Introduction
Submitting a journal article is only the beginning. For Indian researchers—especially those publishing for UGC promotions or PhD requirements—the waiting period can feel long and uncertain. Knowing how to monitor your article’s status helps you stay informed, reduce anxiety, and plan your next steps. But how exactly can you track what’s happening behind the scenes?
This blog explains how to follow up on your journal submission in a professional, patient, and well-informed way.
Understanding the Review Workflow
Before tracking, it’s important to understand what typically happens after submission:
- Initial Editorial Screening – Checks formatting, plagiarism, and scope relevance.
- Peer Review Stage – Sent to 1–3 subject experts; may take several weeks or months.
- Decision Stage – Based on reviews, the editor decides to accept, revise, or reject.
Knowing these stages can help you interpret any status updates.
Step-by-Step Guide to Tracking Your Submission
1. Use the Journal’s Submission Portal
Most reputable journals (especially UGC-CARE or Scopus-indexed ones) offer online submission systems. After submission, you get a unique manuscript ID.
Use this to log in and check statuses like:
- “Submitted to Journal”
- “Under Review”
- “Reviews Completed”
- “Decision in Process”
These updates might appear slowly—so avoid checking every day.
2. Know What Each Status Means
Here’s what common statuses typically mean:
- With Editor – Initial checks are in progress.
- Under Review – It’s being read by reviewers.
- Awaiting Reviewer Assignment – The journal is still finding reviewers.
- Decision in Process – The editorial board is finalizing the outcome.
- Minor/Major Revision Required – Good news; revise and resubmit.
- Rejected – Unfortunately not accepted, but you can revise for another journal.
If nothing changes after several weeks, it’s okay to follow up (politely).
When and How to Follow Up
It’s best to wait at least 8–12 weeks after submission before sending a follow-up. Here’s how to write a polite query:
“Dear [Editor’s Name],I hope you are doing well. I submitted my manuscript titled [“Title”] (Manuscript ID: xxx) on [submission date]. I would like to kindly inquire about its current status. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
Keep it brief, respectful, and professional. Editors are often handling dozens of submissions.
What If You Don’t Receive Any Response?
- Double-check your email spam folder for automated status updates.
- If you receive no reply after 2 weeks of your email, consider sending one final reminder.
- Still nothing? If the journal is not responding for months, you may choose to withdraw the manuscript. Most journals require a formal withdrawal letter.
But never submit the same article to another journal without officially withdrawing it first.
Tips for Staying Organised
Many Indian researchers submit to multiple journals over their career. Keeping track of submissions is vital.
- Maintain a spreadsheet: Include title, journal name, submission date, current status, and next steps.
- Use reference management software like Mendeley or Zotero to link your manuscript drafts with journal guidelines.
- Mark follow-up dates on your calendar so you don’t forget to check back.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequent follow-ups: Editors don’t appreciate being contacted too often.
- Panic during delays: Peer reviews can take months. UGC journals are often understaffed, so patience matters.
- Assuming rejection: A delayed decision doesn’t always mean bad news.
Conclusion
Tracking your journal submission is a careful balance between staying updated and showing professional patience. Indian researchers often depend on journal publications for academic promotions, thesis completion, or UGC norms—so it’s natural to feel anxious. But with the right strategies, polite follow-ups, and organised records, you can manage the process efficiently.
Always remember: submitting to a journal is a long game. Respecting the process and communicating professionally helps you build a good reputation in academic publishing.