Top 5 Open Access Pediatric Journals in India: Guide for Doctors Choosing Publication Venues
- Akhila Kosuru
- Dec 4, 2025
- 3 min read
Indian pediatricians as per NMC guidelines require to publish at least 2-4 original papers in indexed journals like PubMed or Scopus. Open access journals democratize knowledge sharing, boosting visibility for evidence-based child health studies relevant to India's diverse population.
This guide ranks the top 5 open access options by metrics like impact factor, indexing, reach, and citations, helping doctors select venues that enhance career impact and clinical relevance.
Indian Pediatrics: Premier Choice for High Visibility
Indian Pediatrics, official publication of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, leads with an impact factor of 1.5 (2024 JCR). Indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, and UGC-CARE, it ensures broad discoverability and citation potential, with an H-index of 63. The journal attracts 5 million monthly website hits, reflecting massive reach among South East Asian clinicians, and follows ICMJE/COPE standards for rigorous peer review.
Publishing here signals quality, as its Google Scholar h5-index ranks it among top pediatric open access titles (28). Doctors gain from high citation rates due to practical focus on common Indian childhood issues like malnutrition and infections.
Indian Journal of Pediatrics: Established Research Hub
As India's oldest pediatric journal, Indian Journal of Pediatrics boasts a 2.0 impact factor (2025 JCR) and 1.3 million annual downloads. Scopus-indexed (SJR 0.468, Q2 in Pediatrics), with H-index 67, it excels in citations for original research and reviews on child health management. Though primarily subscription-based, many articles offer open access options, making it accessible for Indian practitioners.
Its Web of Science SCIE indexing supports NMC promotion criteria, with strong regional influence. Pediatricians benefit from faster review times and relevance to evidence-based practices in resource-limited settings.
International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics: Rapid Open Access Option
This peer-reviewed journal emphasizes infant and adolescent health, with over 3,700 articles published and 3,500+ citations amassed. It holds a 0.074 impact factor (2024) and Scopus coverage, though lacking PubMed, limiting some prestige. High volume (231+ papers yearly) drives moderate reach via DOAJ and open platforms.
Ideal for case series or preliminary studies, its h-index of 12 suits early-career doctors building publication records. Low barriers aid quick dissemination of India-specific pediatric data.
Asian Journal of Pediatric Research: Emerging Indexed Platform
Focused on innovative pediatric studies, Asian Journal of Pediatric Research scores an Index Copernicus value of 95.75, with CNKI and Publons indexing. It has published 389+ articles garnering 78 citations total, yielding a low but growing 0.0 impact factor and h-index of 1. Open access model ensures global visibility without fees for many submissions.
Suitable for niche topics like metabolic disorders, it appeals to researchers prioritizing speed over high citations.
Indian Journal of Child Health: Broad Coverage for Clinicians
This monthly journal covers diverse pediatric topics, indexed in select databases though without a reported JCR impact factor. It supports open access publication, fostering citations through practical articles on child health in India. Reach extends via online platforms, aiding visibility for community pediatricians.
Its focus on clinical applicability helps fulfill publication quotas with relevant, citable work.
Journal | Impact Factor (Latest) | Key Indexing | H-Index | Monthly Reach/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Indian Pediatrics | 1.5 (2024) | PubMed, Scopus, SCIE | 63 | 5M hits |
Indian Journal of Pediatrics | 2.0 (2025) | Scopus, SCIE | 67 | 1.3M downloads/year |
Int. J. Contemporary Pediatrics | 0.074 (2024) | Scopus, DOAJ | 12 | 3.7K papers |
Asian J. Pediatric Research | 0.0 (est.) | Index Copernicus, CNKI | 1 | 389 papers, low citations |
Indian J. Child Health | N/A | Select databases | N/A | Broad clinical focus |
Strategic Tips for Manuscript Submission
Prioritize PubMed/Scopus-indexed journals like Indian Pediatrics for NMC promotions and higher citations.
Assess fit by reviewing recent issues.
Aim for evidence-based submissions aligning with journal scope.
Tools like AstraAI from Augsidius Health Technologies streamline literature reviews and citation tracking, empowering Indian doctors in their research journey.
Track metrics via ScimagoJR or JCR releases (June annually) to monitor journal growth. Start with mid-tier options for volume, scaling to top ones for impact.
For tailored advice on pediatric publications or NMC compliance, explore Augsidius' resources. Share your submission experiences below.
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