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What is UGC-CARE List: A 2026 Guide for Indian Students
What the UGC-CARE List is, why it matters, how to access and verify it on the official portal, what Group I and Group II actually mean — and how to use all of it for your academic success.
If you’re a student, researcher, or academic in India planning to publish your research paper, you’ve probably heard about the UGC-CARE List. But what exactly is it, and why is it so important in 2026?
This blog will help you understand everything about the UGC-CARE List—what it is, why it matters, and how to use it effectively for your academic success.
Please note: UGC discontinued the UGC-CARE List by Public Notice dated 3 October 2024 (584th UGC Meeting) and replaced it with suggestive parameters for selecting credible peer-reviewed journals. Most Indian institutions still ask authors about UGC-CARE, so the guide below explains the list in full — see the UGC 2026 peer-reviewed journal policy for what applies now.
🌟 The basics
What is the UGC-CARE List?
UGC-CARE stands for University Grants Commission – Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics. Introduced in 2019, this initiative was designed to promote high-quality research and eliminate predatory or unethical publishing practices.
The UGC-CARE List is a curated set of reputed and verified journals across various disciplines that Indian students and faculty can safely publish in, especially for meeting academic and career requirements such as:
Faculty promotions under CAS (Career Advancement Scheme)
Grant applications and fellowships
Academic credibility and visibility
✅ Three reasons
Why is the UGC-CARE List Important in 2026?
The academic world is rapidly evolving, and the pressure to publish quality research has never been higher.
Avoid Fake Journals
Many questionable journals still exist online. Publishing in non-recognized journals may result in your research being discredited.
Academic Validation
Indian universities and institutions only recognize publications from journals listed in UGC-CARE for academic promotions and evaluation.
Research Impact
Journals on the UGC-CARE List are often indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and other reputed databases, helping improve your research reach and citations.
Publishing in a recognised, peer-reviewed journal protects the work you have already done. Read the call for papers, then submit when your manuscript fits our scope.
₹971 INR Indian authors · $41 USD international · payable after acceptance🛠️ At the source, not from a claim
How to Access the UGC-CARE List
To view the updated journal list:
Visit the official UGC-CARE website: https://ugccare.unipune.ac.in
Click on “UGC-CARE List”
Filter journals by subject, language, or ISSN
Check publication details and indexing before submission
🔗 Pro Tip: Always verify a journal directly from the UGC-CARE portal before submitting your paper. Don’t trust third-party claims or websites.
Verifying a journal, in four moves
🧠 Before you submit
Tips for Indian Students Planning to Publish in 2026
Start Early
Begin looking for suitable journals when you start writing your paper.
Check Guidelines
Each journal has different submission requirements. Read them carefully.
Focus on Quality
Choose journals that match your paper’s subject and research scope.
Stay Updated
UGC-CARE updates its list regularly—journals can be added or removed based on review.
📚 Bonus
Categories of Journals in UGC-CARE
The list is categorized into two groups:
Journals found qualified through UGC-CARE protocols
Journals indexed in globally recognized databases like Scopus, Web of Science, etc.
✍️ Final thoughts
A Mark of Academic Integrity
Publishing in a UGC-CARE listed journal is more than a checkbox—it’s a mark of academic integrity and quality. As a student or researcher in India, aligning your work with UGC standards will help you build a strong academic profile, enhance your credibility, and open doors to global opportunities.
UGC CARE Approved Parameters Aligned
Where JMVRA stands under the framework that replaced the list
JMVRA is a Transparent, Peer-Reviewed, Open Access Journal (Refereed Journal). Following the discontinuation of the UGC and UGC-CARE journal listing, and in alignment with the latest UGC-CARE recommendations and guidelines, JMVRA is aligned with UGC’s Suggested Parameters for Choosing Peer-Reviewed Journals.
No UGC journal number is quoted: UGC no longer maintains a journal list, so none exists for a journal founded after 2019. Verify the journal through its ISSN record, review policy, archive and fee page instead. UGC public notice (PDF)
🔍 Related resource
Publishing Your First Research Paper in India
Want to learn more about how to publish your first research paper in India? Check out this step-by-step guide on Publishing Your First Research Paper in India — it covers current journal guidelines and the complete submission process, stage by stage.
Ready to submit? Confirm scope and deadlines in the call for papers first, then send your manuscript through the online submission page.
₹971 INR Indian authors · $41 USD international · payable after acceptanceSubmit Your Paper to JMVRA
Peer-reviewed, open access, ISSN 2984-8911. Read the call for papers, then submit online.
Questions? [email protected]
Keep reading
Related Guides
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Popular Search Terms
UGC-CARE List basics
For Indian students & researchers
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Popular questions and answers
UGC-CARE List FAQs
These visible answers also power the FAQ structured data on this page.
What is the UGC-CARE List?
UGC-CARE stands for University Grants Commission – Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics. Introduced in 2019, the UGC-CARE List is a curated set of reputed and verified journals across various disciplines that Indian students and faculty could publish in to meet academic and career requirements.
What does UGC-CARE stand for?
University Grants Commission – Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics. It was introduced in 2019 to promote high-quality research and eliminate predatory or unethical publishing practices.
Why is the UGC-CARE List important for Indian students in 2026?
It helps you avoid fake journals, it is what Indian universities and institutions recognise for academic promotions and evaluation, and journals on the list are often indexed in Scopus, Web of Science and other reputed databases, which improves research reach and citations.
What is the UGC-CARE List used for?
Ph.D. submissions, faculty promotions under CAS (Career Advancement Scheme), grant applications and fellowships, and general academic credibility and visibility.
How do I access or check the UGC-CARE List?
Visit the official UGC-CARE website at ugccare.unipune.ac.in, click on "UGC-CARE List", filter journals by subject, language or ISSN, and check publication details and indexing before submission. Always verify a journal directly from the UGC-CARE portal rather than trusting third-party claims or websites.
What is the difference between Group I and Group II?
Group I holds journals found qualified through UGC-CARE protocols. Group II holds journals indexed in globally recognised databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and similar.
Is the UGC-CARE List still being updated?
UGC discontinued the UGC-CARE List by Public Notice dated 3 October 2024 (584th UGC Meeting) and replaced it with a suggestive-parameters policy for selecting credible peer-reviewed journals. The list remains the reference many Indian institutions still ask authors about, which is why it is explained here in full.
How do I verify a journal before I submit my paper?
Check the journal directly on the official portal by name or ISSN, read its scope and past issues, confirm its stated indexing at the indexer's own site, and read its submission guidelines before you pay anything.
Is JMVRA on the UGC-CARE List?
Verify that the same way you would verify any journal — search our ISSN on the official UGC portal yourself rather than relying on a claim from us or from anyone else. We make no UGC-CARE listing claim on this page.
Where do I submit my paper to JMVRA?
Read the current call for papers to confirm scope, article types and deadlines, then submit through the official online submission page.
Question not answered here? Email [email protected] — or go straight to the current call for papers.
₹971 INR Indian authors · $41 USD international · payable after acceptance
