India's Surge in Research Output: A Closer Look

India has emerged as a global powerhouse in scientific publications, surpassing many nations in sheer volume. In recent years, the country's researchers have produced millions of papers, driven by ambitious national goals and institutional pressures within universities and colleges. This boom, however, has ignited a fierce debate: does the emphasis on quantity undermine the quality of research emerging from Indian higher education institutions? Reports from reputable sources highlight a troubling rise in retractions, pointing to systemic issues in academic publishing.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and initiatives like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) aim to elevate research in universities, yet the metrics often prioritize publication counts over impact. Faculty at institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) face mounting pressure to publish frequently to secure promotions and funding. This environment fosters a 'publish or perish' culture, where the rush to output can compromise rigor.

Impressive Numbers Behind the Boom

According to data from Scopus and Web of Science, India ranked third globally in research publications by 2025, with over 1.5 million papers annually from its higher education sector. Universities such as IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore lead the charge, contributing tens of thousands of papers each year. Government spending on research and development (R&D) in higher education has increased, reaching about 0.7% of GDP, fueling this growth.

Key drivers include mandatory publication requirements for PhD theses and faculty evaluations by bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC). For instance, the Academic Performance Indicators (API) system rewards volume, leading to a proliferation of papers from state universities and private colleges. While this has boosted India's global visibility, experts caution that average citation rates remain low, hovering around 10-15 per paper compared to 25+ for top nations.

The Retraction Crisis Unfolding

Retractions—formal withdrawals of published papers due to misconduct or errors—have skyrocketed in India. Independent researcher Achal Agrawal noted in a 2025 interview with The Hindu that retractions surged since 2022, with India accounting for a significant share of global cases. An arXiv study analyzing 20 years of data found over 3,200 retractions from Indian institutions, 60% from private colleges and universities, often due to fake peer reviews and plagiarism.

High-profile cases from premier institutions underscore the issue. In 2025, IISc Bangalore retracted several papers after investigations revealed data fabrication. Similarly, IIT Madras faced scrutiny over manipulated images in high-impact journals. Posts on X from academics echo these concerns, highlighting how 'citation rings' in lesser-known journals inflate metrics without adding value.

Root Causes in Higher Education Incentives

The 'publish or perish' mentality permeates Indian academia. Faculty promotions under UGC guidelines require a minimum number of publications, often 10-15 per cycle, regardless of journal quality. This pushes researchers at universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to target low-barrier journals.

Predatory journals—outlets that charge fees without proper peer review—thrive in this ecosystem. India hosts a flourishing community of such publishers, as noted in reports from Tempo.co. MTech and PhD students tweak existing studies minimally to meet quotas, prioritizing speed over innovation. Expert Shamika Ravi emphasized data quality's importance on X, warning against unchecked volume.

• API scores heavily weight publication count over citations or patents.
• Funding from schemes like UGC's Start-Up Grants ties to output metrics.
• Lack of training in research ethics at many colleges exacerbates issues.

Predatory Publishing and Its Prevalance

Predatory journals masquerade as legitimate venues, exploiting ambitious academics. A 2025 Policy Circle analysis revealed India lags in high-impact publications despite volume leadership, with many papers in questionable outlets. Universities like those in Odisha and Maharashtra have seen faculty publications retracted en masse from such journals.

The process is straightforward: authors pay $500-2000 for rapid 'publication' with sham reviews. This undermines trust in Indian higher education research. For more on spotting predatory journals, resources like Think. Check. Submit. are invaluable.

Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

Case Studies from Indian Universities

Consider the 2025 scandal at a prominent private university in Tamil Nadu, where 50+ papers were retracted for fake data, as covered by The Hindu. Another case involved IIT Kanpur researchers using AI-generated images, leading to Nature journal withdrawals.

At state universities, mutual back-scratching in peer reviews is rampant, per X discussions. BHU's pharmacology department faced probes after plagiarism allegations. These incidents highlight how quantity-focused policies in colleges erode credibility.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Expert Views

Academics are divided. Prof. Shamika Ravi advocates realigning incentives toward quality datasets. Rahul Raj on X criticized MTech/PhD tweaks for publications. Conversely, some defend the boom, citing high-impact works like Delhi air quality studies in Nature.

UGC Chairman has called for quality metrics, proposing citation thresholds. International experts, via arXiv, note India's retraction rate rivals China's, urging ethics training in curricula. For career advice on ethical research paths, check our guide to academic CVs.

Impacts on Indian Higher Education

Low-quality publications tarnish reputations, affecting university rankings like NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework). IISc dropped slightly in QS rankings due to retraction fallout. Students suffer as mentors prioritize output over mentorship.

Funding dries up for tainted institutions, stalling R&D. Globally, Indian papers face skepticism, impacting collaborations. Yet, positive outliers like IISER Pune's pathogen research shine, proving quality is achievable.

Government and Institutional Responses

UGC introduced anti-predatory guidelines in 2025, mandating journal blacklists. ANRF promotes high-impact grants. IITs now emphasize patents alongside papers. SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) funds quality-focused projects.

• Ethics modules compulsory in PhD programs.
• AI detection tools for plagiarism in evaluations.
• Incentives for open-access, high-Q1 journal publications.

Universities like IIT Bombay piloted 'quality audits' for departments. Explore research jobs emphasizing integrity at AcademicJobs research positions.

Pathways to Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Reform starts with policy shifts: weight impact factors 70% in promotions. Train faculty via workshops on robust methodologies. Encourage interdisciplinary collaborations in colleges to foster originality.

Researchers should target Q1 journals, use preprints for feedback. Institutions can adopt ORCID for transparent tracking. Students: focus on novel problems, document rigorously. For professor insights, visit Rate My Professor.

Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

Future Outlook for Indian Academia

By 2030, NEP targets top-100 global rankings for three IITs, demanding quality leaps. With AI tools aiding detection, retractions may decline. Balanced incentives could position India as a quality leader.

Optimism prevails: rising patents (over 50,000 in 2025) signal maturity. Higher ed professionals, advance your careers ethically via higher ed jobs and career advice.

In conclusion, India's research journey pivots from volume to value. Stakeholders must collaborate for sustainable excellence in universities and colleges.