Smart Research Solutions (SRS)
Effective Date: 24 October 2026
1. Introduction
Smart Research Solutions (“SRS”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) provides educational courses, research training, workshops, academic research support, and professional research consultancy services through https://smartresearchsolutions.in and other agreed delivery channels.
SRS operates as a sole proprietorship under Mr. Gaurav Pattnaik, based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
This Refund & Cancellation Policy explains the conditions under which customers, learners, and institutional clients may request cancellations, refunds, or adjustments to payments.
The policy applies to purchases and engagements made directly through SRS unless different, lawful terms have been expressly disclosed and agreed before purchase.
Nothing in this policy restricts remedies available under applicable Indian law.
2. Self-Paced Digital Courses
2.1 Seven-Day Conditional Refund
Learners purchasing a self-paced digital course may request a refund within 7 calendar days of the purchase date, provided the course has not been substantially accessed or consumed.
For ordinary change-of-mind requests, SRS may consider the following:
- The date of purchase and refund request.
- The proportion of paid lessons accessed or completed.
- Whether substantial paid course materials have been downloaded or used.
- Whether any paid assessments, personalised evaluations, or supplementary services have already been delivered.
Merely logging into an SRS account, viewing the course dashboard, or accessing free introductory content does not constitute substantial use.
Substantial use will be assessed reasonably using available course-progress records, access to paid learning materials, completed assessments, and personalised services already delivered. Merely logging in or accessing the course dashboard will not constitute substantial use.
Eligibility will be evaluated reasonably and consistently, based on available platform records.
2.2 Exceptions
The seven-day eligibility period and substantial-use condition do not exclude remedies available under applicable law.
Requests concerning material technical failures, incorrect charges, misrepresentation, non-delivery, or legally recognised deficiencies in services will be reviewed independently.
Where SRS cannot provide the purchased course access within a reasonable period and cannot resolve the issue, an appropriate refund or other lawful remedy will be offered.
2.3 Course Access After Refund
Where a refund is approved and processed, SRS may revoke access to the refunded paid course and its associated paid materials, subject to applicable legal requirements.
3. Guided Courses and Programmes
Guided programmes may include scheduled instructor-led sessions, research clinics, mentoring, assessments, feedback, or other personalised academic support.
3.1 Cancellation Before Commencement
A participant may request cancellation at least 48 hours before the first scheduled live session.
A full refund will ordinarily be available where substantial paid digital content has not already been consumed and no separately agreed personalised services have been delivered.
Where meaningful digital content or agreed services have already been supplied, the eligible refund may be adjusted reasonably according to the value delivered and the terms disclosed before purchase.
3.2 Cancellation After Commencement
Once the programme begins, refund eligibility will depend on:
- Sessions and services already delivered.
- Agreed programme milestones.
- Paid learning resources already substantially consumed.
- The circumstances of the cancellation.
- Applicable contractual and statutory rights.
Any deduction must be reasonable, supportable, and consistent with the terms communicated before purchase.
3.3 Cancellation by SRS
If SRS cancels a guided programme, participants will be offered a full refund for undelivered services or a suitable alternative, subject to their acceptance and applicable law.
4. Workshops, Seminars and Training Events
4.1 Participant Cancellation
Participants may request cancellation at least 24 hours before the scheduled workshop or event.
Eligible requests will ordinarily receive a full refund.
For cancellations within 24 hours of an event, SRS may apply event-specific cancellation or rescheduling conditions, provided those conditions were clearly disclosed before registration and comply with applicable law.
4.2 Rescheduling
Where feasible, SRS may offer a transfer to another workshop or session.
A participant is not required to accept a substitute where a refund is otherwise due under applicable law.
4.3 Cancellation by SRS
If SRS cancels a paid workshop or seminar, participants may choose a full refund or an available alternative session.
If SRS materially changes the date, delivery mode, or essential nature of an event, affected participants may request an appropriate refund.
5. Research Consultancy and Professional Services
SRS provides customised research-related services, including research design, methodology consulting, data analysis, academic writing and publication support, institutional research assistance, and related professional services.
These engagements may involve advance payments, defined deliverables, professional time, and milestone-based work.
5.1 Cancellation Before Work Begins
Where a client cancels before substantive work begins, SRS will ordinarily refund the amount paid, less any reasonable, previously agreed, non-recoverable expenses actually incurred.
5.2 Cancellation After Work Begins
Where work has commenced, refunds will be calculated on a milestone or proportionate-service basis.
SRS may retain reasonable amounts attributable to:
- Documented work completed.
- Contractually agreed and delivered milestones.
- Professional services already performed.
- Agreed non-recoverable third-party expenses actually incurred.
The remaining unused and refundable balance will be returned to the client.
SRS will not impose arbitrary or disproportionate cancellation charges.
5.3 Consultancy Agreements
Where applicable, individual consultancy agreements or accepted proposals should identify deliverables, fees, milestones, payment schedules, and cancellation conditions.
Any engagement-specific refund provisions must remain consistent with applicable legal requirements.
5.4 Service Deficiencies and Non-Delivery
Complaints involving deficient, materially delayed, or undelivered services will be evaluated independently of ordinary voluntary cancellation requests.
Where required, SRS will provide suitable corrective action, proportionate refunds, or other lawful remedies.
6. Duplicate Payments, Failed Transactions and Incorrect Charges
6.1 Duplicate Payments
Where a duplicate payment is verified for the same purchase or service, SRS will arrange a full refund of the duplicate amount.
6.2 Failed Transactions
If a customer’s account is debited but payment confirmation or order creation fails, SRS will assist in verifying the transaction and coordinating with the relevant payment gateway, bank, or payment service provider.
Qualifying failed electronic transactions will be subject to the applicable RBI-mandated reversal timelines and compensation rules, where relevant.
6.3 Incorrect Charges
Where SRS verifies an incorrect or excess charge, the excess amount will be refunded or otherwise corrected in accordance with applicable law.
Customers should provide relevant order or transaction details to facilitate verification.
7. Refund Requests and Processing
7.1 How to Request a Refund
Customers may submit requests to:
Email: info@smartresearchsolutions.in
Where available, please include:
- Full name and registered email address.
- Course, workshop, programme, or service purchased.
- Order number, invoice number, or transaction reference.
- Date of purchase.
- Reason for requesting cancellation or refund.
- Supporting details, where relevant.
Customers should not send card PINs, passwords, OTPs, or other sensitive payment credentials.
7.2 Review of Requests
SRS will evaluate refund requests fairly and communicate the outcome and relevant reasons.
Where further clarification is required, SRS may request additional transaction or service information.
7.3 Refund Initiation Timeline
SRS aims to initiate approved refunds within 7 working days of approval.
This timeline does not override shorter processing or reversal periods mandated by applicable law, RBI directions, or other competent authorities.
The time taken for funds to appear in the customer’s account may depend on the issuing bank, payment gateway, and payment method.
7.4 Refund Method
Refunds will ordinarily be issued to the original payment method.
Where this is not technically possible, an appropriate alternative may be arranged after necessary verification.
8. Special Circumstances
SRS recognises that exceptional circumstances may arise, including serious illness, emergencies, or unexpected disruptions affecting participation or service delivery.
Requests outside the ordinary cancellation periods may be reviewed individually.
Any discretionary refund, credit, or rescheduling arrangement does not limit rights independently available under applicable law.
9. Consumer Rights and Grievance Redressal
This policy is intended to provide transparent and fair cancellation and refund procedures.
Nothing in this policy excludes or limits rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, applicable e-commerce rules, payment-system regulations, or other relevant Indian laws.
Customers may raise unresolved refund concerns using the contact details below or through the grievance redressal mechanism published on the SRS website.
SRS will handle complaints in accordance with applicable statutory requirements.
10. Changes to This Policy
SRS may amend this policy to reflect changes in its services, operational procedures, or legal requirements.
The current version will be published on the SRS website with an updated effective date.
Changes will not retrospectively remove refund rights or agreed protections applicable to purchases already made.
11. Contact Information
Smart Research Solutions (SRS)
Sole Proprietorship of Mr. Gaurav Pattnaik
Duplex-07, Om Paradise, Mahadev Nagar, Jharpada, Bhubaneswar – 751006, Odisha, India
Email: info@smartresearchsolutions.in
Website: https://smartresearchsolutions.in
For cancellation requests, refunds, payment issues, or related concerns, please contact us using the email address above.