NMC Approved Journals - Category List
The National Medical Commission (NMC) regulates medical education and practice in India. To support faculty publication requirements, the NMC has criteria for recognizing journals indexed in approved databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, DOAJ, etc.).
Browse journals by category below. Each list shows journals that fall within the NMC’s recognized indexing standards for the chosen subject area.
What is the NMC?
The National Medical Commission (NMC) is the apex regulatory body for medical education and professional practice in India, established under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, replacing the former Medical Council of India (MCI). The NMC sets quality standards for medical colleges, maintains a national register of doctors, regulates fees, and importantly — recognizes journals for the purposes of faculty publication requirements and academic promotion.
Why NMC Recognition Matters
- Faculty promotion: Indian medical college faculty must publish in NMC-recognized journals for promotions (Assistant Professor → Associate Professor → Professor).
- MD / MS / DM / MCh thesis: Theses are evaluated against publications in recognized journals.
- Department recognition: Departments need a certain number of NMC-recognized publications for postgraduate seat sanctioning.
- Trust signal: NMC-recognized journals follow ethical standards and credible peer review.
NMC Journal Recognition Criteria
For a journal to be considered NMC-recognized for faculty promotions, it must be indexed in at least one of the following:
- PubMed / MEDLINE
- Scopus
- Web of Science (SCI/SCIE)
- Embase
- DOAJ (for open-access journals)
- Index Copernicus (with caveats)
Important: NMC explicitly excludes journals that publish predominantly without peer review or charge unethical fees. Always verify the journal’s indexing status before submission.
How to Verify NMC Recognition Yourself
- Check the journal in the indexing databases above.
- Cross-reference with our predatory journals list — predatory journals are not NMC-recognized regardless of any “recognition” claim.
- Use our Advanced Journal Finder filtered by Scopus / PubMed / WOS for your subject.
- Check the latest NMC notification on its official website (rules can change).
NMC FAQ
Is the NMC list the same as the old MCI list?
The NMC replaced the MCI in 2020. Recognition criteria are similar but more stringent. Some journals previously accepted by MCI are no longer NMC-recognized.
Are PubMed-indexed journals always NMC-recognized?
Yes — PubMed/MEDLINE indexing is a strong signal of NMC recognition. However, PubMed Central (PMC) is different from PubMed indexing — verify carefully.
Where can I find the official NMC-recognized journals list?
The NMC has not published a single definitive list. Recognition is judged based on indexing in approved databases. Our category-wise NMC pages curate journals based on these criteria.
Can I publish in non-NMC journals?
Yes, but those publications won’t count toward promotion in Indian medical institutions. They’re fine for personal interest, conference proceedings, or international career building.
