If a journal was indexed in Scopus or Web of Science when the article was published, the paper is generally considered valid for PhD submission and academic promotion. Later discontinuation of the journal usually does not affect the legitimacy of already published work.
Problems arise when a paper is published after the journal has been discontinued. In such cases, the article is typically not accepted for PhD requirements or promotion, even if the journal claims indexing on its website.
Evaluation committees usually verify validity by checking the coverage years shown in the official Scopus or Web of Science source lists. The publication year must fall within the indexed coverage period of the journal.
In some situations, a journal may be downgraded rather than fully discontinued, such as moving from SCI to ESCI. These papers are often still valid, but their weight in promotion decisions depends on institutional or regulatory rules.
To avoid future issues, authors should always verify and save proof of indexing status before submission. Keeping screenshots or official source list records helps during PhD evaluation or promotion reviews.