How to Choose an Affordable Peer-Reviewed Journal After UGC-CARE
What the UGC-CARE list was, why the listing framework was discontinued, what the archived reference list does and does not mean, and how to select a credible, affordable peer-reviewed journal under UGC’s current recommendations.
Affordable Academic Publishing and UGC Recommendations
For years, Indian researchers asked one question before submitting a paper: is this journal in the UGC-CARE list? That question no longer has a simple answer. UGC discontinued the UGC-CARE journal listing framework, and the list that remains is an archive kept for reference.
This does not mean researchers can no longer publish in peer-reviewed journals, or that every journal is now equally acceptable. It means the responsibility for judging a journal has moved to researchers and their institutions, guided by UGC’s suggested parameters for choosing peer-reviewed journals. This guide explains the change and gives you a practical way to choose an affordable, credible journal.
What Was the UGC-CARE Journal List?
UGC-CARE (Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics) was set up by the University Grants Commission to identify and maintain a reference list of quality journals, after concerns about publications in predatory and low-quality journals. Researchers, selection committees and universities used the list as a quick reference when judging publications for appointments, promotions and research degrees.
The list was organised in groups — journals evaluated by UGC-CARE, and journals indexed in recognised databases — and was updated periodically, with journals added and removed after evaluation. Cloned and hijacked versions of listed journals became a persistent problem, as fake websites copied the titles and ISSNs of listed journals.
Why Was the UGC-CARE Listing Framework Discontinued?
UGC decided to move away from a centrally maintained list. In its public notice of 16 July 2025, UGC confirmed the discontinuation and stated that the list as it stood is archived for reference only. The reasoning, as commonly understood, includes:
Lists age quickly
Journals change ownership, quality and practices faster than a central list can be updated.
Cloning and misuse
Fake websites exploited listed titles, misleading authors.
Box-ticking
A list encouraged “is it listed?” rather than “is it good?”
Institutional responsibility
Universities are better placed to judge journals in their own disciplines.
Choosing a journal for a PhD or appraisal paper? Read the author guidelines and peer review policy before you submit.
₹971 INR Indian authors · $41 USD foreign authors · payable only after acceptanceA Short Timeline of UGC’s Journal Policy
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | UGC set up UGC-CARE and began publishing the UGC-CARE reference list of journals |
| 2019–2024 | The list was revised periodically; journals were added and removed, and cloned titles were flagged |
| 3 October 2024 | UGC decided to discontinue the UGC-CARE journal listing |
| 11 February 2025 | The discontinuation was announced, with suggestive parameters for choosing peer-reviewed journals |
| 16 July 2025 | A public notice confirmed the list is archived for reference and does not imply current validation or endorsement |
The practical effect for authors is simple: a journal’s past listing tells you its history, not its current standing. Judge the journal as it is today, and note the date of every check you make.
Papers you published while a journal was listed are not erased by the change. How an institution treats them is its own decision, so keep the evidence you had at the time — screenshots, acceptance letters and the journal’s policy pages — with each paper.
What Is the Current Status of the UGC-CARE Reference List?
Four claims are often confused. They are not interchangeable, and it helps to keep them apart:
Four separate questions — a journal can satisfy one without satisfying the others.
| Claim | What it tells you | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Appears in the archived UGC-CARE list | It was listed when the list was maintained | The archived list; note it is reference only |
| Follows peer-reviewed publishing practice | How the journal handles papers today | Policies, review evidence, editorial board |
| Indexed in Scopus or Web of Science | Selective database coverage | Scopus Sources list; Clarivate Master Journal List |
| Meets your institution’s requirement | Whether this paper counts for you | Your university or employer, in writing |
Understanding UGC’s Suggestive Parameters for Choosing Peer-Reviewed Journals
In place of a list, UGC has issued suggestive parameters that researchers and institutions can apply to any journal. They cover broad areas such as:
| Area | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Journal identity | Title, ISSN verified on the ISSN Portal, publisher and address |
| Editorial governance | A named, qualified editorial board with verifiable affiliations |
| Peer review | A written review policy and evidence such as reviewer comments |
| Publication ethics | Policies on plagiarism, authorship, conflicts, corrections and retractions |
| Transparency of charges | Fees published in advance, with timing and inclusions |
| Publishing regularity and access | Regular issues, an accessible archive, clear licensing |
| Indexing and identifiers | Verifiable database coverage and DOIs where offered |
JMVRA’s position, in the journal’s own words: 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. Our UGC and UGC-CARE journal details page sets out where JMVRA stands against each parameter, including those it does not yet publish.
Can Researchers Publish in Peer-Reviewed Journals After UGC-CARE?
Yes. Researchers continue to publish in peer-reviewed journals; what has changed is how a journal is judged. Instead of looking for a name on a list, you assess the journal against the parameters and your institution’s rules, and you keep evidence of that assessment.
Do
- Ask your institution what it currently accepts
- Assess the journal against UGC’s parameters
- Keep review comments and policy pages with your paper
- Choose journals you can verify independently
Avoid
- Accepting any “UGC-CARE approved” claim without asking for its basis
- Assuming UGC guarantees any journal
- Paying agents who promise “approved” publication
- Choosing a journal you cannot verify
How to Identify Affordable and Credible Journals
Affordability and credibility can go together. Shortlist journals whose scope matches your paper, then compare them on evidence rather than labels. A journal that charges a modest fee only after acceptance, publishes its policies and shares reviewer comments is easier to defend in front of a committee than a journal that relies on badges.
For a worked example of building an evidence file for a committee, see UGC-CARE alternatives: an evidence-based way to choose journals.
Before submitting, review the journal’s peer-review policy, editorial standards, fees and your institution’s requirements.
₹971 INR Indian authors · $41 USD foreign authors · payable only after acceptanceWhat Should Researchers Check Before Submission?
ISSN and journal identity
Verify the ISSN on the ISSN Portal; title, publisher and country must match. JMVRA’s ISSN is 2984-8911.
Editorial board credentials
Named members, real institutions, profiles you can open and check.
Transparent peer review
A written process and, after review, comments you can read and answer.
Publication ethics
Plagiarism threshold, authorship, conflicts of interest, corrections and retractions.
Publication charges
Amount, inclusions and timing, published before submission.
Archiving and indexing
An accessible archive, clear licence and indexing you can confirm in the database.
Affordable Publication Options for PhD Scholars
PhD scholars face the strictest requirements, because publications can be part of thesis submission rules. Practical steps:
- Read your university’s current PhD ordinance and any circular on journal selection.
- Agree the target journal with your supervisor before submission.
- Keep the acceptance letter, reviewer comments, payment receipt and article link together.
- Avoid publishing the same results twice; plan which chapter becomes which paper.
| Item | JMVRA |
|---|---|
| Fee | ₹971 INR (Indian) / $41 USD (foreign), only after acceptance |
| Peer review | Transparent, double-blind; comments shared with authors |
| Similarity threshold | Below 15% |
| Indexing | Google Scholar; Crossref DOI on request; not Scopus, WoS or DOAJ |
| Licence | CC BY 4.0 open access |
Questions to Ask Your Institution Before You Submit
Because institutions now decide what counts, a short written answer from your research office, PhD committee or IQAC saves trouble later. Useful questions:
Which criteria apply to this paper?
For a PhD submission, an appraisal, a promotion or a project report, the rules may differ.
Does the institution use UGC’s parameters, its own list or both?
Some universities maintain internal lists; others assess journal by journal.
Are particular databases required?
If Scopus or Web of Science is mandatory, choose journals indexed there and verify the coverage years.
What evidence should be submitted?
Acceptance letter, review comments, article link, journal policies — ask what format they prefer.
How are older papers treated?
Papers published while the UGC-CARE list was maintained may be judged by the rules in force at the time.
Keep the institution’s reply with your records. If the criteria change later, you can show that your choice met the rules when you made it.
Common Misconceptions About UGC-CARE and Journal Publication
| Misconception | Reality |
|---|---|
| “The UGC-CARE list is still updated.” | The listing framework is discontinued; the list is archived for reference |
| “Archived listing means the journal is endorsed now.” | UGC’s notice says it does not imply current validation or endorsement |
| “UGC guarantees publication validity.” | Institutions decide what counts, using UGC’s parameters |
| “Only Scopus papers count now.” | Requirements vary by institution and purpose; check yours |
| “Low fee means not acceptable.” | Fees and quality are separate; judge the evidence |
Make an informed decision: check the policies, then submit your manuscript online.
₹971 INR Indian authors · $41 USD foreign authors · payable only after acceptanceConclusion
The end of the UGC-CARE listing framework shifted the question from “is it listed?” to “is it a credible peer-reviewed journal for my purpose?”. Check identity, editorial board, peer review, ethics, charges and indexing; confirm your institution’s requirement; and keep evidence. An affordable journal that passes these checks is a defensible choice.
Next, read about transparent peer review and the standard publication process, or how to judge impact factor claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers are also published as FAQ structured data for search engines.
Is the UGC-CARE list still active?
No. UGC discontinued the UGC-CARE journal listing framework; the list is archived for reference only.
Does a journal in the archived UGC-CARE list count as approved today?
According to UGC’s 16 July 2025 notice, inclusion in the archived list does not imply current validation or endorsement.
How should I choose a journal now?
Use UGC’s suggestive parameters for peer-reviewed journals and your institution’s current rules, and keep evidence of your assessment.
Can I still publish in a low-cost peer-reviewed journal?
Yes, if the journal is credible and meets your institution’s requirements. Fee level and quality are separate questions.
What is JMVRA’s position on UGC?
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.
Is a Scopus-indexed journal the same as a UGC-CARE journal?
No. Scopus indexing, the archived UGC-CARE list and an institution’s requirement are different claims.
What documents should a PhD scholar keep for each paper?
The acceptance letter, reviewer comments, payment receipt, article link and the journal’s policy pages.
How much does JMVRA charge?
₹971 INR for Indian authors or $41 USD for foreign authors, only after acceptance, covering up to five authors.
Still deciding? Read the author guidelines and the publication charges, then submit when your manuscript is ready.
₹971 INR Indian authors · $41 USD foreign authors · payable only after acceptanceRelated Guides
Popular Search Terms
UGC and UGC-CARE
Peer-reviewed publishing
Submit Your Paper to JMVRA
Peer-reviewed, open access, ISSN 2984-8911. Free to submit; the fee of ₹971 INR (Indian authors) or $41 USD (foreign authors) applies only after acceptance.
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