How to Check If a Journal Is Still in the UGC CARE List

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Introduction: Why UGC CARE Verification Matters in 2026 (Why Now)

With research and publication being key determinants of PhD outcome, career progression for teachers (Promotion, recruitment) and ranking of institutions in India, it was inevitable that the Indian higher education had to address the deteriorating quality and proliferating number of papers published in journals run by predatory publishers. As part of measures undertaken by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to improve quality of research outputs and weed out research in predatory journals, it put in place the UGC CARE (Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics) List.

Yet, a large number of universities, colleges and institutions still want or demand publications in UGC CARE listed journals. That may be a particular kind of journal, because the position/status of the journals changes with time due to various factors like the reviews in the journal, changes in policy, ethical violations. So it is essential that before submitting your research paper, you check whether the given journal is listed in the current UGC CARE list.

Here’s How You can check the UGC CARE journal status!

What is the UGC CARE List?

UGC CARE a Journal Identification System developed by UGC to provide quality journals.

The purpose is to:

Promote ethical publishing
Reduce predatory journal publications
Improve academic research standards

Why the UGC CARE List Was Introduced

Before the establishment of UGC CARE, most of the research appeared in:

Fake journals
Predatory journals
Low-quality publications

This affected:

Research credibility
Academic standards
Institutional reputation

UGC-CARE introduced for good research publication.

Why Verifying UGC CARE Status is Important

Journal status may change because:

Journals can be removed from the list
Indexing policies may change
Ethical violations may occur

But publishing it in an isolated journal will certainly cause academic problems in the future.

How to Verify if a Journal is Still in the UGC CARE List

Step 1: Visit the Official UGC CARE Website

Always use the official platform.

Researchers should be cautioned against depending primarily on:

Journal websites
Advertisements
Third-party claims

Official verification is essential.

Step 2: Access the UGC CARE Journal Search

The UGC CARE portal features a searchable portal of the database enables researchers to determine if:

Journal title
ISSN number
Publisher details
Subject category

Step 3: Search by ISSN Number

Searching with the ISSN is the most effective way as it allows:

Journal names may be similar
Some journals use misleading titles

ISSN provides accurate identification.

Step 4: Check Journal Status Carefully

Verify whether the journal is:

Active in UGC CARE
Removed or discontinued
Listed in Group I or Group II

Status updates matter.

Step 5: Verify Publisher Information

Ensure:

Publisher details match official records
ISSN and journal title are correct

Predatory journals can also fake the name of respected journal titles.

Understanding UGC CARE Categories

Group I Journals

List of Journal approved & recommended directly thru U.G.C. CARE examination & verification process

Group II Journals

Journals included in globally esteemed databases like:

Scopus
Web of Science

These would likely be implicitly considered true, or at least worthy of a consideration of truth.

How Journals Get Removed from UGC CARE

Journals may be removed due to:

Predatory practices
Poor publication quality
Ethical violations
Fake indexing claims
Editorial problems

It is essential to check status periodically before submitting.

Practical Example

The researcher intends to publish paper in the journal with a claim of UGC-CARE indexed.

Before submission, the researcher:

Searches the ISSN on the official UGC CARE portal
Finds that the journal was removed recently

Prohibits publishing in a journal that is not approved.

Warning Signs Researchers Should Watch For

Fake UGC CARE Claims

Some journals falsely advertise:

UGC CARE Approved

without actual listing.

Always verify independently.

Suspicious Websites

Warning signs include:

Poor website quality
Fake impact factors
Unrealistic publication promises

Spam Emails

Predatory journals may send:

Aggressive invitations
Guaranteed publication offers
Fast acceptance promises

Difference Between UGC CARE and Scopus

Feature	UGC CARE	Scopus
Managed By	UGC India	Elsevier
Focus	Indian academic quality control	International indexing
Usage	Promotions, academic requirements	Global research visibility

Some journals may appear in both systems.

Common Mistakes Researchers Make

Trusting journal websites without verification
Checking only journal title, not ISSN
Using outdated UGC CARE lists
Ignoring removal notices
Confusing fake indexing with real approval

How Often Should Researchers Verify?

Researchers should verify:

Before manuscript submission
Before paying publication fees
Before citing journal approval in applications

Journal status may change at any time.

Tips for Safe Journal Selection

Use official databases only
Verify ISSN carefully
Check publisher credibility
Consult supervisors if uncertain
Avoid journals promising guaranteed publication

UGC CARE and Academic Promotions

University libraries at most of the Indian universities will prefer UGC CARE publications:

Faculty promotions
API scoring
PhD submission requirements
Recruitment evaluations

Proper journal verification thus becomes increasingly significant.

Ethical Publishing Considerations

Researchers should prioritize:

Journal quality
Peer review standards
Research ethics

Not only UGC CARE status.

Quantity of papers written is not the important part; good research quality matters more.

Future of UGC CARE in 2026

The importance of academic appraisal has grown since 2026, in that the evaluation methods have started:

Research quality
Ethical publishing
International visibility
Citation impact

Systems of UGC CARE continue developing together with global indexing.

Conclusion

It is crucial to check if the journal is still active on UGC CARE list for a responsible publication in 2026. As the year may be the variable, we should always keep in mind to undertake an official check before submitting any manuscript or considering any fee.

Checking ISSN information, consulting official journal directories and untrustworthy journal advertisements can prevent academics from damaging their professional statuses.