Introduction
For many Indian research scholars, getting a journal rejection letter that cites plagiarism is both disheartening and confusing. After months or even years of hard work, being told that your work contains plagiarism can feel like a personal attack. However, in most cases, this is not about accusing you of dishonesty—it’s about maintaining academic integrity and protecting the originality of research. In the competitive academic world, especially for those aiming to publish in UGC-CARE listed or Scopus-indexed journals, understanding why plagiarism is cited as a reason for rejection is critical.
High Similarity Index Is a Red Flag
Most reputable journals use plagiarism detection tools like Turnitin, iThenticate, or Urkund before sending manuscripts to peer reviewers. If your similarity index is above their acceptable threshold—often 10–15%—your paper is likely to be rejected outright. Even if your content is accurate and well-written, a high similarity score suggests that parts of your work are not sufficiently original or properly cited.
Common Problem Areas in Manuscripts
Plagiarism is not always found in the core research findings. Instead, it often appears in the background, literature review, or methodology sections. For example, reusing descriptions of standard procedures without rewriting them in your own words can lead to similarity detection. Many Indian scholars also copy definitions or established theories word-for-word from textbooks or online sources without quotation marks, thinking this is acceptable—when in fact, it is not.
The Role of Self-Plagiarism
Self-plagiarism—reusing your own previously published work without citation—is another common cause of journal rejection. Scholars who have written conference papers or presented similar studies sometimes reuse whole paragraphs in their journal submission. While you may see this as “your own work,” journals consider it a form of duplication that lowers the originality of the paper.
Why Journals Are Strict About It
Academic journals operate with a responsibility to protect the credibility of published research. Even a small amount of unattributed copied text can lead to legal disputes, reputational damage, and loss of trust in the journal. This is why even minor cases of plagiarism are taken seriously and result in rejection, especially when dealing with international publishers or reputed Indian journals under UGC guidelines.
Avoiding Plagiarism-Related Rejection
To reduce the risk, scholars should:
- Run plagiarism checks before submission using reliable tools.
- Learn proper paraphrasing techniques instead of making superficial word changes.
- Cite every source, even for commonly known theories, if the exact phrasing is taken from a text.
- Avoid reusing large portions of previous work without explicit mention and proper referencing.
Conclusion
Plagiarism-related rejections are not just about copying—they are about maintaining the integrity of academic publishing. For PhD and MPhil scholars in India, especially those targeting journals recognised by UGC or international indexing bodies, taking plagiarism checks seriously is essential. By understanding how plagiarism is detected and addressing it proactively, scholars can significantly improve their chances of publication and protect their academic reputation.