Both SCOPUS-indexed journals and UGC CARE listed journals satisfy the publication requirement for PhD thesis submission at most Indian universities. But that is where the similarity ends. The two categories differ in prestige, acceptance rates, review timelines, API scoring, and the practicalities of publishing in humanities disciplines. Choosing the right one for your specific situation — your research topic, your timeline, your career goals, and your university’s exact requirements — is a decision that affects both your PhD completion and your long-term academic career.
This article compares the two categories directly and gives you a framework for making the decision.
The Core Difference
SCOPUS-indexed journals are internationally recognised. They have been reviewed and accepted into the world’s largest academic citation database. They are distributed globally, their articles appear in international search databases, and they carry the strongest credential in Indian academia for API scoring. They also tend to have more rigorous peer review processes, longer review timelines, and lower acceptance rates.
UGC CARE listed journals are the University Grants Commission’s approved list for Indian academic publication. They are divided into two groups: Group II, which includes SCOPUS and Web of Science journals; and Group I, which comprises journals reviewed and approved by UGC through its own protocols. Group I journals are typically Indian journals, often discipline-specific, with review processes that vary from rigorous to relatively permissive. They are fully valid for PhD submission requirements and API scoring, but they carry less weight than SCOPUS publications for faculty appointments and career advancement.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | SCOPUS-indexed | UGC CARE Group I |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted for PhD thesis submission | Yes — all universities | Yes — most universities |
| API score | 10–25 points (by quartile) | 8–10 points |
| International recognition | Yes | Limited |
| Typical peer review timeline | 3–6 months (sometimes longer) | 1–4 months (varies widely) |
| Acceptance rate (humanities) | 15–40% depending on journal | 30–60% depending on journal |
| Publication fees (APC) | Rs 0–25,000 depending on journal | Rs 0–8,000 typically |
| Number of humanities options | Smaller pool | Larger pool for Indian subjects |
| Risk of predatory journals | Lower (if verified on scopus.com) | Higher (more fake claims) |
When to Target SCOPUS
Target a SCOPUS-indexed journal when:
Your timeline allows for it. If you are in Year 2 of a four-year PhD and your thesis deadline is at least 18 months away, you have time to absorb the longer peer review timeline of a SCOPUS journal, including a potential revision round, without threatening your thesis submission.
Your career goal is an Assistant Professor post in a competitive institution. Central universities, autonomous colleges, and increasingly state universities prioritise SCOPUS publications in faculty selection. If you want to teach at a competitive institution, SCOPUS publications will serve your career significantly better than UGC CARE Group I alone.
Your research paper is strong. A well-argued, original, theoretically sophisticated paper with a clear contribution to the field deserves to be in a journal that will give it maximum visibility and career impact. Do not undersell strong research by targeting low-tier journals out of caution.
Your subject area has suitable SCOPUS journals. Some humanities sub-fields have stronger SCOPUS journal representation than others. English Literature (particularly postcolonial studies and world literature), Sociology, and Management have reasonable SCOPUS journal options for Indian research. Library Science and Physical Education have fewer SCOPUS options, making UGC CARE Group I more practical in those disciplines.
When to Target UGC CARE Group I
Target a UGC CARE Group I journal when:
Your thesis submission deadline is close. If you need a publication within 4–6 months and your paper is not yet submitted, UGC CARE Group I journals offer faster review timelines at many outlets. A strategic choice of UGC CARE journal can get a publication done within a tighter window.
Your paper is a first publication. For many scholars writing their first research paper, the goal is to get published in a credible, recognised journal and build their publication record. A UGC CARE Group I journal is a legitimate, credible first publication — particularly for scholars still developing their academic writing skills.
You are in a discipline with limited SCOPUS options. Library Science, Physical Education, regional language literature, and some sub-fields of History have few suitable SCOPUS-indexed journals for Indian research. UGC CARE Group I is the practical route in these cases.
Your university specifically requires UGC CARE. Some universities, particularly older state universities with conservative PhD ordinances, specify UGC CARE journals explicitly rather than accepting any SCOPUS publication. Confirm your university’s exact requirement before targeting journals.
The Hybrid Approach
Many scholars working with the Thesis Guide use a hybrid approach: submit to a SCOPUS journal first, and have a strong UGC CARE Group I journal identified as an immediate fallback. If the SCOPUS journal rejects after desk review (2 weeks), submit to the SCOPUS shortlist second choice. If that also rejects, submit to the UGC CARE fallback.
This approach gives you the potential upside of a SCOPUS publication while protecting your timeline against the risk of extended delays.
The Question of Multiple Papers
If your university requires two published papers before thesis submission, it is common to target one SCOPUS publication and one UGC CARE Group I publication. The SCOPUS paper maximises your API score and career value; the UGC CARE paper provides the second publication more reliably within your timeline. Submit them to different journals simultaneously — submitting the same paper to two journals at once is academic misconduct, but submitting two different papers to different journals simultaneously is entirely appropriate.
What Does Not Factor Into the Decision
Prestige for its own sake. Targeting a Q1 SCOPUS journal because it is prestigious, when your paper is not at that level, wastes time and demoralises you. Be honest about the level of your paper and target accordingly.
Cheap publication fees. UGC CARE Group I journals often have lower or no APCs. This is a practical consideration but should not override scope matching. A publication in a low-fee journal with a poor scope match is still a rejection.
The Bottom Line
If your timeline is tight: UGC CARE Group I, targeted carefully, with a specific journal in mind that matches your subject and argument.
If your timeline is adequate and your career goal is competitive faculty appointments: SCOPUS, with a UGC CARE fallback.
If your paper is strong and your sub-field has relevant SCOPUS journals: always try SCOPUS first.
Need Help Deciding and Then Publishing?
The Thesis Guide will assess your research topic, your timeline, your university’s requirements, and your career goals, and recommend the specific journals — SCOPUS or UGC CARE — that are the right fit. Every research paper engagement includes journal selection as part of the consultation.
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