Introduction
For every researcher, the journey from manuscript submission to journal acceptance is both exciting and nerve-wracking. It’s more than just sending your paper to a journal—it’s a detailed process involving peer review, revisions, and constant communication. For Indian PhD scholars, especially first-time authors, understanding this journey is crucial to navigating academic publishing successfully.
This blog outlines the full lifecycle of a journal article—from submission to final acceptance—highlighting common challenges, journal protocols, and practical advice relevant to scholars in India and beyond.
Choosing the Right Journal
Before submission, selecting the right journal is a strategic decision. Consider factors like:
- Scope and relevance of the journal to your research
- Indexing and impact factor (e.g., Scopus, Web of Science)
- Acceptance rate and typical review time
- Open access or subscription model
Check recent issues to assess if your topic aligns with their current focus. Indian scholars often overlook this step, leading to desk rejections.
Preparing the Manuscript
Ensure your manuscript is polished and adheres to the author guidelines of the selected journal.
This typically includes:
- Formatting style (APA, IEEE, etc.)
- Word limits and sectioning (abstract, introduction, methodology, results, etc.)
- Reference formatting
- Ethical declarations, conflict of interest, and funding sources (if applicable)
Using plagiarism check tools and English grammar editors (like Grammarly or QuillBot) is advisable before submission.
Initial Editorial Screening
Once submitted, the manuscript undergoes a desk review by the editor-in-chief or an associate editor. This phase checks:
- Fit with the journal’s scope
- Basic formatting and structure
- Language quality and originality
If found unsuitable, a desk rejection is issued—usually within 1–2 weeks. This is common and should not discourage early-career researchers. Improving journal selection and clarity often resolves this issue.
Peer Review Process
If the manuscript passes the initial screening, it enters peer review. Most reputed journals follow a double-blind review process.
Here’s what typically happens:
- 2 to 3 subject experts are invited to review
- Reviewers evaluate originality, methods, relevance, data quality, and contribution
- Reviewers submit feedback and recommendations: accept, minor revision, majorrevision, or reject
This process can take 2 to 6 months depending on the journal’s workflow and reviewer availability. Indian researchers should be prepared for delays and avoid frequent follow-ups unless necessary.
Responding to Reviewer Comments
If revisions are requested, this is a crucial phase.
Authors must:
- Respond to every comment point-by-point
- Highlight changes in the revised manuscript (using track changes or color)
- Justify if a comment cannot be addressed
The tone of your responses should be respectful, academic, and concise. Avoid emotional or defensive reactions, even when feedback seems harsh.
Second Round of Review (if applicable)
In many cases, revised manuscripts go through a second (or even third) review cycle. This is common when major revisions were requested. Reviewers check if the concerns were addressed and if the paper now meets publication standards.
Timely and thorough revision increases your chances of acceptance.
Acceptance and Proofs
Once reviewers are satisfied, the editor issues an acceptance letter.
This is followed by:
- Copyediting and typesetting by the journal’s production team
- Sending proofs to the author for final checks (usually within 2–4 weeks)
- Addressing minor errors or layout issues
Authors must check every detail carefully—especially author names, affiliations, equations, tables, and figures.
Online First and Final Publication
Many journals offer online-first publication, where your article is made available digitally before appearing in a print issue. The article gets a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and is now officially citable.
The final version is then assigned to a volume and issue in the journal. Publication timelines vary—some articles appear in the next issue, while others may take months.
Challenges Faced by Indian Researchers
Many Indian scholars face issues like:
- Lack of guidance in responding to peer reviewers
- Language barriers
- Predatory journal traps
- Delays in securing ethical approvals or plagiarism checks
Institutions need to offer workshops and mentorship on the publication process to address these issues systemically.
Conclusion
The journey from submission to acceptance is rigorous but rewarding. Each stage—whether desk review, peer feedback, or revisions—enhances your research’s clarity, credibility, and scholarly impact. Patience, professionalism, and persistence are your strongest tools in this journey.
For Indian PhD scholars navigating this process, it’s essential to build support networks, seek feedback early, and treat every rejection as a learning experience. After all, publication is not just the end of a project—it’s the beginning of your voice in the global academic discourse.