What Percentage of Similarity Is Allowed in UGC Journals?

Introduction

In academic publishing, maintaining originality is essential. For Indian PhD scholars and researchers aiming to publish in UGC-CARE-listed journals, understanding the acceptable similarity percentage is more than just a technical detail—it’s a matter of academic integrity and career impact. Plagiarism, even when unintentional, can lead to paper rejection, institutional action, or damage to one’s scholarly reputation. This blog offers a clear, India-focused explanation of similarity percentages in UGC-recognised journals, their implications, and how to stay within safe limits.

Understanding Plagiarism and Similarity Reports

Let’s begin by clarifying the difference between plagiarism and similarity. Plagiarism is the unethical use of someone else’s work without proper citation. A similarity report, on the other hand, is a technical output generated by tools like Turnitin or Urkund, which shows how much of your text matches with existing published materials.

A high similarity percentage doesn’t always mean plagiarism—but it raises red flags and requires careful review. UGC and most Indian universities have adopted similarity thresholds to define what is acceptable in a submission.

UGC’s Official Similarity Guidelines

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has laid down clear guidelines in its UGC (Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2018.

Here are the key thresholds:

• Up to 10% similarity: Acceptable. No penalty or action is required.
• 10% to 40% similarity: Minor revision required. The author must rework the manuscript before resubmission.
• 40% to 60% similarity: The submission is rejected. Rewriting is mandatory, and resubmission may be allowed after a waiting period.
• Above 60% similarity: Serious violation. The submission is rejected, and disciplinary action may be initiated as per institutional policies.

For PhD theses and research publications, these levels are enforced strictly, especially when applying for degrees, promotions, or grants.

What Counts Towards the Similarity Score?

Similarity tools don’t just look at paragraphs—they match phrases, citations, headings, and even properly referenced text.

 Here’s what generally contributes to the similarity score:

• Direct quotations (even if cited)
• Repetition of standard terminology (common in scientific writing)
• Use of templates or institutional headers
• Previously published work by the same author (self-plagiarism)

However, good similarity checkers exclude references, bibliography sections, and small strings of words (like 5-8 word matches). Still, you should review the full similarity report—not just the percentage.

Why Similarity Levels Matter for UGC Journals

Journals included in the UGC-CARE list are expected to maintain high academic standards. Submissions with excessive similarity can harm the journal’s credibility and indexing status. That’s why editorial teams are cautious, and many reject manuscripts outright if similarity exceeds 20–25%, even though the UGC officially allows up to 40% in some cases.

Also, for faculty promotions under CAS (Career Advancement Scheme) and research fellowships, publications in low-similarity, high-quality journals carry more value.

Tips to Keep Your Similarity Percentage Low

Here are some practical ways to ensure your manuscript stays within the accepted limits:

1. Paraphrase Thoughtfully: Don’t just change words—rewrite concepts in your own voice.
2. Cite Properly: Always cite the original source when borrowing an idea or framework.
3. Avoid Copy-Pasting from Proposals or Old Papers: Even your own previous work should be rewritten, not reused.
4. Use Plagiarism Checkers Early: Run a check before submission so you have time to revise.
5. Focus on Original Analysis: Your interpretation, case study, or data analysis adds uniqueness.
6. Take Institutional Help: Most Indian universities offer Turnitin access—ask your supervisor or research cell.

Indian Context: UGC, AICTE, and University Norms

Different institutions may apply UGC regulations with slight variations.

For example:

• AICTE-approved institutions often follow the same UGC similarity limits, especially for M.Tech and PhD submissions.
• Private universities sometimes set stricter norms (e.g., under 15%) to maintain academic reputation.
• State universities may have internal plagiarism committees to review borderline cases.

When in doubt, always check your department’s or journal’s specific plagiarism policy before final submission.

Consequences of Ignoring Similarity Standards

High similarity percentages don’t just risk rejection—they can trigger long-term academic consequences:

• PhD degrees can be withheld or revoked.
• Faculty promotions may be delayed.
• Journals may blacklist repeat offenders.
• Institutions may impose suspension or grade penalties.

In India, where your academic record affects government job eligibility, fellowships, and academic credibility, these risks are too serious to ignore.

Conclusion

For Indian researchers aiming to publish in UGC-recognised journals, understanding and managing similarity percentage is not just a technicality—it’s a responsibility. With the UGC allowing up to 10% without issue and requiring revisions beyond that, careful writing, paraphrasing, and ethical citation practices become essential parts of your research process. Respecting these limits ensures not only the success of your current manuscript but also builds long-term academic credibility.