UGC-CARE delisted: consequences and concerns for Indian research ecosystem

Abstract The UGC-CARE List, introduced in June 2019, was a significant step toward enhancing research quality in India by regulating the standards of academic publications. However, the recent announcement of its withdrawal has sparked diverse opinions and concerns across the research community. This opinion piece presents reflections gathered from a survey of 200 researchers across India on the dissolution of the UGC-CARE List and its potential impact on the nation’s research landscape. Respondents expressed the chance of return of predatory publishing practices, fragmentation in journal standards, and diminished credibility of Indian research. While acknowledging existing limitations within the UGC-CARE system, such as limited disciplinary representation and inconsistencies in journal listings, the majority emphasized the need for centralized quality checks and expert oversight. This piece outlines the key factors that could affect publication output in the absence of UGC-CARE List and recommends crucial measures to uphold research integrity, including rigorous training and transparent evaluation mechanisms to be followed by the scrutinizing committee at institutional level.