UGC removes Indian journals from approved List

The Indian University Grants Commission (UGC) has removed 4,305 questionable or poor-quality journals from its approved list of journals. The UGC was forced to act following complaints by researchers and the media about inclusion of predatory and questionable journals in its white list. Consequently, the Standing Committee on Notification of Journals re-evaluated every journal title recommended by universities as well as those indexed by Indian Citation Index. Eventually, the Committee found 4,305 journals to be either low quality or questionable. The criteria for selection as a UGC approved journal are explained. Among these criteria, the ISSN plays a central role.