NIRF revamp: Govt to penalise research fraud; tainted citations face cuts

India’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is undergoing a significant overhaul, introducing a negative marking system for research malpractice. Universities will face penalties for retracted papers and their citations, aiming to curb academic dishonesty and misrepresentation. This stricter approach seeks to enhance research credibility and may lead to debarment for persistent offenders, signalling zero tolerance for academic fraud.