Every PhD scholar eventually hits the same wall: a thesis deadline that needs a published paper attached to it, and very little time left to get one out. Fast publishing ISSN journals exist for exactly this situation. They give scholars a genuine, peer-reviewed route to publication, without the six-to-nine-month wait that many high-impact journals require.
This list covers 10 fast publishing ISSN journals across engineering, computer science, management, pharmacy, and nursing. Each one carries a verifiable ISSN, follows a real peer-review process, and is built for scholars who need quick publication journals without cutting corners on quality.
Before you shortlist any journal, it also helps to understand what makes a fast turnaround genuine rather than a red flag. The sections below walk through both: how to evaluate a journal quickly, and where to actually submit once you are ready.
Why Fast Publishing ISSN Journals Matter for PhD Scholars
Most universities ask PhD scholars to publish at least one or two papers before thesis submission. UGC regulations and departmental research committees also expect proof of publication in a journal with a valid ISSN. When your submission window is tight, a fast publishing journal becomes less of a convenience and more of a necessity.
A genuine fast-track journal does not skip peer review; it simply runs a tighter, better-organised editorial timeline. Editors often work with a fixed panel of reviewers, set firm turnaround windows for each review round, and communicate decisions on a schedule rather than an open-ended queue. That is the difference scholars should look for before submitting anywhere.
This matters just as much for working professionals and part-time scholars, who often have narrower windows between job commitments to complete their research publications.
How to Spot a Genuine Fast Journal (Not a Predatory One)
See exactly how Mantech’s editorial timeline moves from submission to decision.
“Fast” and “predatory” are not the same thing, but scholars often confuse them. Before you submit to any quick publication journal, check for these signs:
- The ISSN is verifiable on the ISSN Portal, not just printed on the journal’s own website.
- The journal names a real editorial board with checkable institutional affiliations.
- Peer review is mentioned as a process, not skipped entirely for a fee.
- The journal is listed or traceable on the UGC-CARE list or a recognised indexing database, where applicable.
- Author fees and turnaround timelines are published openly, not shared only after you submit.
- For a deeper checklist, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) publishes widely-used guidance on identifying trustworthy journals.
10 Fast Publishing ISSN Journals Worth Considering in 2026
The journals below are published by Mantech Publications, an academic publishing house that has issued ISSN and DOI-backed journals for over a decade. Each one follows a structured review cycle designed to keep scholars within their submission deadlines.
1. Journal of Research in Computer Science and Engineering
Subject: Computer Science & Engineering ISSN: 2457-0818 (Online) Frequency: 3 issues/year Starting Price: ₹2,500 per paper
A steady option for scholars in core computer science, covering algorithms, networks, and applied computing research. It suits scholars who want a reliable, discipline-specific journal rather than a broad multidisciplinary one. View journal details.
2. Journal of AI Insights: Advances in Artificial Intelligence
Subject: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning ISSN: 3049-3145 (Online) Frequency: 3 issues/year Starting Price: ₹2,500 per paper
Suited to scholars working on machine learning, AI applications, and intelligent systems research. Given how fast this field moves, a quick publication timeline helps keep your findings current at the time of release. View journal details.
3. Journal of Computer, Internet and Network Security
Subject: Cybersecurity & Digital Trust ISSN: 2457-0176 (Online) Frequency: 3 issues/year Starting Price: ₹2,500 per paper
A focused outlet for network security, digital trust, and cyber defence research papers. It works well for scholars whose research sits between computer science and information security. View journal details.
4. Journal of Research in Electrical Circuits and Systems
Subject: Electrical & Electronics Engineering ISSN: 3139-2059 (Online) Frequency: 3 issues/year Starting Price: ₹2,500 per paper
Covers circuit design, power systems, and applied electrical engineering research for scholars in the field. The three-issue annual cycle gives regular submission windows throughout the year. View journal details.
5. Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics
Subject: Mechanical Engineering ISSN: 3107-4510 (Online) Frequency: 3 issues/year Starting Price: ₹2,500 per paper
A practical choice for scholars publishing on applied mechanics, thermal systems, and manufacturing research. It accepts both experimental and simulation-based papers from engineering departments. View journal details.
Building your department’s publication policy
6. Journal of Transportation Engineering and its Applications
Subject: Civil Engineering ISSN: 3107-4499 (Online) Frequency: 3 issues/year Starting Price: ₹2,500 per paper
Built for civil engineering scholars researching transportation systems, infrastructure, and urban mobility. It also accepts applied case studies from institutional projects and field surveys. View journal details.
7. Journal of Marketing and Sales Management
Subject: Management & Commerce ISSN: 2457-0095 (Online) Frequency: 2 issues/year Starting Price: ₹3,000 per paper
A relevant venue for management scholars researching marketing strategy, sales, and consumer behaviour. MBA and commerce scholars often use it for case-based and survey research alike. View journal details.
8. Journal of Pharmacy and Medicinal Research
Subject: Pharmacy Sciences ISSN: 3107-8427 (Online) Frequency: 3 issues/year Starting Price: ₹2,800 per paper
Covers pharmaceutical research, drug formulation, and medicinal chemistry for pharmacy scholars. It is a fitting option for scholars finishing lab-based pharmacy research on a tight academic calendar. View journal details.
9. Journal of Comprehensive Nursing Research
Subject: Nursing Sciences ISSN: 3107-5592 (Online) Frequency: 3 issues/year Starting Price: ₹2,800 per paper
A dedicated outlet for nursing scholars publishing clinical, community, and patient-care research. It accepts both quantitative studies and structured case reports from nursing departments. View journal details.
10. Journal of Research in Physics and Applied Sciences
Subject: Applied Sciences ISSN: 3139-1397 (Online) Frequency: 2 issues/year Starting Price: ₹2,500 per paper
Suited to scholars in physics and applied sciences looking for a structured, ISSN-backed publication route. It is a practical fit for interdisciplinary applied-science research as well. View journal details.
A Realistic Fast-Publishing Timeline: What to Expect
“Fast” still means a real process. Here is roughly how a well-run fast-track journal moves a paper from submission to publication:
- Day 1-2: Initial screening for scope, formatting, and plagiarism checks.
- Day 3-8: Peer review by subject-matter reviewers on the editorial panel.
- Day 9-11: Author revisions based on reviewer comments, if requested.
- Day 12-13: Final editorial decision and acceptance confirmation.
- Day 14-15: Formatting, DOI assignment, and publication in the upcoming issue.
Timelines can shift slightly depending on how quickly authors respond to revision requests, so submitting a clean, well-formatted manuscript on the first attempt is the single biggest factor within a scholar’s control.
What Makes These a Low-Cost ISSN Journal Option for Scholars
Publication fees across this list generally range from ₹2,500 to ₹3,000 per paper, which is considerably lower than many international journals that charge in dollars. For self-funded PhD scholars, this pricing makes a real difference when you need to publish more than once during your research.
Most of these journals also publish two to three issues a year, which keeps the submission-to-decision cycle short and predictable. That combination of low cost and a fixed issue schedule is exactly what makes a journal practical for scholars working against a thesis deadline, rather than an open-ended academic timeline.
You can compare frequency, pricing, and ISSN status for every discipline on Mantech’s complete Journals Pricelist, or explore journals by subject area through the Science & Technology Journals and Management Journals collections.
Pick the right ISSN journal for your subject area.
Does Your Institution Recognise Fast-Published ISSN Journals?
Publishing quickly only helps if your institution actually counts the journal toward your research requirements. Colleges preparing for NAAC, NBA, or NIRF evaluations usually maintain their own list of acceptable journal criteria for faculty and scholar publications, so it is worth checking this before you submit.
This is also where research supervisors play a role. A quick conversation with your guide or department research committee before submission can save weeks of back-and-forth later, especially if your institution has a preferred list of journals or a minimum indexing requirement.
If you are faculty helping scholars choose the right journals as part of your department’s research output, Faculty Publication Guidance from Bhavya Gyan Consultants (BGC) walks institutions through building a publication policy that satisfies accreditation reviewers.
Choosing the Right Journal Based on Your PhD Specialisation
The right journal depends on your specific research area, not just your broad discipline. If you are still finalising your PhD specialisation or comparing research-focused programs, BhavyaGyan’s PhD programs guide lists doctoral courses across engineering, management, and healthcare fields, which can help you map your research direction before you start submitting papers.
Still comparing PhD specialisations
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Fast Publishing Journal
Even experienced scholars slip up when they are racing a deadline. These are the mistakes that cause the most rejected papers and wasted fees:
- Submitting to a journal without checking if the ISSN is genuinely registered, which risks your paper being rejected later by your university.
- Ignoring the editorial board and peer-review process entirely, instead of confirming who actually reviews submitted papers.
- Choosing a journal outside your research subject just because it is faster, which weakens your paper’s relevance and citations.
- Not confirming whether your institution accepts the journal for evaluation credit before you pay any fee.
- Paying publication fees before reading the refund and rejection policy, leaving no recourse if the paper does not get accepted.
- Assuming every journal with an ISSN automatically qualifies for UGC or NAAC-linked research requirements without checking first.
Conclusion
Fast publishing ISSN journals are not a shortcut around quality research; they are simply a better-organised route through peer review. Scholars who verify the ISSN, check the editorial board, and confirm institutional acceptance can publish quickly without compromising credibility. Use the list above to shortlist a journal that fits your subject, budget, and timeline, and start your submission with confidence.
FAQs
ISSN is a unique code identifying a journal for indexing and academic recognition.
Typically within 2 to 4 weeks after a completed peer-review process.
Not if peer review, editorial boards, and ISSNs are genuine and verifiable.
Yes, as long as your institution accepts the journal’s criteria.
Yes, scholars often publish across disciplines depending on their research.
External Resources
These independent resources help you verify any journal before you submit:
- ISSN Portal — official global registry to verify any journal’s ISSN.
- UGC-CARE List — India’s reference list of approved academic journals.
- Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) — global guidance on identifying trustworthy journals.
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