Introduction
In Indian academia, your CV is more than a record—it’s a reflection of your scholarly trajectory. One of the most scrutinised parts is the list of published research articles. However, many doctoral scholars and faculty members either overcrowd this section or overlook important formatting norms. This blog outlines how to present your published work clearly and professionally in a CV, specifically suited to Indian academic and research contexts.
Placement and Structure
Published articles should have a separate section in your CV, typically titled:
- Research Publications
- Academic Publications
- Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
This section usually appears after Education and Work Experience. If you have an extensive publication history, divide it into subcategories such as:
- Peer-Reviewed Journals
- Conference Proceedings
- Book Chapters
- Articles in Edited Volumes
This division helps hiring committees, grant evaluators, and reviewers quickly locate the information relevant to their purpose.
Formatting Essentials
Choose a consistent citation style and stick to it throughout your CV. Common choices include APA or MLA. In most Indian universities, either format is accepted, as long as it is uniform.
Basic elements to include:
- Author(s)
- Year of Publication
- Title of the Article
- Title of the Journal (in italics)
- Volume(Issue), Page Numbers
- DOI (optional but preferred if available)
Avoid abbreviations for journal titles. Write the full name of the journal.
Sample Entry (APA Style)
Kumar, R., & Das, P. (2023). Machine learning approaches in Indian medical diagnosis systems. Journal of Health Informatics, 17(3), 45–59.
You may add indexing status if directly relevant to the application:
(UGC-CARE listed)(Scopus-indexed)
Do not bold or underline titles. Maintain a plain, academic tone.
Accepted, In Press, and Under Review Articles
Publications that have been accepted but not yet published may be listed in a sub-section titled:
- Articles Accepted for Publication
- Forthcoming Publications
Example:
Mehta, A. (Forthcoming). Sustainable water practices in South Asia. International Journal of Environmental Studies.
Do not include articles that are merely “in preparation” or “submitted.” If something is “under review,” include it only if the institution or agency explicitly allows it, and place it under a different section.
Authorship Order and Your Role
In India, authorship order carries weight, especially in disciplines like science, engineering, and medicine. Always list the authors exactly as per the journal. Do not use “et al.” in the CV unless specifically asked to shorten the list.
If your name is not the first author but you made a significant contribution, consider explaining this elsewhere (e.g., in a cover letter), not in the CV.
Conference Papers and Book Chapters
List these separately, especially if your conference papers were published in proceedings with ISBN numbers. These are valid research outputs in many Indian institutions.
For book chapters:
Rao, S. (2022). Women’s representation in Indian politics. In N. Iyer (Ed.), Gender and Governance in South Asia (pp. 102–117). New Delhi: Academic Press.
Ensure you clearly distinguish between peer-reviewed publications and invited or popular articles.
CV Style Specific to Indian Academic Needs
General formatting suggestions:
- Use 11 or 12 pt font (Times New Roman or Calibri)
- Maintain single spacing within entries, double spacing between entries
- Use a hanging indent or bullet points for clean presentation
- Italicise journal titles, not article titles
- Avoid unnecessary use of bold, underline, or capitalisation
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Sharma, N. (2023). Online education in post-pandemic India: Access and equity. Journal of Educational Technology, 12(2), 101–114. (UGC-CARE)
- Verma, K., & Patel, D. (2022). Smart irrigation systems using IoT. Indian Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 9(1), 45–56. (Scopus)
This format keeps the section professional and reader-friendly.
Should You Mention Payment or APC?
Do not mention Article Processing Charges (APCs) or the fact that the journal is paid or open access. Indian evaluators usually focus on indexing and editorial quality, not payment structures. Avoid any notes like “Gold OA” or “Paid journal.”
What matters is whether the journal is:
- UGC-CARE listed
- Scopus/SCI indexed
- Reputed in your discipline
Let the publication speak for itself through its listing and editorial board—not through side remarks in your CV.
How Many Publications to Include?
If you’re a PhD student or early-career scholar, include all peer-reviewed publications.
For senior academic positions, you may selectively list your most impactful work and include a full list in an appendix or supplementary document if required.
Avoid listing non-peer-reviewed blog posts, opinion pieces, or popular articles unless directly relevant to the job or discipline.
Conclusion
A well-structured CV with a clear, academic list of publications adds credibility to your academic profile. It helps reviewers assess your research experience, academic writing skills, and subject specialisation at a glance. Whether you are preparing for faculty interviews, research grants, or academic promotions, the way you list your published articles matters. Format with clarity, follow discipline norms, and maintain consistency. In Indian academia, this attention to detail reflects scholarly seriousness—and that always counts.