📘 IJNRD and the UGC CARE 2025 Policy: Everything You Need to Know

✅ Introduction: Understanding the UGC CARE 2025 Policy Shift

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has significantly revamped its journal evaluation framework through the introduction of the UGC CARE 2025 Peer-Reviewed Journal Policy. This policy shift—finalized in the UGC’s 584th meeting held on October 3, 2024—marks the official discontinuation of the previous UGC CARE journal list. It has now been replaced by suggestive parameters aimed at guiding faculty members, scholars, and students to identify trustworthy, ethical, and high-quality academic journals.

📝 IJNRD Aligns with UGC CARE 2025 Guidelines

The International Journal of Novel Research and Development (IJNRD) is proud to announce its full compliance with the latest UGC CARE 2025 Peer-Reviewed Journal Policy. As per the guidelines introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in collaboration with the UGC CARE Committee, all journals must now adhere to a more transparent, ethical, and rigorous academic publishing process.

IJNRD has not only accepted these reforms but has actively implemented them across all aspects of its editorial and peer-review workflow.

By aligning with the updated UGC CARE norms, IJNRD reinforces its commitment to:

      ✅ Upholding academic integrity in every published article

      ✅ Ensuring transparent peer-review practices and editorial decisions

      ✅ Preventing academic misconduct, plagiarism, and unethical publication behaviour

      ✅ Providing reliable, open-access, and easily verifiable publication infrastructure

	  ✅ Offering a legitimate platform that supports the academic and research needs of scholars, faculty, and postgraduate students

This alignment makes IJNRD a trusted and recognized journal for quality research publications—especially relevant in the wake of the UGC’s discontinuation of the earlier CARE-listed journals and its shift toward suggestive parameters for evaluating journal credibility.

📢 Your Research, Our Platform — If you’re looking for a journal that aligns with UGC-CARE, Scopus, Web of Science-WOS standards, submit your paper to IJNRD, which fully complies with the latest UGC CARE guidelines.
👉 Visit: www.ijnrd.org | 📩 Email: editor@ijnrd.org | 📄 Submit Your Article Today

📘 Access the Key Official Documents

To maintain complete transparency and guide researchers, IJNRD has made all essential documents related to UGC CARE compliance publicly available:

📎 UGC CARE 2025 Public Notice (PDF)
A copy of the official UGC announcement detailing the updated peer-reviewed journal policy, including the shift from maintaining a CARE list to evaluating journals based on objective quality parameters.
👉 Purpose: To help researchers understand the revised expectations set forth by UGC CARE and what it means for journal evaluation in 2025 and beyond.
📎 UGC CARE Discontinuation Notice on IJNRD
This document acknowledges that IJNRD, previously under evaluation or monitoring as per the older framework, has now transitioned fully into the suggestive parameter model, maintaining its quality publishing standards.
👉 Purpose: To affirm IJNRD’s transparent position following the discontinuation of the old UGC CARE listing format, and its readiness to function under the updated 2025 policy.
📎 IJNRD Peer Review Policy
A detailed outline of IJNRD’s double-blind peer review process, including:
- Criteria for reviewer selection
- Review timelines
- Manuscript evaluation standards
- Rejection, revision, and acceptance policies
- Transparency via reviewer feedback reports
👉 Purpose: To showcase the journal’s commitment to an unbiased and ethically sound peer-review system, aligned with UGC CARE 2025 requirements.

By offering open access to these documents, IJNRD not only assures authors of its credibility and accountability, but also helps them make informed decisions about where to publish their scholarly work.

📢 Your Research Deserves a Trusted Platform.
👉 Visit: www.ijnrd.org | 📩 Email: editor@ijnrd.org | 📄 Submit Your Article Today

📢 IJNRD’s Alignment with the New UGC Guidelines

The International Journal of Novel Research and Development (IJNRD) has fully adopted the updated parameters outlined by the UGC. As a result, IJNRD stands out as a model journal in compliance, transparency, and integrity.

IJNRD Key Details:

ISSN: 2456-4184
Publication Frequency: Monthly
Indexing: Google Scholar, SSRN, Academia, Semantic Scholar, and more
Impact Factor: 8.76 (Based on Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar)
Fees: ₹1570 (India), $59 (International)
Official Website: www.ijnrd.org
Email: editor@ijnrd.org

🔍 What Are the Suggestive Parameters Introduced by UGC?

Here are the detailed criteria journals must fulfill, and how IJNRD meets them:

Journal Title and ISSN Verification
IJNRD maintains a unique journal name, and its ISSN (2456-4184) is officially registered and verified via both the ISSN Portal and ISSN India.
Publication Regularity
The journal publishes monthly issues without delays. All past editions are archived and publicly available to maintain historical continuity and transparency.
Publisher Identity and Contact Authenticity
IJNRD operates through its verified domain, www.ijnrd.org, and uses professional email addresses, helping authors trust the authenticity of communications.
Transparent Peer Review Process
IJNRD uses a double-blind peer review system, openly documented with peer reviewer selection criteria and clear evaluation timelines. Verified by tools like Scholar9.
Plagiarism Detection Tools
All manuscripts are scanned through trusted plagiarism tools like Turnitin, Grammarly, and Plagscan, and a detailed report is shared with authors.
Editorial and Reviewer Credentials
Each editorial board member’s full name, academic affiliation, and area of expertise are publicly displayed and institutionally verified.
Open Access Model with Fee Transparency
IJNRD follows a full Open Access publishing policy, with all fees disclosed upfront—₹1570 for Indian authors and $59 for international authors, inclusive of DOI, indexing, certificates, and up to 5 authors per paper.
Robust Indexing
The journal is indexed in:
• Google Scholar
• SSRN
• Academia.edu
• Semantic Scholar
• Mendeley
• ResearchGate
• And over 15 academic databases
DOI and Archival Policies
All papers are assigned a Crossref DOI, and the journal follows proper archival procedures ensuring long-term content preservation.
Ethical Publishing Standards
IJNRD adheres to internationally accepted standards from COPE and ICMJE, outlining:
• Authorship criteria
• Misconduct handling
• Conflict of interest policies

📚 About IJNRD – International Journal of Novel Research and Development

The International Journal of Novel Research and Development (IJNRD) is a globally recognized, peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal dedicated to the rapid publication of innovative research across all disciplines. With a strong emphasis on transparency, ethics, and accessibility, IJNRD serves as a reliable platform for scholars, faculty, and postgraduate researchers worldwide.

📌 Journal Information

Journal Title: International Journal of Novel Research and Development (IJNRD)
ISSN: 2456-4184 (Online)
Publication Frequency: Monthly
Languages Accepted: Multilingual – Accepts papers in English and select regional languages
Impact Factor: 8.76 (Calculated from Google Scholar & Semantic Scholar citations)
Article Processing Charges (APC): ₹1570 for Indian authors, $59 for international submissions

🧩 Key Features of IJNRD

IJNRD offers a comprehensive range of author services to ensure the highest quality publishing experience:

✅ Crossref DOI for every published article for permanent referencing
✅ Publication Certificate for each author
✅ Print Copy available on request
✅ Long-term archiving with full metadata
✅ Indexed in over 15 academic repositories, including Google Scholar, SSRN, Academia.edu, Mendeley, and Semantic Scholar

⏱️ Publication Timeline – Fast & Efficient Workflow

IJNRD understands the importance of timely publication. Our streamlined editorial and review process ensures authors receive a rapid yet rigorous experience:

Submission Deadline: 29th of every month
Initial Review Decision: Within 1–2 working days
Final Publication: 2–3 days after manuscript acceptance

This fast turnaround time makes IJNRD an ideal choice for scholars with time-bound academic or professional requirements.

💰 Affordable & Inclusive for All Researchers

IJNRD is committed to making high-quality publishing accessible to everyone:

❌ No hidden fees or surprise charges
✅ APC includes DOI, certificate, archiving, and indexing
✅ Up to 5 authors per paper at no additional cost
✨ Discounts or waivers may be considered in special academic circumstances

🌟 Why Publish with IJNRD?

Choosing the right journal is critical to your academic success. Here’s why IJNRD stands out:

⚡ Rapid, ethical peer-review process that ensures quality without delays
🌍 Global readership and author base from over 30 countries
🧠 AI-powered metadata optimization for better search engine visibility and citation tracking
👨‍🏫 Supported by a network of 4100+ qualified expert reviewers from top institutions
📊 Enhanced discoverability via indexing on major academic platforms
🤝 Transparent editorial policies based on UGC CARE 2025 standards

📩 Contact Information

For submissions, queries, or editorial assistance:

Website: www.ijnrd.org
Email: editor@ijnrd.org

📢 Your Research Deserves the Right Audience

Join thousands of researchers already publishing in IJNRD—one of India’s most trusted multidisciplinary academic journals.

📝 Ready to publish? Submit your paper today and become part of a transparent, ethical, and high-impact scholarly community.

❌ UGC CARE List Discontinued: What It Means for Researchers

In its October 2024 resolution, UGC decided to discontinue the UGC CARE journal list. Instead, researchers are now expected to evaluate journals based on defined parameters rather than relying on a central list.

This change emphasizes:

🚫 Preventing fake or cloned journals
📚 Promoting academic freedom
✅ Encouraging responsible publishing

🛡️ Warning: Beware of Cloned and Predatory Journals

The rise in fake and cloned journals mimicking reputable titles has alarmed UGC. These journals damage a researcher’s academic profile.

UGC has published lists of:

Group I Cloned Journals
Group II Cloned Journals

Always verify a journal’s legitimacy via:

UGC CARE Portal
ISSN Portal
Scopus or Web of Science

📈 Why Choose IJNRD for Your Research Publication?

✔️ UGC CARE 2025 Compliant
✔️ Fast peer review (1–2 working days)
✔️ Final publication in 2–3 days after acceptance
✔️ Trusted by 10,000+ researchers worldwide
✔️ Transparent & ethical practices
✔️ Affordable fees with no hidden charges
✔️ Print copy, DOI, and certificate included
✔️ Supported by 4100+ expert reviewers

❓ Popular Questions Answered

Here are the most asked questions that researchers often search online:

1. What is UGC CARE 2025 Policy?
2. Is IJNRD approved by UGC?
3. How do I check if a journal is UGC CARE listed?
4. Has UGC discontinued the CARE list?
5. What are suggestive parameters for peer-reviewed journals?
6. Is IJNRD a peer-reviewed journal?
7. How to identify fake or cloned journals?
8. What is the impact factor of IJNRD?
9. Is IJNRD indexed in Scopus or Web of Science?
10. What are the publication charges in IJNRD?
11. How fast is the review process in IJNRD?
12. Does IJNRD provide DOI and certificate?
13. Is IJNRD good for PhD and MPhil publication?
14. How to publish a paper in IJNRD?
15. What are ethical guidelines followed by IJNRD?

🔑 Top Keywords for Optimization

Here is a curated keyword list to use in metadata, headings, and alt texts:

UGC CARE 2025 Journal Policy
IJNRD UGC Compliant
UGC Approved Journal 2025
Peer Reviewed Journal India
Open Access Journal India
Ethical Publishing Journal
Scopus Indexed Journal Alternatives
UGC CARE List Discontinued
UGC Journal Suggestive Parameters
Transparent Peer Review India
Monthly Research Journal India
DOI Journal India
Low Cost Journal for PhD
Fast Publication Journal India
Academic Journal India 2025
Multidisciplinary Journal Open Access
Indian Research Journal Online
Verified ISSN Journal India
Cloned Journals UGC Warning
Fake Journals List India
Research Paper Journal Submission
Publish PhD Paper Online
UGC Recognized Journals 2025
Impact Factor Journal India
Academic Journal with DOI

🔍 Journal Evaluation Checklist: How to Identify a Legitimate, Ethical, and Authentic Research Journal

In today’s academic landscape, identifying authentic and credible journals is more crucial than ever. With the rise of cloned, fake, and predatory journals, the UGC CARE 2025 Policy now emphasizes a set of suggestive evaluation parameters. This helps authors ensure that their work is published in a trusted, academically sound platform.

Below are the essential preliminary checks every researcher should conduct before submitting their manuscript:

🏷️ 1. Journal Title Authenticity

Ensure that the journal's title is original, unique, and not deceptively similar to a well-established or reputed publication.

✅ Cross-verify the journal title through official sources like the ISSN Portal
❌ Avoid journals using similar names or misleading acronyms designed to mimic legitimate journals
🔄 Make sure the journal title is consistent across the website, PDFs, metadata, and indexing platforms

🔢 2. ISSN Number Verification

The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is a globally recognized code that validates a journal’s identity.

✅ Check the ISSN using the ISSN Portal or ISSN India (NSL-NIScPR)
🎯 Ensure the ISSN correctly matches the journal title
⚠️ Watch out for fake or cloned ISSNs – always verify in official databases
🔁 The ISSN should appear consistently across the website, publication, and indexing sites

📅 3. Publication Frequency and Regularity

A legitimate journal follows a consistent publication schedule, with properly archived past issues.

📅 Check if the journal clearly mentions its frequency (e.g., monthly, quarterly)
🕒 Visit the archive section to confirm the timely release of past volumes
🔍 Compare dates on platforms like Google Scholar, Academia.edu, and SSRN
❌ Be cautious of journals that claim daily or weekly issues without a robust peer-review mechanism

🏢 4. Publisher Transparency and Contact Information

The publisher must be clearly identifiable, legally registered, and easy to contact.

✅ Look for a registered publisher name, full address, and professional contact email (e.g., editor@journalname.org)
🔎 Cross-reference publisher details on DOAJ, Web of Science, or Scopus
🧾 Confirm business authenticity (e.g., GST/LLP registration if applicable in India)
❌ Avoid journals using Gmail/Yahoo emails or not disclosing contact details

📜 5. Transparent Peer Review Policy

A trustworthy journal follows a structured peer-review process and communicates it openly.

🧐 Review policies should include:
- Reviewer selection criteria
- Review timelines
- Double-blind or open review process
🔗 Look for live peer review samples, such as on platforms like Scholar9
❌ Avoid journals that provide vague or no information about their review process

🌐 6. Official Domain & Secure Website

The journal should operate through a custom, secure domain and not use free or subdomains.

🔐 Check for HTTPS (SSL certificate)
🌐 Domain should be professional: .org, .edu, or .com – not hosted on freehost.com, blogspot.com, etc.
🕵️ Use WHOIS lookup tools to verify domain registration and ownership
❌ Avoid suspicious or recently created domains

🔓 7. Open Access or Subscription Transparency

The journal must clearly state whether it is Open Access or Subscription-Based.

📝 If Open Access: Confirm license terms (e.g., Creative Commons)
💰 All fees (APCs) should be clearly listed
❌ Beware of journals that disclose charges only after acceptance

🧪 8. Plagiarism Checking Process

A credible journal prioritizes originality and uses recognized tools for plagiarism detection.

🧰 Accepted tools: Turnitin, Grammarly, Plagscan, iThenticate
✅ Authors should receive a plagiarism report before final acceptance
📉 Acceptable similarity index should be defined (generally below 10–15%)
❌ Avoid journals that do not mention or fake their plagiarism check process

👥 9. Editorial Board and Reviewer Transparency

Ensure the journal has a qualified and verifiable editorial board.

🧾 Editorial profiles must include:
- Full Name
- Academic Affiliation
- Research Domain
- Experience and Qualifications
🔗 Journals using Scholar9 profiles or equivalent provide extra trust
❌ If profiles are missing or too generic, proceed with caution

🗃️ 10. Archiving and Repository Integration

Check whether the journal has a clear archival strategy and is indexed in recognized repositories.

✅ Indexed in: DOAJ, CORE, PubMed, arXiv, ONOS, and institutional repositories
📚 Journals should archive past issues using LOCKSS, CLOCKSS, Portico, or similar services
❌ Avoid journals that lack access to back issues or have no preservation policy

💵 11. Fee Disclosure & Transparency

All charges—if applicable—should be clearly mentioned on the website before submission.

💳 Must include:
- Article Processing Charges (APC)
- Additional charges (print copy, fast-track review, extra authors, etc.)
💬 Journals may offer fee waivers for researchers from developing countries
❌ Never trust journals that demand surprise fees post-acceptance

📈 12. Indexing & Academic Recognition

Reputable journals are indexed in widely used academic databases.

🧾 Verify indexing on:
- Google Scholar
- ResearchGate
- Academia.edu
- SSRN
🌟 High-standard indexing includes: DOAJ, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed
❌ Don’t rely on claims—check actual indexing links or screenshots

🧾 13. DOI Assignment and Digital Preservation

All published research should be assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI).

🔗 Ensure the DOI is registered via Crossref or DOI.org
🗂 Articles must be stored in a way that ensures permanent accessibility
📁 Look for long-term archiving services like LOCKSS or CLOCKSS
❌ Lack of DOI and digital preservation may signal low credibility

📊 14. Verified Impact Factor

Impact Factor should come from authentic, data-driven sources.

✅ Check metrics on Google Scholar (h-index, i10-index), Semantic Scholar
❌ Avoid journals with fabricated impact factors or unrecognized rating systems
🧠 A real impact factor reflects the research value and citation performance

⚖️ 15. Adherence to Ethical Publishing Guidelines

Ethics form the backbone of credible scholarly publishing.

✅ Journals should follow standards set by:

COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics)
ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors)

📄 Ethical policies must address:
- Authorship criteria
- Conflict of interest
- Research misconduct
❌ Lack of defined policies is a red flag

🚨 Final Word: Why This Checklist Matters

Following these journal selection parameters is not optional—it is critical for your academic credibility. Publishing in unverified or cloned journals can result in rejection of your research, institutional disqualification, or blacklisting by UGC and other academic bodies.

📢 Your Research Deserves a Platform of Integrity.
Make informed choices. Choose journals that value academic honesty, global reach, and peer-reviewed publishing ethics—like IJNRD.

🔗 Visit www.ijnrd.org to learn more or submit your manuscript.

📝 Final Thoughts

While the UGC CARE List has been officially discontinued, the focus has shifted to responsible publishing and transparent editorial policies. IJNRD has successfully aligned itself with this new vision, offering a reliable platform for researchers worldwide.

📢 Your Research Deserves a Trusted Platform.
👉 Visit: www.ijnrd.org | 📩 Email: editor@ijnrd.org | 📄 Submit Your Article Today