Elevating Academic Excellence: HEC Invites Accreditation Nominations for Local Research Periodicals in 2026
Nomination Cutoff: 4 December 2025
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan is spearheading efforts to fortify the nation’s scholarly ecosystem by inviting submissions for accrediting indigenous research publications for the Calendar Year 2026. This initiative targets journals produced by accredited higher education entities, public sector research and development (R&D) organizations, or registered non-profit academic societies/non-governmental organizations (NGOs). By aligning with the updated Journals and Publications Policy 2024 (as amended in November 2025), HEC aims to recognize outlets that uphold rigorous standards, fostering credible knowledge dissemination across disciplines.
This accreditation cycle emphasizes transparency, quality control, and compliance, ensuring only high-caliber periodicals contribute to Pakistan’s research landscape. Publishers must demonstrate ownership, editorial integrity, and consistent output to qualify.
Fundamental Accreditation Objectives
Accreditation validates journals as reliable platforms for scholarly work, benefiting researchers, institutions, and policymakers. Primary goals include:
- Promoting adherence to international publishing norms while addressing local needs.
- Enhancing visibility and indexing potential for accredited titles.
- Supporting capacity-building in editorial processes and peer review.
- Encouraging interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary contributions.
Qualification Benchmarks for 2026 Cycle
To secure recognition, journals must satisfy these streamlined criteria, drawn from the 2024 policy amendments:
- Ownership Verification: Exclusive control by a university, designated autonomous institution (DAI), R&D body, or registered non-profit society/NGO.
- Editorial Governance: A qualified board featuring PhD holders or equivalent (e.g., FCPS/FRCS/MCPS for medical fields).
- Publication Volume: At least five original research articles per issue in the prior calendar year.
- Profit Alignment: No commercial motives; peer-reviewed content must align with the entity’s research mission.
- Registration Proof: Societies/NGOs must hold valid Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) or Registrar of Societies certification.
- Exclusion Note: Listings in CABELL’s Predatory Journal database disqualify applicants outright.
Even currently HEC-listed journals require fresh applications for 2026 renewal.
Submission Framework: Step-by-Step Guidance
| Phase | Actions Required | Timeline/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pre-Submission Prep | Review policy at HEC site; gather ownership docs, board profiles, and article samples. | Ongoing; start early for completeness. |
| 2. Fee Remittance | Pay non-refundable processing charge via online portal (Rs. 50,000 for private HEIs/R&D/societies). | Integrated in portal; public sector exempt. |
| 3. Portal Upload | Enter journal details, upload evidence (DOIs, updated info, policy compliance declaration). | Exclusive online mode; no postal alternatives. |
| 4. Review & Notification | HEC evaluates submissions; status updated in real-time on portal. | Post-deadline; no individual emails/letters. |
| 5. Accreditation Grant | Approved titles listed for CY 2026; appeals limited to policy grounds. | January 2026 onward. |
Follow these numbered steps precisely to avoid delays:
- Access the HEC Research Journal Management System (RJMS) portal.
- Create or log into your account using institutional credentials.
- Select “New Accreditation Application” for 2026.
- Input unique journal identifiers (ISSN/DOI) and attach mandatory files.
- Validate payment and submit; retain confirmation receipt.
Regional Support Network: HEC Centers by Province
HEC’s regional offices provide localized guidance for journal publishers, facilitating queries and workshops. Below is an overview of key centers, aiding accessibility across Pakistan’s administrative divisions:
| Province/Region | Center Name | Primary City/District | Contact Highlights | Support Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab | HEC Regional Center Lahore | Lahore (Lahore Dist.) | Ph: 042-99211560; regional advisory | Editorial training, Punjab-based pubs |
| Sindh | HEC Regional Center Karachi | Karachi (Karachi South) | Ph: 021-99244789; coastal outreach | Sindh journal compliance workshops |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | HEC Regional Center Peshawar | Peshawar (Peshawar Dist.) | Ph: 091-9217610; northern liaison | KP R&D society registrations |
| Balochistan | HEC Regional Center Quetta | Quetta (Quetta Dist.) | Ph: 081-9201791; frontier support | Balochistan NGO journal validations |
| Federal Capital | HEC Head Office | Islamabad (ICT) | Ph: 051-90409052; central hub | Nationwide policy clarifications |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir | HEC Liaison Office Muzaffarabad | Muzaffarabad (Muzaffarabad Dist.) | Via HQ coordination | AJK university-affiliated titles |
Pro Tip: Schedule virtual consultations via regional emails for tailored assistance.
Critical Highlights
- Policy Anchor: Full guidelines, including FAQs and templates, accessible at HEC’s journals site.
- Fee Structure: Rs. 50,000 for non-public entities; waivers for government HEIs/R&D.
- Exclusivity: Online-only process ensures efficiency; offline attempts rejected.
- Timeline Urgency: As of 20 November 2025, just two weeks remain—prioritize uploads.
- Impact Scope: Accredited journals gain priority in HEC funding, faculty promotions, and global indexing.
Evaluation Mechanism
Submissions undergo a multi-tier review:
- Initial Compliance Check: Automated portal scans for completeness and fee confirmation.
- Expert Panel Assessment: Domain specialists verify editorial quality and output metrics.
- Ownership Audit: Cross-verification with SECP/Registrar records.
- Final Endorsement: HEC’s Research Journals Section approves or rejects based on policy fidelity.
- Feedback Loop: Limited revisions allowed for borderline cases; decisions final post-appeal window.
Operational Directives
- Payment Finality: Fees non-transferable and non-refundable; public sector applicants auto-exempt.
- Documentation Integrity: Falsified info leads to blacklisting and potential legal repercussions.
- Renewal Mandate: No automatic carryover—annual reapplication required for sustained status.
- Diversity Encouragement: Open to all disciplines; special emphasis on underrepresented fields like social sciences.
- Query Routing: Direct to RJMS helpdesk; no third-party handling.
- Cancellation Clause: HEC may suspend cycle if submissions fall short of viability thresholds.
At-a-Glance Overview
- Initiative Lead: HEC’s R&D Division, promoting 2026 scholarly benchmarks.
- Target Audience: Universities, DAIs, R&D orgs, and registered societies/NGOs.
- Benefits Package: Enhanced credibility, funding access, and researcher incentives.
- Action Imperative: With deadline looming, verify eligibility today for seamless entry.
Dedicated Nomination Platform
Launch Submission → https://research.hec.gov.pk
(Access RJMS under ‘Journal Accreditation’; scan QR for mobile entry. For policy deep-dive: https://www.hec.gov.pk/site/journals)
Vigilance Bulletin: Inquiry and Redress Protocols
HEC’s process is digital and impartial—reject any unsolicited demands for payments or expedited services, as they signal scams. Official alerts originate solely from @hec.gov.pk domains. For grievances, email rj@hec.gov.pk with evidence or call 051-90409052/051-90409321. Escalate fraud to Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) via 1995 helpline. Your reports safeguard the ecosystem’s integrity.
Addressing Key Inquiries (FAQs)
Q: Can foreign-owned entities apply?
A: No—strictly limited to Pakistan-based publishers with local registration.
Q: What if my journal has fewer than five articles last year?
A: Disqualified; build volume in 2025 for future cycles.
Q: Is ISSN mandatory at submission?
A: Preferred but not essential; DOI inclusion strengthens claims.
Q: How to check application status?
A: Log into RJMS portal anytime; no separate notifications.
Q: Are medical journals exempt from PhD board requirements?
A: No—FCPS/FRCS/MCPS equivalents accepted for clinical fields.
High-Volume Discovery Terms for 2025
Boost your outreach with these trending queries in Pakistan’s academic publishing arena:
- HEC Journal Accreditation 2026
- Pakistan Research Journals Application December 2025
- HEC RJMS Portal Guide
- Accredited Journals Pakistan 2026 List
- SECP Registered Societies Journal Nomination
- HEC Publications Policy 2024 Updates
- R&D Organizations Journal Approval HEC
- Non-Profit NGO Research Periodicals HEC
- CABELL’s Predatory Exclusion HEC
- HEC Research Journals Section Contacts
Forging Pathways to Scholarly Eminence
This HEC accreditation window is a cornerstone for elevating Pakistan’s research narrative, bridging local innovation with global discourse. For publishers embodying editorial rigor and mission-driven output, it’s an unmissable gateway to legitimacy and influence. Finalize your portal entry by 4 December 2025 to anchor your journal in 2026’s accredited roster. Explore https://research.hec.gov.pk forthwith—your submission could amplify voices shaping tomorrow’s knowledge frontiers.
