover each area it accepts, and a stated set of disciplines rather than "everything". ISSN India's guidelines state that an online journal should cover a precise subject or address a specific target audience.
Choosing the Journal Name and Abbreviation
The title is permanent in a way most things are not. The ISSN is linked to the title, and ISSN India's guidelines say a title change needs a new ISSN, and that changing an ISSN-assigned title without informing the centre can lead to the ISSN being revoked. Choose carefully the first time.
- Search the ISSN Portal and the ISSN India database for duplicates and near-duplicates before you decide.
- Avoid titles that closely resemble an existing journal; similarity invites confusion and suspicions of a cloned journal.
- Use "International" only if the editorial board, authorship and readership really are international. ISSN India expects international journals to have board members from reputed institutions abroad.
- Check that the domain name and a short abbreviation are available.
- Use the same title exactly everywhere: website, article headers, PDF covers and the ISSN application.
Our full guide on how to choose the best journal name covers naming patterns, trademark and domain checks, and abbreviation rules in detail.
Building a Credible Editorial Board
A strong editorial board is the clearest signal of quality a new journal can send. It also brings in submissions and reviewers. Start with a small core of committed editors and let them recommend others in their networks. Never list anyone without their written consent; listing people who never agreed is one of the clearest marks of a deceptive journal.
| Role | Responsibility | Typical number at launch |
|---|---|---|
| Editor-in-chief | Final editorial decisions, policy, standards | 1 |
| Managing editor | Workflow, timelines, author communication, production | 1 |
| Associate or section editors | Handle papers in their sub-field, select reviewers | 2–6 |
| Editorial board members | Advise on scope, review, promote, recommend reviewers | 5–15 |
| Reviewer pool | Independent assessment of manuscripts | 20+ across sub-areas |
What ISSN India expects of the board
The national centre's published guidelines ask for at least five editorial board members; complete addresses with designation, department and official or institutional email shown on the journal website; senior faculty rather than students or research fellows for scholarly journals; and, for journals calling themselves international, some members from reputed institutions abroad. Personal webmail addresses should be avoided. These are also the details any careful author checks before submitting.
For a ready recruitment pathway, see how JMVRA invites editors and reviewers and presents its editorial board.
Journal Policies to Publish Before Launch
Policies are what separate a journal from a website that posts papers. Publish them before the first call for papers, and follow them every time. The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) is the main international reference for publication ethics; it retired its earlier Core Practices in 2024 and has been introducing a new Code of Conduct for members, so check COPE's official guidance for the current framework.
Peer review policy
Review model, number of reviewers, typical timelines, how decisions are made and how appeals work.
Publication ethics
Plagiarism, duplicate submission, data fabrication, image manipulation, and how the journal investigates allegations.
Authorship and contributions
Who qualifies as an author, contributor roles, corresponding author duties and changes of authorship.
Conflicts of interest
Declarations for authors, reviewers and editors, including how editors' own papers are handled.
Licensing and copyright
The open licence (JMVRA uses CC BY 4.0) and who holds copyright.
Fees and waivers
Every charge, when it is payable, and any waiver policy, published in full.
Corrections and retractions
How errors are corrected and when articles are retracted, with notices linked to the original.
Archiving and preservation
Where published content is preserved so it survives the journal website.
See JMVRA's full set of journal policies for a working example, and our guide to writing all journal policies.
The Journal Website and Journal Management Software
The website is the journal's public record. It must show who runs the journal, how it works and what it has published, and it must be readable by indexing robots as well as people.
Pages every journal website needs
- Home with title, ISSN (once assigned), frequency, publisher and contact.
- Aims and scope, editorial board with full affiliations, and author guidelines with a template.
- Policies: peer review, ethics, licence, fees, archiving, corrections.
- Current issue and archive, with every article on its own page and its own PDF link.
- Publisher name and complete postal address, which ISSN India requires to be displayed.
Choosing journal software
| Option | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Email and spreadsheet | No setup; fine for a handful of papers | Lost files, no audit trail, does not scale |
| Open Journal Systems (OJS), self-hosted | Free, open source, widely used, exports metadata tags | You must host, update, secure and back it up yourself |
| Managed journal management system | Workflow ready on day one, no server work | Check data export and what happens if you leave |
JWJMS is a journal management system with an online submission portal, author dashboard, desk screening, reviewer invitations and reminders, revision rounds, decisions, issue building and publication scheduling, with a full record of each step. The JWJMS guide explains how it supports a new journal.
Whatever software you choose, make sure each article page carries bibliographic meta tags such as citation_title, citation_author, citation_publication_date and citation_pdf_url, which Google Scholar documents in its inclusion guidelines for webmasters.
How to Get an ISSN for a New Journal
The ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) identifies a serial publication and is linked permanently to its title. Print and online versions need separate ISSNs. Journals published from India apply to the ISSN National Centre at CSIR-NIScPR's National Science Library; journals elsewhere apply to their own national centre, or to the ISSN International Centre where no national centre exists.
- Check the titleSearch the ISSN databases to avoid duplication.
- Publish issue oneOnline ISSNs are assigned only after the first issue.
- Prepare the siteBoard, publisher address, separate article links.
- Apply onlineFill the form and send the signed copy and documents.
- Wait and respondAt least 30 working days; reply to any query quickly.
Key points from the ISSN National Centre India guidelines: ISSNs are assigned free of charge; requests take at least 30 working days and incomplete forms are rejected; online journals are not given an ISSN ahead of publication; the first issue of a non-annual e-journal needs at least five articles; and an ISSN may be refused or revoked if misleading information appears on the site about the board, the publisher's address or indexing. The centre also asks for self-attested address proof of the publisher and the journal URL.
The step-by-step details are in our guide on how to get an ISSN for a journal.
Getting Crossref DOIs for Your Journal
A DOI gives each article a permanent link that keeps working even if the website changes, and registering DOIs with Crossref sends your metadata to the many services that read Crossref, including discovery databases. Most indexing services now expect a serious journal to register DOIs.
There are two ways to get them. A publisher can join Crossref directly, paying an annual membership fee that scales with publishing revenue or expenses plus a one-time content registration fee for each record; Crossref revised its fee structure for 2026 and has announced further cuts to content registration fees from January 2027, so check the official fee page for current figures. Alternatively, a small journal can join through a sponsor, an organisation that handles membership, deposits and support on its behalf.
JWDOI registers Crossref DOIs and deposits article metadata, and gives journals a sponsored DOI prefix without joining Crossref directly. It covers journals, books, chapters and proceedings. Read the JWDOI sponsored membership guide, or our article on how to get a Crossref DOI for a journal.
Launching the First Issue the Right Way
The first issue sets the journal's reputation and is the evidence your ISSN application depends on. Do not fill it with weak papers to meet a date. Below is an illustrative launch plan for a new online journal.
- Months 1–2
Finalise scope, name, board, policies and fee model. Register the domain and set up the website and journal software.
- Month 3
Publish the call for papers. Board members invite colleagues personally; this brings more good first-issue papers than any advertisement.
- Months 3–5
Screen submissions, run similarity checks and send papers for peer review. Expect a high desk-rejection share at this stage.
- Month 6
Publish the first issue with at least five strong original articles, each on its own page with complete metadata.
- Month 7
Apply for the online ISSN. Arrange DOI registration through Crossref membership or a sponsor.
- Months 8–12
Keep publishing on schedule, set up Google Scholar-friendly pages and a preservation arrangement, and record your editorial statistics.
Check every submission for similarity before review. JWSCAN checks a manuscript using iThenticate (by Turnitin) similarity detection and returns an overall similarity index with a source-by-source report. ISSN India states it may decline an ISSN if plagiarised or reproduced articles are found, so this check protects the application as well as the journal.
An Honest Indexing Roadmap for a New Journal
No one can promise a new journal indexing in a selective database. Indexing is earned with time, regularity and quality, and every major database publishes its own criteria. What you can do is make the journal discoverable from the first article and eligible for each stage as soon as possible.
| Service | How a journal gets in | Key condition for new journals |
|---|---|---|
| Google Scholar | Automatic crawling of compliant article pages | Each article on its own URL with citation meta tags |
| Crossref and OpenAlex | DOI registration; OpenAlex draws on Crossref and other sources | Registered DOIs with complete metadata |
| DOAJ | Application, open access journals only | More than one year of publishing or at least ten open access research articles; at least five research articles a year |
| Scopus | Application reviewed by the Content Selection and Advisory Board | Generally at least two years of publication history, regular publishing, ISSN, policies |
| Web of Science | Editorial evaluation by Clarivate | Quality criteria first, then impact criteria for the flagship indexes |
A free repository helps discovery from the start. OpenRGATE is a free open-access repository and journal-discovery platform where finished work is deposited so it stays findable.
A note on UGC in India
Many Indian journal founders ask about UGC. In 2025 the University Grants Commission discontinued the UGC-CARE journal list and issued Suggestive Parameters for Choosing Peer-Reviewed Journals, which institutions apply themselves. There is therefore no list a new journal can apply to. The practical goal is to meet those parameters openly: a real editorial board, transparent peer review, published ethics policies and regular publication. JMVRA is aligned with UGC's Suggested Parameters for Choosing Peer-Reviewed Journals. More background is on the UGC-CARE discontinuation page.
Mistakes to Avoid When You Start a New Journal
New journals rarely fail because of software. They fail because of decisions made in the first few months.
- Listing editors without consent, or listing students and research fellows as board members.
- Claiming indexing, impact factors or approvals the journal does not have.
- Copying another journal's name, design, scope or policies.
- Publishing whole issues as one PDF, or articles without abstracts and metadata.
- Announcing a frequency the journal cannot sustain.
- Accepting papers because the author has paid, or asking for payment before acceptance.
- Changing the title after the ISSN is assigned without informing the ISSN centre.
The Journey & Wisdom network brings the shared services a new journal needs into one place. JWBPN is the network hub that lists every service, from journal management and DOI registration to similarity checking and repositories. To discuss starting a journal with the team, visit the start a new journal page or email [email protected].
How to start a new journal, in one line: pick a real gap, recruit a real board, publish real policies, and then publish good papers on time, every time, for years.
How Journey & Wisdom Helps
JMVRA is published within the Journey & Wisdom group, which runs four shared services — similarity checking, journal management, DOI registration and conference management — and thirteen publication platforms. These are the ones that matter most for this guide. For anything not listed here, email [email protected] or message WhatsApp +91 91063 65667 to discuss your requirement.
JWJMS
Journal management systemRuns the editorial workflow: online submission portal, author dashboard, desk screening, reviewer invitations and reminders, revision rounds, decisions, issue building and publication scheduling — with a full record of every step.
jwjms.org
JWDOI
Crossref DOI registrationRegisters Crossref DOIs and deposits article metadata, and gives journals a sponsored DOI prefix without joining Crossref directly — for journals, books, chapters and proceedings.
jwdoi.org
JWSCAN
Plagiarism & similarity checkChecks a manuscript for similarity before submission with iThenticate (by Turnitin) and returns an overall similarity index with a source-by-source report editors can act on.
jwscan.org
OpenRGATE
Repository & discoveryA free open-access repository and journal-discovery platform where finished work is deposited so it stays findable.
openrgate.org
JWBPN
Network hubJournal Wave & Book Publication Network ties the journals, book platforms and shared services together and lists every service in one place.
jwbpn.orgSee every Journey & Wisdom product and platform · JW ecosystem map
How to start a new journal: step by step
Confirm the gap
Identify the community, the subject area and what your journal will publish that existing journals do not.
Write a short plan
Decide the access model, funding, frequency and the people who will run the journal for at least three years.
Define aims and scope
Name the discipline, sub-areas, audience, accepted article types and what is out of scope.
Choose and check the name
Search the ISSN databases, domain registries and trademark records, then fix one exact title and abbreviation.
Recruit the editorial board
Appoint an editor-in-chief and at least five senior board members with written consent and institutional email addresses.
Publish policies
Put peer review, ethics, authorship, conflicts of interest, licence, fees, corrections and archiving policies on the site.
Build the website and workflow
Set up a site with one page per article and citation meta tags, and a journal management system such as JWJMS or OJS.
Run the first call for papers
Invite submissions, check similarity, run independent peer review and accept only papers that meet your standards.
Publish the first issue
Release at least five original articles, each separately linked, with complete metadata.
Apply for the ISSN
Apply online to your national ISSN centre with the required documents, and respond promptly to any query.
Register DOIs
Join Crossref directly or through a sponsor such as JWDOI and deposit metadata for every article.
Follow the indexing roadmap
Make the journal discoverable in Google Scholar and repositories, then apply to DOAJ and selective databases when eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a new journal in India?
Define the scope, choose and check a unique title, recruit an editorial board of at least five senior members, publish policies, build a website with one page per article and publish a first issue of at least five original articles. Then apply online to the ISSN National Centre at CSIR-NIScPR for an online ISSN, which is free, and register DOIs through Crossref or a sponsor.
How much does it cost to start a journal?
The ISSN is free from ISSN India. The main costs are the domain and hosting, journal software or a managed system, similarity checking, Crossref DOI fees, copy-editing and typesetting, and editorial time. Costs depend heavily on volume and on how much work is done by volunteers, so build a three-year budget rather than a launch-only figure.
Can I get an ISSN before publishing the first issue?
For online journals in India, no. ISSN India does not assign online ISSNs ahead of publication; it assigns them after the first issue is released, with at least five articles for a non-annual journal. Print serials can request an ISSN up to one month before the first issue if an advanced mock-up is provided.
How many editorial board members does a new journal need?
ISSN India's guidelines set a minimum of five editorial board members, with complete addresses, designations and institutional email addresses shown on the website. For scholarly journals they should be senior faculty rather than students or research fellows, and journals that call themselves international should include members from reputed institutions abroad.
Do I need OJS to start a journal?
No. Open Journal Systems is a free, open-source option, but you must host, update and secure it yourself. A managed journal management system such as JWJMS provides submission, review, decisions and issue building without server work. Very small journals can start with email, but a proper system gives an audit trail that indexing evaluators and authors value.
How long does it take to start a journal?
Plan for roughly six months from decision to first issue, and longer if the board is not yet formed. The ISSN takes at least 30 working days after you apply, and applying is only possible once the first issue is online. Indexing in selective databases comes much later, typically after at least two years of regular publishing.
How can a new journal get indexed in Scopus?
Scopus generally requires at least two years of publication history before a journal is reviewed, along with an ISSN, regular publication, English abstracts, published ethics policies and peer-reviewed content. Applications are evaluated by the Content Selection and Advisory Board. No one can promise acceptance, so focus on meeting the published criteria consistently.
When can a new journal apply to DOAJ?
DOAJ accepts applications from open access journals that have more than one year of publishing history or have published at least ten open access research articles, and that publish at least five research articles a year. The journal also needs clear licensing, peer review and policy information on its website.
Is a DOI mandatory for a new journal?
It is not a legal requirement, but it is expected of a serious journal. DOIs give articles permanent links, carry metadata to discovery services and are checked by many indexes. A small journal can register DOIs without joining Crossref directly by using a sponsor such as JWDOI, which provides a sponsored DOI prefix.
Can a college or university start its own journal?
Yes, and institutional journals are common. ISSN India asks that journals brought out by institutions be linked to the institution's website. The institution should appoint an independent editor-in-chief, recruit external board members and reviewers so the journal is not only for its own staff, and commit a budget for several years.
Can I start a journal with a multidisciplinary scope?
Yes. Multidisciplinary journals are legitimate, and JMVRA is one. The scope should still list the disciplines it covers, and the board should include editors for each of them, so every paper is handled by someone who knows the field. Avoid a scope that simply says all subjects are welcome.
Can a new journal be UGC approved?
UGC discontinued the UGC-CARE list in 2025, so there is no list a new journal can join. UGC instead issued Suggestive Parameters for Choosing Peer-Reviewed Journals, which institutions apply. A new journal should meet those parameters openly through a genuine board, transparent peer review and published policies, without claiming a UGC number.
What policies should a new journal have?
At minimum: peer review, publication ethics and plagiarism, authorship, conflicts of interest, licence and copyright, fees and waivers, corrections and retractions, data and ethics approval, and archiving. Each should describe what the journal actually does. JMVRA's own policies page can be used as a working reference.
Should a new journal call itself international?
Only if it is international in fact. ISSN India expects journals described as international to have an editorial board that is international in scope, with members from reputed institutions abroad. Authorship and readership should also be international. A national journal with a clear audience is better than an international label the journal cannot support.
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Publish Your Research in JMVRA
Peer-reviewed, open access (CC BY 4.0), monthly and multidisciplinary · ISSN 2984-8911 · ₹971 for Indian authors and US$41 for international authors, payable only after acceptance.