UGC CARE Indexing Crisis and Rising Academic Stress in Indian Higher Education System

UGC CARE Indexing Crisis and Rising Academic Stress in Indian Higher Education System

Richa Mittal
Advocate, Delhi High Court

(SAMAJ WEEKLY)- In recent times, the integrity of the UGC-CARE indexing criteria has come under scrutiny, raising significant concerns within the academic community regarding the selection and evaluation of journals. This issue has profound implications not only for the quality of academic research but also for the careers of researchers and faculty members relying on indexed publications for scholarly advancement. The UGC-CARE list, intended to serve as a benchmark for quality in academic publishing, has faced criticism for its lax approach to journal inclusion. A recent investigation highlighted by The Asian Independent[i] sheds light on several critical points:

1.  Inconsistent Quality Standards: The criteria for inclusion in the UGC-CARE list appear inconsistent and opaque, leading to the inclusion of journals that do not meet the publishing standards. This inconsistency undermines the credibility of the list as a reliable resource for identifying reputable journals. Recent findings from Right to Information (RTI) inquiries have exposed a lack of transparency, undisclosed criteria for journal approval, and questions about the qualifications of the empowered committee. The Central Information Commission (CIC) has weighed in on the matter, directing the UGC to provide information on journals received and selected for the UGC CARE list[ii].
2. The publishing standard criterions assessment by UGC CARE Indexing system is apparent in the newly added journal to the UGC CARE list revealing a concerning decline in quality. Recent analyses underscore this alarming trend, highlighting discrepancies between the claimed standards and the observed practices of these journals. Instances have surfaced where journals tout rigorous peer-review processes and adherence to scholarly norms, only to demonstrate swift acceptance of manuscripts without substantive revisions or comprehensive peer scrutiny. Such practices not only compromise the integrity of academic publishing but also undermine the credibility of the UGC CARE indexing system itself. As scholars and institutions rely heavily on the rigor and reliability of indexed journals for academic advancement and research funding,  authors and institutions, left with limited alternatives, have been burdened by the financial strain of the scopus/wos indexed journals. The institutions, scholars and faculty are rushing toward Scopus indexing, despite the hefty costs involved, ranging from $300 to $4,000 per article.
3. The journey to secure inclusion in the UGC CARE list is a complex and multi-layered process, intricately woven through various institutions. Initially, journals aspiring for inclusion are submitted by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of their respective institutions. These submissions then undergo scrutiny at four zonal institutions in the northern region, which include esteemed names such as Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Ultimately, the final assessment and approval take place at the UGC CARE unit located at Savitribai Phule University. This rigorous process of the office system underscores the extensive vetting and evaluation that journals must undergo to achieve recognition on the UGC CARE list.
4. The inclusion of substandard journals in the UGC-CARE list threatens research integrity by facilitating the dissemination of unreliable and unverified research findings. This poses risks to scholarly communication and the advancement of knowledge within academic disciplines.

Adding to these concerns are specific instances from recently added journals in UGC-Care list in july 2024 that highlight the severity of the issue:

1. Despite its claims of peer review, the journal has been criticized for rapid manuscript acceptance without substantive revisions, suggesting potential lapses in the review process. A recent article published in the journal received its acceptance remarkably quickly, with the manuscript being received on 27th March 2024 and accepted on 1st April 2024 without requiring revisions. This raises questions about the thoroughness of its peer-review process[iii].  The journal requires authors to pay Article Processing Charges (APC) after their manuscripts are accepted for publication. These charges cover handling, editorial, and production costs associated with open access publishing, and once paid, the fee is non-refundable[iv].
2. This journal exhibits irregular publication schedules and lacks essential structural elements such as proper referencing in published articles, raising doubts about the reliability of its content[v]. With no functional website, questions arise about the journal’s adherence to editorial standards and publication integrity.
3. One of the recently added Journal’s webpage “About Us” and “Aims and Scope” sections of a recently added journal “GA” journal[vi]. Is it expected from a University owned Journals? Rapid publications of the articles[vii], mentions received date:10 February 2024, Accepted Date:15 February 2024 in one of the published articles raises concerns over the following peer-reviewed process.
4. In another journal the current issue from January to June 2023 of the journal (which lacks regularity) [viii]It is noteworthy that the upload dates of articles in December 2023 and December 22 are particularly surprising, raising concerns about the transparency and consistency of the journal’s selection process.
5. Lack of transparency in editorial board composition and contact details raises concerns about the journal’s adherence to ethical publishing practices and editorial oversight[ix] .
6. APCs coupled with inadequate publication records and abstract presentation cast doubts on the ethics committee commitment to passing criteria for indexing based on the last two year publication records. The Journal has an electronic ISSN and is mandated to provide at least access to the metadata of the manuscript[x].

The ongoing inclusion of such journals on the UGC-CARE list not only undermines the trustworthiness of academic publishing but also poses several grave consequences:

Researchers and institutions risk associating themselves with publications of questionable quality, compromising their academic credibility and standing within the global research community. Additionally, scholars and faculty members relying on UGC-CARE indexed journals may face challenges in securing funding, career advancement opportunities in HEIs, and international collaborations due to concerns about the reliability of published research.

India’s reputation in global academia is suffering as a result of the inclusion of journals that do not meet international publishing standards, impacting collaborations and research partnerships. The inclusion of journals with substandard editorial processes undermines the trustworthiness of academic publishing, discouraging scholars from contributing to and engaging with Indian journals.

The Ethics Committee overseeing the UGC-CARE indexing criteria needs to reassess and strengthen its standards for journal inclusion. It is imperative to uphold rigorous editorial and publication practices with right experts for evaluation of the journals to maintain the integrity and reliability of academic research in India. Failure to address these issues risks further eroding the trust and confidence of the global academic community in Indian scholarly outputs.

[i] https://theasianindependent.co.uk/revealing-the-truth-ugc-care-indexing-services-under-scrutiny/
[ii] CIC decisions case Id: CIC/UGCOM/A/2022/660648
[iii] https://jcbsonline.ac.in/articles/opportunistic-screening-for-hypertension-and-obesity-among-patients-attending-a-tertiary-care-hospital-in-bangalore-india
[iv] https://jcbsonline.ac.in/fee
[v] https://mptribalmuseum.com/publications.html
[vi] https://ga.bujournals.com/author-guidelines
[vii] https://ga.bujournals.com/articles/mapping-the-invisible-a-comprehensive-study-of-covid-19-diffusion-over-space-and-time
[viii] https://aiamswp.org.in/journal/home/
[ix] https://intesabaalami.org/editorial-board/
[x] https://ispm.co.in/doc/APC_w.e.f_August_01_2023.pdf

(*Richa Mittal, Advocate Delhi High Court, is a distinguished professional with a multifaceted background as an economist and advocate practicing at the Delhi High Court. Her extensive expertise in both the legal and economic domains has positioned her as a leading authority in navigating the intricate intersection of law and economics. With a profound commitment to justice and a keen analytical mind, Richa has made remarkable contributions to the legal and economic landscape in India)