Similarity Checking and Plagiarism Policy
Originality and Academic Integrity
The Indian Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET), published by PhD Kro, India, is committed to maintaining originality and integrity in scholarly publishing. The journal’s approach to plagiarism prevention is informed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018, concerning academic integrity in higher educational institutions. Authors must submit original research, properly acknowledge previous work, and avoid plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, and misleading reuse of published material.
Similarity Screening
Submitted manuscripts may be examined for textual similarity, improper attribution, and substantial overlap with existing publications. Editorial screening may involve available similarity-detection tools, reference verification, and manual assessment. A similarity percentage alone does not establish plagiarism. Editors consider the context, nature, and extent of overlapping material before determining whether further clarification or editorial action is necessary.
UGC Similarity Levels
The UGC Regulations, 2018, identify four levels of similarity for assessing plagiarism in academic work within higher educational institutions. These levels are presented below for reference.
| Level | Similarity | UGC Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 | Up to 10% | Minor similarities; no penalty |
| Level 1 | Above 10% to 40% | First level of plagiarism |
| Level 2 | Above 40% to 60% | Second level of plagiarism |
| Level 3 | Above 60% | Highest level of plagiarism |
Important: These classifications belong to the UGC framework for higher educational institutions. IJET does not automatically accept manuscripts below 10% similarity or reject manuscripts solely on a numerical score. All submissions remain subject to independent editorial assessment of originality and attribution.
Exclusions from Similarity Assessment
Informed by Section 7 of the UGC Regulations, 2018, similarity reports should be interpreted with appropriate consideration of properly attributed quotations, references, bibliographies, standard technical terms, laws, symbols, and standard equations. Common knowledge and incidental matching phrases, including the limited word matches described in the UGC regulations, should also be evaluated in context. Such exclusions do not permit unattributed copying or concealment of substantive intellectual overlap.
Prior Publication and Text Recycling
Authors must disclose relevant preprints, theses, dissertations, conference papers, and earlier versions of their work. Prior dissemination does not automatically make a manuscript ineligible, provided that the submission offers an original scholarly contribution and complies with applicable copyright and publication requirements. Substantial reuse of previously published material without appropriate disclosure or attribution is not acceptable.
Editorial Actions and Author Response
Where potential plagiarism is identified, the editorial team may request an explanation, supporting documents, or manuscript revision. Serious or unresolved concerns may result in rejection. Suspected misconduct discovered after publication may lead to a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, depending on the evidence. Authors will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond wherever practicable. Institutional disciplinary penalties under UGC regulations remain the responsibility of the relevant higher educational institution and are not imposed by IJET.
Similarity Assessment Workflow
- Manuscript Submission: Author submits original research and the required declarations.
- Initial Screening: The editorial team checks originality, citations, and relevant prior publication.
- Similarity Evaluation: Potentially significant overlaps are examined in context, considering applicable exclusions.
- Author Clarification: The author may be asked to explain or correct identified concerns.
- Editorial Decision: The manuscript proceeds to peer review, requires revision, or is rejected based on the findings.
Responsibilities and Appeals
Authors are responsible for the accuracy, originality, and proper attribution of their manuscripts. Editors must assess suspected plagiarism fairly, confidentially, and without relying exclusively on similarity scores. Authors may submit a reasoned appeal against a plagiarism-related editorial decision. Appeals are reviewed independently where practicable.
Regulatory Reference
This policy is informed by the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2018, particularly Sections 7, 8, and 12.2. Reference to UGC regulations does not imply that the journal is recognized, accredited, or approved by UGC.