UGC CARE Journal Publication Assistance: What Scholars Need to Know Before Submitting
Since the UGC CARE (Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics) list replaced the earlier UGC-approved journal list, it has become the standard reference for publication compliance across Indian universities. Yet every year, we see scholars — sometimes just weeks before their thesis submission — discover that a journal they published in has been removed from the list, or was never on it to begin with.
This guide covers what to check, in what order, before you submit anywhere.
UGC CARE maintains two groups:
- Group I — Journals that met the initial screening and quality criteria
- Group II — Journals identified through UGC CARE’s own broader indexing process (including several international databases)
Importantly, UGC CARE periodically updates this list — journals can be added, and journals can be removed for quality or ethical violations. A journal that was listed when you started your PhD may not be listed by the time you submit your thesis.
This is the single most important step, and the one most frequently skipped. Scholars often work from a journal list PDF downloaded a year earlier, shared by a senior or found online. Verify directly on the official UGC CARE portal at the time of submission — not before.
Beyond current listing status, check whether the journal has faced any integrity concerns — retractions, editorial board resignations, or unusually high self-citation rates. UGC CARE has removed journals for exactly these reasons before, and a paper published just before delisting can still create complications during thesis evaluation, depending on your university’s specific policy.
Not every discipline or university treats UGC CARE the same way. Some departments require UGC CARE Group I specifically; others accept Group II or treat Scopus/Web of Science as an alternative equally acceptable path. Confirm this with your research committee in writing, ideally documented in your synopsis approval, so there’s no ambiguity later.
Ethically sound UGC CARE journals still expect genuine peer review, meaning your manuscript needs the same rigor as any indexed submission: clear problem statement, sound methodology, honest results discussion, and proper citation practice. Avoid any service or journal promising “guaranteed fast publication” — that phrase alone is one of the clearest predatory-journal warning signs.
We assist scholars with:
- Live verification of UGC CARE status before submission (Group I and Group II)
- Ethics and indexing history checks for shortlisted journals
- Manuscript preparation and formatting aligned to journal requirements
- Coordination support if your university requires a formal indexing declaration
Our approach is to protect you from the two most damaging outcomes — a delisted journal
discovered too late, or a predatory journal mistaken for a legitimate one.
Need a journal verified or shortlisted before you submit? Contact Mindscape Research for a free UGC CARE verification check.
How to Get Started with Mindscape Research
Getting started is straightforward:
1. Visit: www.mindscaperesearch.com
2. Call/WhatsApp: +91 81227 40901
3. Email: Support@mindscaperesearch.com
4. Schedule a Quick Call or Request a Demo through their website
5. Discuss your research needs with their expert team
6. Receive a customized research assistance plan
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