CIJFMR charges no fee at submission or during review. The article processing charge (APC) is requested only after a manuscript has been accepted. This policy explains when that charge is refundable.

1. Full refund

The Journal refunds the APC in full where:

  • the corresponding author paid the charge twice, or paid more than the correct amount (the excess is refunded);
  • the Journal cannot publish an accepted and paid manuscript for reasons within its control;
  • the Journal rescinds acceptance because of a serious ethical concern discovered after payment but before publication (for example, plagiarism or duplicate submission), without prejudice to the action the Journal takes under its ethics policy;
  • the payment was made in response to a payment request issued in error; or
  • the corresponding author withdraws the manuscript, with the editor's agreement, before copy-editing begins.

2. No refund

The APC is not refundable where:

  • the article has been published;
  • the corresponding author withdraws the manuscript after copy-editing has begun;
  • the authors fail to accept the licence agreement or supply required information within 60 days of the Journal's request, despite reminders; or
  • the article is retracted after publication because of misconduct by the authors.

3. Changes in authorship after payment

Where the number of authors changes after payment, with the Journal's approval, the charge is adjusted: the difference is refunded for a reduction, and requested for an increase.

4. How to request a refund

The corresponding author writes to editor@cijfmr.com with the subject line "Refund request: [manuscript reference number]", stating the reference number and title; the payment date, amount and Razorpay payment ID; and the reason for the request. The Journal acknowledges the request within five working days and decides it within 15 working days.

5. Processing of refunds

Approved refunds are made to the original payment method through Razorpay within 7 to 10 working days of approval. Bank or gateway charges for international payments may be deducted where the payment provider does not return them. Refunds are never made in cash or to an account other than the one used for payment.

6. Cancellation of submissions

Authors may withdraw a manuscript at any time before acceptance without any charge. Withdrawal after acceptance requires the editor's agreement.

7. Contact

For questions about payments or refunds, write to editor@cijfmr.com or use the contact page.