Refund, Returns, Cancellation & Adjustment Policy

Indo-American (AMN) Health and Research Foundation
(A Not-for-Profit Company incorporated under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, Government of India)

Corporate Identification Number (CIN): U88900MP2025NPL074566
GSTIN: 23AAICI0114L1ZW

Last Updated: Sunday, 15 June 2025

1. Purpose, Scope & Legal Applicability

This Refund, Returns, Cancellation & Adjustment Policy (“Policy”) governs all financial transactions, whether paid or voluntary, entered into with the Indo-American (AMN) Health and Research Foundation (“Foundation,” “we,” “our,” or “us”).

This Policy applies to all stakeholders, including but not limited to:

• Applicants and participants

• Fellows, honorees, beneficiaries

• Donors, sponsors, partners

• Volunteers and collaborators

This Policy forms an integral and binding part of the Foundation’s:

• Terms & Conditions

• Privacy Policy

• Program Guidelines

• Fellowship & Recognition Regulations

• RTI & Public Disclosure Documents

By making any payment, donation, or financial contribution, the payer irrevocably acknowledges, accepts, and agrees to be bound by this Policy.

2. Non-Commercial & Charitable Nature

The Foundation is a non-profit, mission-driven organization operating strictly on a cost-recovery and sustainability basis.

Accordingly:

• Payments are not commercial purchases

• Fees are contributions toward program execution

• No consumer-seller relationship is created

No payment constitutes a contractual guarantee of outcome, benefit, recognition, certification, employment, or conferment.

3. Absolute Non-Refundability Principle

3.1 General Rule

Except where expressly stated otherwise, ALL PAYMENTS MADE TO THE FOUNDATION ARE STRICTLY NON-REFUNDABLE, including but not limited to:

• Application & registration fees

• Processing & evaluation fees

• Program & participation fees

• Event & ceremony fees

• Course & workshop fees

• Donations, grants & sponsorships

Non-attendance, partial attendance, dissatisfaction, personal constraints, or inability to participate shall not give rise to any refund, compensation, or claim.

4. NPHRS – Nations’ Plenary Health & Research Summit

4.1 Nature of NPHRS Fees

Fees paid under NPHRS are utilized for:

• Administrative processing

• Centralized Credit Score (CCS) evaluation

• Verification, compliance & security

• Event organization & logistics

They do not represent payment for a degree, license, employment, or entitlement.

4.2 Fellowship Status & Refund Implications

4.2.1 Final Fellowship Status

• Ordinarily conferred only upon verified physical presence at an officially designated International NPHRS Fellowship Honors Ceremony

• Authorizes permanent use of Fellowship suffixes

• Absence does not entitle the participant to any refund

4.2.2 Provisional Fellowship Honors

• Granted when attendance occurs at a Regional Meeting or Foundation-approved alternate forum

• Does not authorize use of Fellowship titles/suffixes

• Does not reduce fees

• Does not create any refund right

4.3 Transition from Provisional to Final Fellowship Status

A participant holding Provisional Fellowship Honors may be considered for Final Fellowship Status without payment of any additional fee through any ONE of the following pathways:

Option 1: International Ceremony (Standard Path)

Attendance at the next officially designated International NPHRS Fellowship Honors Ceremony, subject to verification.

Option 2: Regional Meeting

Attendance at the next officially scheduled Regional Meeting, where Final Fellowship Status for the previous cycle may be conferred.

Option 3: Final Fellowship at Regional Meeting Based on Foundation Satisfaction (Discretionary Clause)

Notwithstanding the general requirement of International Ceremony attendance, the Foundation may, at its sole and absolute discretion, confer Final Fellowship Status at a Regional Meeting, even if the participant did not attend the original International Ceremony, provided that the Foundation is satisfied—based on documented verification, compliance review, and institutional assessment—that the participant:

a) Has fully fulfilled all eligibility, evaluation, and selection requirements;
b) Has successfully completed mandatory Government-issued ID verification, in-person biometric attendance, and all applicable KYC and compliance formalities; and
c) Continues to demonstrate sustained alignment with the values, ethical standards, objectives, and mission of the Foundation.

➡️ Upon such satisfaction, the Foundation may approve and confer Final Fellowship Status at a Regional Meeting, without requiring attendance at the original International Ceremony.

Legal Safeguards

• The decision shall be final, conclusive, and binding

• Determined strictly on a case-by-case basis

• Subject to approval by the competent authority of the Foundation

• No right, entitlement, expectation, or precedent shall arise

• Non-approval does not give rise to any refund, compensation, or legal claim

4.4 Event Cancellation or Postponement

If an NPHRS event is cancelled or postponed by the Foundation:

• A partial refund, credit, or deferment may be offered at the Foundation’s discretion

• The Foundation bears no liability for travel, accommodation, visa, or incidental expenses

5. MARS – 🧠 24/7 Mental Health Helpline – India 🇮🇳

5.1 Nature of Service

MARS is a subscription-based, non-emergency mental health support helpline, operating on a ₹500 per week subscription model, providing:

• 24/7 text-based emotional support

• Fixed-time call assistance as required

• Guided psychological support for stress, anxiety, low mood, emotional overwhelm, and overthinking

• Non-crisis mental health guidance and emotional regulation support

Important Clarifications:

• MARS is not an emergency service

• It is not a substitute for hospital-based psychiatric care

• It does not guarantee medical, psychiatric, diagnostic, or therapeutic outcomes

• Medication support, where applicable, is provided only by registered MBBS doctors for selected conditions, strictly in accordance with Indian Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, with psychiatrist referral for complex cases

5.2 Subscription Fee & Non-Refundability

• The ₹500 weekly subscription fee is strictly non-refundable once the subscription period begins

• Fees are charged toward availability, access provisioning, professional allocation, and operational readiness, irrespective of usage frequency

• Non-usage, partial usage, dissatisfaction, missed interactions, or user-initiated discontinuation shall not entitle the subscriber to any refund, credit, or adjustment

5.3 Missed Sessions, No-Shows & Cancellations

• Missed calls, delayed responses, or user unavailability during fixed-time assistance shall be treated as availed service

• No refunds or extensions shall be granted for no-shows or missed engagement windows

5.4 Limited Exception – Foundation-Initiated Cancellation

A refund, credit, or extension may be considered solely at the discretion of the Foundation if:

• The Foundation is unable to provide access to the service due to internal technical failure, or

• The service is cancelled by the Foundation before activation of the subscription period

Such determination shall be final, conclusive, and binding, and shall not create precedent or entitlement.

5.5 Ethical, Legal & Misuse Safeguards

Any refund, credit, or continuation request shall stand automatically forfeited if the subscriber:

• Misuses the helpline for non-supportive, abusive, or unlawful purposes

• Attempts to treat MARS as emergency or crisis intervention despite disclaimers

• Violates user conduct guidelines or professional boundaries

6. Nova Hikari (光) – Program-Specific Policy

6.1 Program Nature

Nova Hikari (光):

• Is a method-based, non-degree, non-licensing program

• Inspired by The Kintsugi Way of Living

• Focused on resilience, self-awareness, leadership, and holistic well-being

• Is not medical treatment, therapy, or academic certification

6.2 Refund Position

All Nova Hikari (光) fees are strictly non-refundable, including in cases of:

• Partial attendance

• Non-completion

• Personal dissatisfaction

• Schedule conflicts

6.3 Discretionary Adjustments

At its sole discretion, the Foundation may:

• Permit rescheduling

• Allow batch transfer

• Issue participation or completion acknowledgment

Such adjustments do not constitute refunds.

7. Merchandise, Certificates & Physical Materials

7.1 Eligible Returns

Returns are accepted only if:

• The item is defective or damaged upon delivery

• An incorrect item has been supplied

Requests must be raised within 7 days with proof and photographs.

7.2 Non-Returnable Items

• Fellowship certificates, insignia, medals, awards

• Customized or personalized items

• Digital content

• Items returned without prior written approval

8. Donations & Voluntary Contributions

8.1 General Rule

All donations are voluntary, unconditional, and non-refundable.

8.2 Limited Technical Exceptions

Refunds may be considered only for:

• Duplicate transactions

• Proven payment gateway errors

Requests must be made within 14 days with supporting evidence.

9. Waiver, Chargeback & Limitation of Liability

By making any payment, the payer:

• Waives the right to initiate chargebacks without prior written communication

• Agrees that Foundation liability, if any, is strictly limited to the refundable amount (if applicable)

• Acknowledges that non-refundability is a material condition of participation

10. Misuse, Misrepresentation & Forfeiture

Any refund, credit, or adjustment request shall be automatically forfeited if the participant:

• Misrepresents Provisional Honors as Final

• Uses Fellowship titles without authorization

• Submits false or misleading documents

• Violates the Foundation’s Code of Conduct

11. Governing Law, Jurisdiction & Final Authority

This Policy shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of India.

All disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

The Foundation reserves absolute, unilateral, and final authority to:

• Interpret and apply this Policy

• Approve or reject any request

• Amend this Policy without prior notice

12. Official Contact & Communication

📧 indiaoffice@indo-american.org
📞 +91 11 6931 0933
🌐 www.indo-american.org

RTI & Grievances:
📧 rti@indo-american.org | grievance@indo-american.org