Scopus Discontinued 10 Journals in October 2026: Complete List, Final Coverage, and What Researchers Should Know
Research Integrity • Journal Indexing • Scholarly Publishing | October 2026
Journal indexing is an important consideration for researchers, PhD scholars, faculty members, and academic institutions. The inclusion of a journal in Scopus can improve the discoverability of published research and help researchers track citations and evaluate scholarly literature.
However, inclusion in Scopus is not permanent. Journals are subject to ongoing evaluation, and their coverage may be discontinued or changed when they no longer meet applicable requirements or when other changes to their publishing arrangements affect their indexing status.
According to the October 2026 update described in the supplied report, Scopus discontinued coverage of 10 journals, with the update reportedly released on 9 October 2026. The report also states that 45 new journals were added to the Scopus journal list during the same update.
These changes are important for researchers choosing where to publish, doctoral scholars meeting institutional publication requirements, and faculty members preparing research-performance documentation.
An essential distinction: A journal's discontinuation does not automatically mean that it is predatory, that its previously published articles are invalid, or that every existing article record has been removed from Scopus. Researchers should examine the official source record, the stated reason for the change, and the final coverage date before drawing conclusions.
1. An important clarification about the reporting date
Although the supplied headline describes the update as an October 2026 update, independent reports published on 12–13 October identify these same ten titles as part of the September 2026 Scopus discontinuation update, reported in October.
This distinction between the update's release date and its coverage period helps prevent confusion in academic reporting.
2. Complete list of the 10 Scopus-discontinued journals
The following list reproduces the journal details and final coverage information supplied in the report. Researchers should cross-check the records against the official Scopus Sources database before making publication or institutional decisions.
No. | Journal title | ISSN / E-ISSN | Publisher | Reported indexation change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | — / 2119-0275 | Advanced Electromagnetics | Journal change policy | |
2 | 2312-4334 / 2312-4539 | V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University | Discontinuation | |
3 | 1694-5948 / 1694-5972 | Ala-Too International University | Journal change policy | |
4 | European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry | 0965-7452 / 2396-8893 | European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry | Journal change policy |
5 | International Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | — / 2789-2557 | SvedbergOpen | Journal change policy |
6 | Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour | 2050-8824 / 2050-8832 | Emerald Publishing | Journal change policy |
7 | 1096-1879 / — | Multinational Finance Society | Journal change policy | |
8 | 0556-3321 / 2070-3368 | Pakistan Botanical Society | Discontinuation | |
9 | 1951-0187 / 2105-3022 | Éditions ESKA | Journal change policy | |
10 | 2254-4070 / 2340-8812 | Universidad de Murcia | Journal change policy |
Source: The supplied journal list, cross-referenced with independent reporting on the September 2026 Scopus update.
Reported final coverage details
The final coverage information supplied with the list is summarized below. These details identify the latest reported covered content, not necessarily the journal's latest publication on its own website.
Journal | Source Record ID | Reported final coverage |
|---|---|---|
21100444341 | 2026, Vol. 15, Issue 2, pp. 21–34 | |
21101018929 | 2026, Vol. 2026, Issue 2, pp. 622–632 | |
21101218125 | 2025, Vol. 18, Issue 35, pp. 75–111 | |
European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry | 25029 | 2025, Vol. 33, Issue 4, pp. 465–470 |
International Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | 21101344619 | 2026, Vol. 6, Issue 8s, pp. 608–615 |
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour | 21100269616 | 2024, Vol. 15, Issue 4 |
21101123266 | 2026, Vol. 30, Issue 2 | |
19983 | 2026, Vol. 58, Issue 6, pp. 1392–1398 | |
21101290950 | 2026, Vol. 21, Issue 2, pp. 112–120 | |
21101023086 | 2026, Vol. 15, Article 70 |
Editorial note: The supplied information contains some irregular issue/date formatting for the Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour and Multinational Finance Journal. The official source records should be consulted for the exact issue numbers and coverage boundaries.
3. What do the different Scopus status labels mean?
One of the most important aspects of this update is the distinction between Discontinuation and Journal change policy.
According to Elsevier's official Scopus content policy, titles flagged for re-evaluation are reviewed by the Content Selection and Advisory Board (CSAB). Content flow may be suspended during the review. The board then decides whether coverage should continue or whether forward indexing should be discontinued.
The label Discontinuation indicates that Scopus has decided to stop coverage of the journal following its evaluation.
In the supplied list, this status is reported for:
- East European Journal of Physics\
- Pakistan Journal of Botany
Researchers should check the official source record to establish the precise coverage-end date and determine whether the decision affects the article or issue they intend to publish.
B. Journal change policy
The remaining eight titles carry the label Journal change policy in the supplied report.
This label should not be interpreted automatically as proof of unethical publishing or inadequate peer review. A change in a journal's title, publisher, ISSN, or other publishing arrangements may affect how its coverage is recorded.
The precise reason for a particular journal's status should be confirmed from the official record or an authoritative statement from the publisher. The label alone is not sufficient evidence to make allegations about the journal.
C. Why the distinction matters
Scopus also distinguishes between source records that are inactive, discontinued, or stopped following a title and ISSN change. These statuses have different implications, so researchers should inspect the individual source details rather than rely on a general list.
Scopus evaluates journals against its content-selection criteria and can re-evaluate titles when monitoring identifies unusual or concerning patterns.
According to Elsevier, the review process can consider publication activity, citation patterns, author collaborations, and other signals that may warrant further examination. The CSAB evaluates flagged journals using criteria aligned with those applied to new titles.
- Inadequate or inconsistent peer review.
- Publication activity that is inconsistent with the journal's stated scope or normal publishing pattern.
- Unusual citation patterns or other signals requiring investigation.
- Concerns about research integrity or publication ethics.
- Failure to maintain the standards required for continued coverage.
These are general considerations, not confirmed explanations for every journal in the October-reported list. The exact reasons for individual decisions should not be inferred without evidence.
5. What happens to articles published in discontinued journals?
This is one of the most important questions for researchers.
Discontinuation of a journal does not automatically mean that all previously indexed articles are removed from Scopus.
Elsevier states that previously indexed content generally remains part of the scientific record when a title is discontinued or placed on hold. Removal of existing content may occur in exceptional cases involving proven and severe unethical publication practices.
- Previously indexed articles: Existing records generally remain available, subject to exceptional decisions concerning content removal.
- Articles published after the coverage boundary: These articles should not be assumed to enter Scopus simply because earlier issues of the journal were indexed.
- Articles with uncertain indexing status: Search for the specific DOI or title in Scopus and examine the journal's coverage information. A publisher's claim of indexing is not sufficient evidence that a particular article has been indexed.
Does the final coverage year guarantee indexing of every article in that year?
No. A final coverage year identifies the reported end of a source's coverage, but it should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every article published during that year has been indexed.
The final covered issue may be earlier than the journal's latest published issue. Researchers should therefore verify the individual article record and the relevant source coverage dates.
6. What does this mean for PhD scholars?
For doctoral researchers, journal selection can have consequences for thesis submission, publication requirements, academic assessment, and career progression.
Before submitting a manuscript, PhD scholars should take the following precautions.
Check the journal's current status
Search the journal title or ISSN on the official Scopus Sources website.
Do not rely solely on a journal's homepage, old indexing certificate, previous Scopus metrics, or third-party journal lists.
Verify the required publication criteria
Universities and research institutions may have different rules regarding the relevant database, publication date, article type, and coverage status.
Confirm whether the applicable regulation requires the journal to be actively indexed at submission, acceptance, or publication.
Consult the research supervisor
If a manuscript is already under review in a journal whose coverage has changed, discuss the available options with the supervisor and research office before deciding whether to withdraw or continue.
Retain documentary evidence
Keep the article DOI, publication details, relevant source record, and the date on which the indexing status was checked. These records may be useful if questions arise during institutional assessment.
7. What should researchers do if their paper is already published?
A change in indexing status can be concerning, but the appropriate response depends on the individual article and the applicable institutional rules.
Situation | Recommended action |
|---|---|
Paper already indexed | Verify and retain the Scopus record and DOI. |
Paper accepted but not published | Check the journal's current status and coverage boundary before deciding how to proceed. |
Paper published after the reported final coverage | Search for the article in Scopus; do not assume it will be indexed. |
Paper required for promotion or PhD evaluation | Consult the relevant university or institutional regulations. |
Publisher promises indexing despite discontinuation | Request clarification and independently verify the claim. |
Researchers should not automatically treat a published article as invalid simply because the journal's subsequent coverage has been discontinued. Scientific validity and database coverage are different matters.
8. How to verify a journal's Scopus indexing status
The official source record is the most appropriate starting point for verifying journal coverage.
Step 1 — Search Scopus Sources
Visit Scopus Sources and search using the exact journal title or ISSN.
Step 2 — Review coverage years
Check the source's coverage information and status. Scopus explains that coverage years indicate the content available in the database and do not constitute a commitment to continued coverage.
Search by DOI, article title, or author name to establish whether the particular paper has a Scopus record.
Step 4 — Consult the official discontinued-source list
Elsevier states that discontinued titles are included in the Scopus source title list, which is updated monthly.
Save the date, source details, and relevant article record for future reference.
9. Eight practical lessons for journal editors and publishers
The discontinuation of journal coverage also highlights the importance of maintaining sound editorial practices.
Maintain robust peer review. Manuscripts should undergo appropriate and transparent evaluation before publication.
Enforce publication ethics. Establish clear policies for plagiarism, duplicate publication, authorship, conflicts of interest, and corrections.
Maintain a consistent scope. Published content should align with the journal's stated disciplinary focus.
Avoid artificial citation practices. Citation activity should reflect legitimate scholarly relevance.
Ensure transparent editorial governance. Clearly identify the editorial team, review procedures, and publication policies.
Communicate publishing changes promptly. Material changes to a journal's title, publisher, or ISSN should be handled transparently.
Monitor content quality. Publication volume should not take priority over scientific rigor.
Review indexing claims regularly. Journal websites and promotional materials should accurately reflect current database coverage.
These measures are consistent with the broader purpose of maintaining the quality and integrity of scholarly publishing. Scopus's formal decision-making process remains the responsibility of its evaluation system and advisory board.
The supplied report describes two changes in the same update: ten journals discontinued and 45 new journals added to the Scopus journal list.
These are separate developments. The addition of new titles does not necessarily offset the discontinuation of others in terms of subject coverage, publication volume, or research quality.
The reported figures reinforce three practical points:
Journal indexing is dynamic and should be verified periodically.
Researchers should choose journals based on suitability, editorial credibility, and current coverage—not indexing claims alone.
Institutions should use official source records when assessing publication eligibility.
The figure of 45 additions should be treated as reported information until confirmed in the corresponding official Scopus source-list edition.
11. Frequently asked questions
Q1. How many journals were discontinued in the update?
The supplied report identifies ten journals in the update released around 9 October 2026, which independent reporting describes as the September 2026 discontinuation update.
No. Discontinuation alone does not establish that a journal is predatory. The specific status and reasons for a decision should be verified from authoritative records.
Q3. Will articles published before discontinuation remain in Scopus?
Generally, previously indexed content remains available, although exceptional removal may occur in serious cases involving proven and severe unethical publication practices.
Elsevier's policy provides for an embargo period before a discontinued title can be suggested again. The precise requirements depend on the applicable policy, and resubmission does not guarantee renewed coverage.
Not necessarily. The journal may continue publishing after Scopus coverage ends. Check the source record and individual article records.
Q6. Where can authors check current indexing?
Use the official Scopus Sources website and search by journal title or ISSN.
Conclusion
The reported discontinuation of ten journals in the September 2026 Scopus update, announced in October, is an important reminder that indexing status can change over time.
For researchers, the central lesson is to verify journal coverage before submission, understand the final coverage boundary, and confirm whether the specific article is indexed. For universities and research administrators, consistent verification and clear publication policies can prevent unnecessary disputes during academic assessment.
At the same time, journal discontinuation should not be confused with a blanket judgment on every article published by that journal. Indexing status, editorial quality, and scientific validity are related but distinct considerations.
The best publication strategy is simple: verify the source, examine the coverage dates, maintain documentary evidence, and prioritize research integrity over indexing claims alone.
Official and supplementary sources
Scopus Support — Understanding source details and coverage status
Independent report — Scopus journals discontinued in September 2026
Independent report — Exclusion of journals from Scopus in September 2026
Editorial disclaimer: This article summarizes the supplied list and independent reports. Journal-level status, exact coverage boundaries, and any implications for institutional evaluation should be confirmed using the official Scopus source record.
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