Strengthening Roots, Reaching New Heights: Ushering in a New Era for the Indian Journal of Pain with a Renewed Vision for Pain Medicine in India

It is both an honour and a responsibility to assume the role of Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Journal of Pain (IJPN), the official publication of the Indian Society for the Study of Pain (ISSP). As I take over the reins from a highly dedicated and visionary editorial team, I do so with deep respect for the legacy they leave behind, one built on a foundation of academic excellence, editorial integrity, and a commitment to elevating the standards of pain medicine literature in the Indian context. Over the past 3 years, IJPN has not only strengthened its national presence but also achieved an increasing global reach and recognition.[1] The outgoing editorial leadership deserves special commendation for their relentless pursuit of quality, which has seen the journal evolve into a credible platform showcasing original research, case series, reviews, and practice-defining consensus statements from across the country.[2] It gives me immense pride to share that the IJPN has now been indexed in Scopus, one of the most prestigious abstract and citation databases in the world. This achievement marks a watershed moment in the journal’s journey and is a recognition of the cumulative efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editorial board. Scopus indexing will significantly enhance the journal’s visibility, credibility, and academic impact, helping place Indian research in pain medicine on the global map. It also reinforces our responsibility to maintain and further raise the bar in terms of content quality, relevance, and scientific rigor. As the new editorial team steps in, our vision is clear: To build upon this strong foundation and take the journal to greater heights. One of our continued priorities will be to ensure smooth and enriching publication experiences for our contributors by streamlining manuscript processing, upholding transparency in peer review, and reducing editorial turnaround times, all while preserving the integrity and depth of scientific discourse. Looking ahead, IJPN aims to lead conversations in emerging areas of pain science that are particularly relevant to the Indian clinical setting.[3] To that end, we are pleased to announce an upcoming thematic supplement issue focused on platelet-rich plasma and regenerative medicine in pain medicine. Regenerative approaches represent a rapidly expanding frontier with enormous therapeutic potential, particularly in musculoskeletal and degenerative pain.[4] This special issue will feature cutting-edge research, reviews, technical notes, randomised controlled trials, and perspectives from global and national experts in the field. Importantly, the journey of the journal is intricately tied to the broader vision of the ISSP. We share a common long-term goal: To elevate pain medicine as a distinct and recognized specialty in India. Despite growing awareness, pain medicine still lacks the structured recognition and academic support it deserves. Through IJPN, we hope to be a catalyst in this transformation–by fostering academic dialogue, supporting education, and advocating for the development of specialized training pathways and fellowships in pain medicine.[5] The task ahead is ambitious, but achievable – with collaboration, consistency, and shared purpose. We extend an open invitation to clinicians, researchers, students, and policy-makers to contribute, review, and engage with the IJPN. Together, let us strengthen our roots in science and scholarship, even as we aspire to reach new heights for the benefit of patients, practitioners, and the evolving discipline of pain medicine. The Indian Journal of Pain invites original articles, reviews, and case series for its upcoming special issue on “Regenerative Medicine, PRP, and Biologics in Pain Management.” Submissions are open until June 30th, 2025. For author guidelines and submission details, please visit https://review.jow.medknow.com/ijpn.