The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan maintains an updated list of recognized academic journals for the year 202324. This list is essential for researchers, students, and academic institutions seeking to publish in credible and approved venues. HEC’s system ensures that journals meet quality standards, including regular publication, peer review, editorial board qualifications, and indexing. Understanding how to access this list, what each category means, and the importance of choosing the right journal is vital for those engaged in academic publishing in Pakistan.
Understanding the HEC Journal Recognition System (HJRS)
Purpose of HJRS
The HEC Journal Recognition System (HJRS) is an online portal that showcases all HECrecognized journals across multiple disciplines. Its goal is to promote quality scholarly publishing in Pakistan by categorizing journals based on rigorous criteria and facilitating access for researchers.
How HJRS Works
- Journals must register with valid ISSN, functional websites, and meet regular publication requirements.
- Editorial boards must consist of qualified academics, including international experts for higher categories.
- Each paper must undergo peer review and meet HEC’s publication and ethical standards.
Categories of HEC Recognized Journals
Category W
These are top-tier journals with an Impact Factor and listing in reputable indices like Journal Citation Reports (JCR). They are considered the highest quality and often receive Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze medallions to indicate stability of ranking.
Category X
Journals without impact factor but meeting all HEC criteria plus at least one international reviewer on each paper. These are certified high-quality national journals.
Category Y
Recognized journals that follow most of HEC’s standards but may lack international indexing or broader peer review. They may still serve for academic citation, promotion, or degree requirements.
How to Access the List of Recognized Journals
Using the HJRS Portal
Visit the official HJRS website to search journals by name or ISSN. You can also filter by discipline such as Engineering, Natural Sciences, Health, Social Sciences, or MultiDisciplinary and view details about JPI score, category (W/X/Y), and medallion status.
Downloading Lists and Reports
The HJRS portal allows exporting lists in Excel format by subject or category. Such lists often include top journals like Genome Biology and Current Biology, which have Wcategory and Platinum medallions in disciplines such as Agriculture and Biology.
Examples of Recognized Journals
Top Science Journals (W Category)
- Genome Biology W, Platinum
- Current Biology W, Platinum
- Plant Cell W, Platinum
These journals are internationally indexed and have very high prestige in their fields.
National Journals in Y or X Categories
- Pakistan Journal of Agriculture Sciences Y category, meets national standards
- Journal of Chemical Society Pakistan W or X depending on indexing
- Pakistan Journal of Medical Association Y category
These journals serve smaller or national academic communities and are accepted in HEC’s academic frameworks.
Multidisciplinary and Social Sciences Titles
- Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences (PJSS)
- NICE Research Journal
- NUML Journal of Critical Inquiry
These journals are often classified in Y or X categories and published by Pakistani universities or institutes.
Why This List Matters for Researchers and Students
Academic Credibility
Publishing in an HEC-recognized journal ensures that the research is formally accepted for academic promotions, PhD requirements, and academic evaluation under the Pakistani system.
Maintaining Standards
HEC’s policies encourage adherence to peer review, ethical guidelines, publication regularity, and indexing, ensuring research quality across the board.
Choosing the Right Journal
Researchers should choose journals by discipline, category, and required ranking. Submitting to W-category journals offers top visibility; X and Y journals are acceptable depending on institutional or degree requirements.
Steps to Get Your Journal Recognized
Eligibility Criteria
- Valid ISSN and institutional ownership by university, R&D body, or registered NGO
- Functional website and online archive
- Editorial board with PhD holders and international reviewers
- Peer review process adherent to HEC standards
Meeting these criteria allows journals to apply for HEC accreditation in open submission windows, usually yearly.
Application Process
Journals apply online via the Research Management Portal by deadlines (often early April). Approval is granted for a one-year cycle from July 1 to June 30 of the next year.
The list of HEC recognized journals for 202324 provides a trusted reference for Pakistani academics and researchers. Through HJRS, journals are evaluated and categorized into W, X, or Y based on strict quality benchmarks such as impact factor, peer review, editorial standards, and indexing. Whether you plan to publish or evaluate work for academic credit, using this list ensures credibility and alignment with institutional guidelines. For access to the full and updated list, visit the HEC Journal Recognition System and explore discipline-based or category-specific listings for your field of study.
Let me know if you’d like to include a short list of specific journal names with their categories or medallions.