UGC Journal Guidelines for 2026

Over the years, “UGC Parameters” simply meant looking something up on a list. That list no longer exists, and the guidelines that came after it expect authors and institutions to examine the journal on their own. This guide covers what changed, what holds in 2026, how you can vet any journal within minutes, and the precise steps for publishing at JMVRA.

UGC Parameters, in Brief

The UGC Approved list served as the University Grants Commission’s earliest reference list of journals. The UGC-CARE list (Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics) took its place, first published in 2019. At its 584th meeting on 3 October 2024, UGC resolved to end CARE listing; the closing list (1,474 journals as on 10 February 2025) was kept as an archive for reference, and the end of the listing was confirmed on 16 July 2025. Knowing this history helps you read older guidance with appropriate caution.

What Applies Now

In 2026 no central UGC or UGC-CARE list of journals exists. UGC issued Suggestive Parameters for Choosing Peer-Reviewed Journals, and every university or institution applies them on its own, frequently via an internal committee, to decide whether a publication counts towards a PhD, API score or promotion. Because practice differs between institutions, written confirmation from yours is worth more than general advice.

The 35 Suggestive Parameters

UGC’s notice sets out 35 parameters in 8 groups in Annexure-I. This is how JMVRA responds to them; each parameter is presented with supporting evidence on JMVRA & UGC CARE:

The overall tally is 28 met, 2 partly met, 3 not published, 2 not applicable. The unpublished items are acceptance rate, self-citation score and total citation rate; print continuum and CiteScore do not apply. Shortfalls are displayed openly rather than concealed.

UGC Parameters Guidelines Checklist for Authors

Check	What to look for
Registered ISSN	Can be checked at the ISSN Portal against the exact title
Peer review	A clearly published review procedure stating who reviews and how
Editorial board	Editors listed by name, with affiliations that can be verified
Charges	Announced ahead of submission and charged solely after acceptance
Plagiarism screening	A declared similarity threshold, applied before review
Indexing claims	Each can be confirmed on the service’s own website
Ethics & corrections	Published policies that cover retractions
Regular issues	An open archive consistent with the stated frequency

Step-by-Step: Checking a Journal Today

1. Confirm the ISSNSearch the ISSN Portal and compare the exact title.
2. Study the review policyIt ought to explain how review proceeds and who carries it out.
3. Investigate the publisherExpect a real postal address, a business email domain and a working phone line.
4. Try a DOIPaste one of its DOIs into doi.org; you should land on the journal’s own website.
5. Browse the archiveEarlier issues should be there and fit the declared frequency.
6. Locate the feeStated in advance, and never requested ahead of review.

Searching the former CARE portal is no longer the benchmark. For every journal, the parameters and the checks listed above now serve that purpose.

Step-by-Step: How to Publish at JMVRA

Step	What happens	At JMVRA
1. Prepare	Prepare the manuscript with an abstract, keywords and references	Publication guidelines plus a template
2. Submit	Submit through the portal or send it to the editor by email	Submit online — you receive a paper ID
3. Screening	Subject fit, declarations and similarity	Screened with Turnitin / iThenticate; similarity kept below 15%
4. Peer review	Transparent, double-blind assessment by subject specialists	3,000+ reviewers; decision by email & WhatsApp; no fixed turnaround promised
5. Revision	Reply to each reviewer comment in turn	Comments passed to the author without reviewer names
6. Acceptance	Sign the undertaking online, then pay	Charged only once accepted: ₹971 INR / $41 USD, for up to 5 authors
7. Track	Track progress using your paper ID	Track your paper
8. Publish	Published open access under CC BY 4.0; certificates provided	Crossref DOI available on request; the review is logged on Scholar9

Group I and Group II (Historical)

During its existence, the UGC-CARE list was split into two groups: Group I journals passed UGC-CARE’s own assessment, while Group II journals were admitted because recognised international databases indexed them. With the list now discontinued, no journal holds a current listing in either group. For background, see the UGC CARE list explained. Treat any claim of present Group I or Group II status as outdated.

How to Avoid Cloned or Fake Journals

A cloned journal borrows the name, ISSN and even the layout of a real one in order to collect fees. Before you submit or make any payment:

1. Enter the domain by handDo not use a payment link that arrives in an unsolicited email.
2. Compare the ISSNThe ISSN shown on the website has to agree with the ISSN Portal entry.
3. Verify by emailWhen unsure, contact the editor at the official address before anything else.

How JMVRA Puts These Guidelines Into Practice

The impact factor of JMVRA (11.25) is stated to be derived from Google Scholar data, and the journal says plainly that Scopus, Web of Science and DOAJ do not index it. Read the full UGC CARE page and the UGC Parameters status page.

At-a-Glance Checklist

1. Notice readUGC public notice of 16 July 2025
2. Parameters appliedEvery group verified with supporting evidence
3. Wording correctNo suggestion of a present CARE listing
4. Institution consultedIts present rule, obtained in writing
5. Evidence keptDated links and screenshots

Turning Journal Guidelines Into a Working Author Routine

Guidelines only help when they become habits. Here is a simple routine that lets authors and scholars apply published expectations without slowing down their writing or submission schedule.

• Check the journal before drafting. Review a candidate journal's scope and policies before you write, not after. Early checking prevents wasted effort on a paper that cannot be placed anywhere suitable.
• Beware of imitation websites. Type the journal address yourself rather than following links in emails. Compare the domain spelling with the address shown in official records or the publisher's own channels.
• Keep one tracking sheet. Record each journal you assess, the evidence found and the date of checking in a single sheet. A tidy record makes it easy to repeat checks before final submission.
• Discuss borderline cases with your guide. If a journal looks acceptable but something feels unclear, talk to your supervisor or librarian before paying anything. A second opinion costs little and often settles doubts quickly.

Make journal checking a short, repeatable routine with saved evidence, and consult your guide whenever a detail looks uncertain.

Questions Researchers Often Ask