India Research Watch (IRW)[1] is a volunteer-run non-profit organization established in 2022 to combat scientific misconduct and research fraud in India.[2][3] The group monitors cases of suspected research fraud, plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, and related malpractice reported anonymously..[4]
IRW was founded in 2022 by Achal Agrawal,[5] an engineer and research scientist who earned a PhD at the Paris-Saclay University. Agrawal, a former professor of computer science, became concerned after he realized that a first-year student had published a research paper by simply paraphrasing another work.[6] In its early work, IRW analyzed public databases and launched anonymous tip lines to gather information on suspected misconduct.[7][8]
As of July 2025, IRW members, comprising scientists, students, and data analysts from various institutions, investigate tips about suspect papers and flag issues publicly (e.g., on PubPeer or social media) to pressure journals and universities to take disciplinary action.[9][10] IRW and its founder, Achal Agrawal, were recognized by Nature's 10 in 2025. [11]
Activities
IRW published an article in The Hindu presenting data on a rising trend of scientific misconduct by showing evidence from Retraction Data. This article was among the earliest in Indian media to discuss the country’s retraction rates in academic publishing.[12]
For example, in 2023 IRW compiled data showing that 58 papers by Indian Institutes of Technology faculty[13] had been retracted (for plagiarism or duplication) between 2006 and 2023.[14] IRW’s analyses have examined possible links between institutional ranking systems and instances of research fraud. In recognition of its retraction‑data analyses, IRW received a Digital Science Catalyst Grant to develop PostPub, a platform intended to enhance research accountability. IRW has published reports scrutinizing practices such as manipulation of NIRF rankings and irregularities in NAAC accreditation.
In 2024, Agrawal highlighted flaws in India’s NIRF ranking methodology and its susceptibility to manipulation.[15][16] Citing alleged irregularities in NAAC assessments, Agrawal has proposed discontinuing the current NAAC rating system.[17] A 2025 Nature article described IRW’s work using the Retraction Watch Database to visualize and analyze retraction trends at Indian institutions.[18]
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