Why the journal matters more than the formatting
Most first submissions are desk-rejected because the paper does not fit the journal, not because of its formatting. Most large publishers now accept a first submission in any consistent format. So choose the journal first, then write to its limits.
- Check the indexing. MEDLINE (PubMed) and DOAJ listings are the quickest test that a journal is real.
- Check the fit. A journal that has published several studies like yours will usually send yours for review.
- Check the cost. Article processing charges range from nothing to over US$3,000.
- Read its limits before you write. Word count, abstract length and the reference cap decide how much of your thesis fits.
- Check the reporting checklist. Observational studies usually need STROBE, trials CONSORT, diagnostic studies STARD.
Warning signs of a predatory journal
UGC-CARE was discontinued in February 2025, so there is no longer a single list to check. Be careful with a journal that is not in MEDLINE or DOAJ, has no publisher on record, promises a decision within days, or writes to you asking for a paper. The finder lists such journals separately, with the reason, rather than suggesting them.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to publish my thesis before the final exam?
Under NMC's PGMER-2023, a postgraduate must present a poster or oral paper, or publish a first-author paper, before the final examination. Publishing the thesis work is the most common way residents meet it.
How do you choose which journals to suggest?
We search the published literature (OpenAlex) for studies like yours from India since 2019 and count which journals published them. A journal that already publishes your kind of study is the best predictor it will send yours for review. Journals that are not in MEDLINE, DOAJ or the CWTS core list of scholarly journals are never suggested, however many papers they publish.
What if I already know which journal I want?
Choose “I already have a journal”, find it by name, and we look for its instructions for authors. Many publishers block automated reading, so you may be asked to paste the guidelines or upload the PDF — we then read them for you.
How accurate are the extracted limits?
Every limit is shown next to the sentence in the guidelines it came from. A limit the guidelines do not state clearly, or a number we could not find in the text, is highlighted for you to check — never filled in silently.
Is a journal without an APC always better?
No. Many good Indian society journals charge nothing, and some well-indexed international journals charge over US$2,000. Check the indexing first, then the cost; a fee alone says little about quality, but a fee with no indexing is a warning sign.