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Mahesh

13/02/25 09:38 AM IST

UGC decentralised’ system

In News
  • Four months after scrapping the UGC-CARE (Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics) system of listing quality journals, the University Grants Commission (UGC) this week announced it would follow a “decentralised approach”.
UGC CARE system
  • Publications in journals are considered for rankings of institutions, faculty appointments and promotions, and research grants.
  • The strength of research publications can impact faculty appointments and promotions in higher education institutions, as well as funding for research.
  • Given their significance, journals that publish work minus the rigours involved with publishing in reputed journals began to mushroom.
  • This concern was reflected by the UGC in a document on CARE in 2019.
  • Publications in dubious/sub-standard journals reflect adversely leading to long-term academic damage and a tarnished image.
  • The problem of predatory/dubious/sub-standard journals has become a cause of serious concern all over the world.
  • The percentage of research articles published in poor quality journals is reported to be high in India, which has adversely affected its image.
  • CARE replaced the erstwhile system of maintaining an approved list of journals based on suggestions received from universities.
  • With CARE, a cell established by the UGC would assess the journal based on a protocol that examined its credentials.
Reasons for introduction of new scheme
  • The decision to discontinue the UGC-CARE list last October was “based on concerns regarding subjectivity, lack of transparency, and inefficiencies in its assessment process.
New Scheme
  • The UGC has listed ‘suggestive parameters’ for higher education institutions to assess journals, including the journal’s editorial and review process and the expertise of its editorial board.
  • These parameters are not binding on the institution.
  • However, this puts the onus on the institution to evaluate journals. “If institutions fail to create efficient mechanisms (to evaluate journals), they risk damaging their institutional reputation by endorsing faculty members who publish in dubious journals.
  • The decision to discontinue the list and provide suggestive parameters is a “step towards decentralisation, academic freedom and institutional accountability.
  • Faculty members and research scholars can now assess journals using the suggested parameters that fit their disciplines rather than relying on a central list.
  • The new approach allows for a broader range of journals.
Source- Indian Express

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