For researchers, PhD scholars, teachers, and postgraduate students in agricultural sciences, choosing the right journal for publishing research is an important decision. A journal may be indexed in different databases, have an impact factor, or carry a particular ranking or score. Among the journal-evaluation systems commonly encountered in agricultural research in India is the NAAS rating.

But what exactly does NAAS rating mean? What is a NAAS score? How are journals evaluated, and what does it mean when a journal appears on the NAAS-listed journals list?

This guide explains the concept in simple language and provides a practical overview of the NAAS journal scoring system. For a current list of rated journals, see our guide on NAAS journal rating 2026: updated list, scores, criteria and author guidelines.

What Is NAAS?

NAAS stands for the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, an Indian academy that provides a forum for scientists and works on issues related to agricultural research, education, and extension.

The Academy developed a journal-scoring system to create a more transparent and numerical method for evaluating research publications, particularly in connection with the assessment of scientific publications for its Fellowship and Associateship processes.

Therefore, when researchers talk about a NAAS-rated journal, they are generally referring to a scientific journal that has been assigned a score in the NAAS journal-scoring system.

What Is NAAS Rating?

A NAAS rating, more accurately referred to as a NAAS Score, is a numerical score assigned to eligible scientific journals by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

The score is intended to provide a quantitative measure that can be used in the evaluation of research publications. It should not be confused with a universal ranking of journals across all academic disciplines.

The official NAAS journal list currently provides journal names, ISSNs, journal identification numbers, and their corresponding NAAS Scores. The current list is identified by NAAS as being effective from January 1, 2026.

For example, the current list contains journals with scores ranging from relatively low numerical values to the maximum score of 20.00. Examples include Agricultural Economics Research Review with a score of 5.15, Agricultural Systems with 12.10, and ACS Nano with 20.00.

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How Is the NAAS Score Calculated?

The NAAS system broadly considers journals in two categories.

Category I: Journals With a Clarivate Impact Factor

For journals for which a Clarivate Journal Citation Reports Impact Factor is available, the NAAS system states that the score is calculated as:

NAAS Score = 6.00 + Impact Factor

The resulting score is capped at 20.00.

For instance, if a journal has an applicable Impact Factor of 5.00, the formula would result in:

6.00 + 5.00 = 11.00

However, the actual score for a particular journal should always be checked against the official NAAS list rather than calculated independently.

Category II: Journals Without a Clarivate Impact Factor

Journals without a Clarivate Impact Factor are evaluated using information supplied by publishers through the prescribed process, along with an assessment of the scientific content of the journal.

This means that the NAAS system is not simply an Impact Factor list. Different evaluation mechanisms can apply depending on the journal category.

What Are NAAS-Listed Journals?

NAAS-listed journals are journals that appear in the journal list maintained by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and have a corresponding NAAS Score or status in the Academy's system.

The official list contains thousands of journals across agriculture and related scientific disciplines. Each entry can include information such as:

  • Journal name
  • Journal identification number
  • ISSN
  • NAAS Score

The list covers journals from agricultural sciences as well as several related scientific fields.

Researchers should always consult the current official list before assuming that a particular journal has a valid NAAS score.

Why Is NAAS Rating Important for Researchers?

NAAS scoring can be relevant when researchers are evaluating where to publish their work, particularly in agricultural sciences.

A NAAS Score can provide a numerical reference when publications are being assessed under systems or institutional requirements that specifically recognize NAAS scores.

The Academy itself explains that its journal-scoring mechanism was developed to bring greater uniformity to the evaluation of publications used in its Fellowship and Associateship assessment processes.

However, a NAAS Score should not be treated as the only factor when selecting a journal.

Researchers should also examine:

  • Whether the journal is relevant to the research topic
  • Peer-review practices
  • Editorial policies
  • Indexing and abstracting services
  • Publication ethics
  • Journal scope
  • Article processing charges, if applicable
  • Publication timelines
  • Retraction and correction policies
  • Whether the journal is currently active and accepting submissions

Is a Higher NAAS Score Always Better?

A higher numerical score indicates a higher NAAS score within the NAAS scoring framework, but researchers should be careful about interpreting that number as a complete measure of journal quality.

Journal evaluation is more complicated than a single number.

For example, a researcher working on a highly specialized agricultural topic may find that a more subject-specific journal is a better match for the research even if another journal has a higher numerical score.

The practical question should therefore be:

Does this journal meet the research, institutional, ethical, and subject-specific requirements for my publication?

The NAAS score can be one part of that assessment.

How Can You Check the NAAS Score of a Journal?

The safest approach is to use the official NAAS journal database rather than relying on information published on third-party websites.

The current official NAAS page provides the "NAAS Score of Science Journals" list and states that the list is effective from January 1, 2026.

When checking a journal, it is useful to search using its exact journal title or ISSN. The ISSN is particularly helpful because journal titles can sometimes be similar. For additional context on journal indexing systems, read global indexing and ranking systems for agriculture journals.

Why Should You Check the ISSN?

An ISSN is a unique identifier associated with a serial publication. Using it when checking a journal can help prevent confusion between journals with similar or identical names.

Before submitting a manuscript, compare the following information:

Journal title → ISSN → NAAS Journal ID → Current NAAS Score

If the information does not match the official NAAS record, investigate further before submitting your paper.

How Often Does the NAAS List Change?

NAAS scores and journal listings can change over time, so researchers should avoid depending on an old PDF, screenshot, university notice, or third-party website without checking the current official list.

The NAAS website states that the ratings of non-Impact-Factor journals evaluated in 2023 and included in the NAAS Rating List uploaded on January 1, 2024, remain valid through December 31, 2026, subject to the stated condition concerning acquisition of a Journal Citation Reports Impact Factor.

This is one reason why checking the current official NAAS information is important when a university, institution, promotion process, or research requirement specifies a particular publication period. For an overview of how journal metrics fit into a broader evaluation landscape, see NAAS journal rating 2026: updated list and criteria.

NAAS Rating vs Impact Factor: What Is the Difference?

NAAS Score and Impact Factor are related concepts in some cases, but they are not the same thing.

Impact Factor is a journal-level citation metric associated with Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports.

NAAS Score, on the other hand, is a scoring system established by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences for evaluating scientific journals.

For journals with an applicable Clarivate Impact Factor, NAAS specifies a formula of 6.00 plus the Impact Factor, subject to a maximum score of 20.00. Journals without such an Impact Factor can be evaluated using information provided by publishers and scientific-content assessment.

Therefore, saying that a journal's NAAS Score and Impact Factor are interchangeable would be incorrect.

NAAS Score and Journal Selection

Suppose you have completed a research project in agricultural science and are looking for a journal.

Instead of choosing a journal solely because it has a high NAAS Score, consider the following sequence:

  • First, check the subject scope. Make sure the journal publishes research similar to your manuscript.
  • Second, verify the journal identity. Check its official title, ISSN, publisher, and website.
  • Third, verify the current NAAS status. Search the official NAAS list and confirm the current score.
  • Fourth, examine the journal's editorial and peer-review policies. A legitimate publication process is essential.
  • Finally, check your institutional requirements. Some universities, research organizations, employers, or academic bodies may have their own rules concerning acceptable journals and publication scores.

What Does a NAAS Score of 5, 7, 10, or 15 Mean?

A NAAS Score is a numerical value within the NAAS system. It is not a percentage and should not be interpreted as "5 out of 10" or "15 out of 20" in the ordinary academic grading sense.

For example, the official 2026 list includes journals with scores such as 4.62, 5.15, 7.10, 10.00, 12.50, and 20.00.

The important point is that the score represents the journal's position within the NAAS scoring framework; it does not mean that the journal has achieved that percentage of academic quality.

Can a Journal Lose Its NAAS Status?

Researchers should not assume that a journal will remain on a list permanently.

NAAS maintains information concerning journals that could not be assigned a score for particular years. The Academy has indicated reasons that can include failure to provide required information, failure to meet eligibility requirements, lack of the required Impact Factor history, journal closure, or inclusion in a list of predatory journals.

Consequently, checking the current status of a journal is much safer than relying on an old claim such as "this is a NAAS journal." For more on avoiding publication pitfalls, read common mistakes to avoid when submitting articles to agriculture journals.

NAAS-Listed Journal vs NAAS-Approved Journal

These expressions are sometimes used casually, but researchers should pay attention to the exact terminology used by their institution.

A journal appearing in the official NAAS journal list and having a NAAS Score is evidence that it is included in the Academy's scoring system. However, whether that journal satisfies a particular university's PhD, promotion, recruitment, thesis, or research-publication requirement depends on the rules of the relevant institution.

In other words:

NAAS listing does not automatically mean that every institution will treat the journal in exactly the same way.

Always read the current publication guidelines applicable to your academic or professional requirement.

How to Avoid Fake NAAS Journal Claims

The popularity of journal metrics has also created opportunities for misleading claims.

Before submitting a paper, avoid relying solely on statements such as:

  • "NAAS Approved Journal"
  • "NAAS 10 Journal"
  • "NAAS Certified Journal"
  • "100% NAAS Accepted"

Instead, verify the journal directly against the official NAAS list.

You should also check whether the journal title and ISSN match the official record. A website using a similar journal name does not necessarily represent the journal listed by NAAS.

A Simple Checklist Before Publishing

Before submitting your research paper, ask these questions:

  • Is the journal listed in the official NAAS database?
  • Does the journal title exactly match the NAAS record?
  • Does the ISSN match?
  • What is the current NAAS Score?
  • Is the score applicable to the year or period relevant to your requirement?
  • Does the journal publish research in your subject area?
  • Is its peer-review process clearly explained?
  • Is the publisher identifiable?
  • Are publication charges clearly disclosed?
  • Does your university, institution, or research organization accept the journal for your particular purpose?

This short checklist can prevent many avoidable publication problems.

The NAAS rating system provides a numerical framework for assessing scientific journals, with particular relevance to agricultural and related research. The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences developed the system to bring greater uniformity and transparency to the evaluation of scientific publications.

For researchers, the NAAS Score can be a useful reference when evaluating journals, but it should not be the only consideration. Journal relevance, peer-review standards, publication ethics, indexing, institutional requirements, and the authenticity of the publication venue also deserve careful attention.

Most importantly, always verify the current NAAS Score and journal details from the official NAAS source before submitting your manuscript. The official 2026 list is the appropriate starting point for checking current information.

A good publication decision is not simply about finding a journal with a particular number. It is about finding a legitimate and suitable journal that matches your research, your publication goals, and the requirements applicable to your academic or professional work. For guidance on the broader publication process, refer to how to publish agriculture research quickly and efficiently.

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