It depends on the school. But publishing in Scopus, SCI and SSCI journals are most recommended for researchers. Don't waste your PhD data in predatory journals. They add nothing to your academic record.
What I feel is that Scopus Indexed Journal is just a medium of generating money and is nexus between University and the Journal. High price, no gurantee of publications if free scopus journal is approached.
I think Government needs to act on this. This is an unnecessary tension for researcher and have absolutely no use. Researcher do think and please do review MCI notification where Scopus is not at all mandatory.