Refund Policy

1. Introduction and Commitment

1.1 About This Refund Policy

This Refund Policy ("Policy") governs all refund requests, cancellations, and returns related to subscription purchases on the VidyaVriti platform operated by Kalqore Ventures ("VidyaVriti", "we", "us", "our", or "Platform").

VidyaVriti is committed to fair, transparent, and customer-centric refund practices in compliance with:

1.2 Customer-First Approach

We understand that purchasing educational services is a significant decision. Our refund policy is designed to:

1.3 Acceptance of Refund Policy

If you have questions about refund eligibility before purchasing, please contact our support team.

2. Refund Eligibility and Cooling-Off Period

2.1 Seven-Day Cooling-Off Period

VidyaVriti offers a 7-day cooling-off period from the date of subscription purchase, during which you may request a full refund if you are dissatisfied with the service.

This cooling-off period is designed to give you adequate time to evaluate whether VidyaVriti meets your exam preparation needs.

2.2 Full Refund Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible for a full refund if ALL of the following conditions are met:

2.3 Partial Eligibility (Technical Issues)

If you have exceeded 3 tests but experienced genuine technical issues preventing platform access:

• You must report the technical issue to our support team within 48 hours of occurrence
• Provide detailed evidence: error messages, screenshots, browser/device information
• Our technical team will verify the issue was platform-related (not user device/internet)
• If verified, you may be eligible for: Full refund, OR Subscription extension equal to downtime period (your choice)

2.4 Consumer Rights Under Indian Law

This refund policy is designed to comply with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which provides consumers the right to:

3. Non-Refundable Situations

3.1 Situations Where Refunds Are NOT Granted

Refunds will NOT be provided in the following circumstances:

• Late Requests: Refund request submitted more than 7 calendar days after purchase
• Substantial Usage: More than 3 practice tests have been accessed
• Content Downloaded: AI feedback reports, scorecards, or analytics have been downloaded
• Change of Mind: User simply changed their mind or decided not to pursue exam preparation
• Dissatisfaction with Difficulty: User finds tests too difficult, too easy, or not aligned with personal expectations
• Subjective Complaints: Dissatisfaction with question quality, AI recommendations, or interface design (subjective preferences)
• Poor Exam Performance: User performed poorly in actual exams and believes the platform did not help (educational outcomes are NOT guaranteed)
• Misunderstood Features: User misunderstood subscription features or duration (feature descriptions are clearly provided before purchase)
• Subscription Expiry: Subscription has expired or is nearing expiry
• User Device/Internet Issues: Technical problems caused by user's device, operating system, browser, or internet connection
• Terms Violation: Account has been suspended or terminated for violating Terms and Conditions
• Duplicate Purchases: User accidentally purchased multiple subscriptions (contact support for resolution, not automatic refund)
• Partial Refunds for Unused Time: No pro-rated refunds for unused portion of subscription period after 7 days
• Third-Party Payment Fees: Bank charges, payment gateway fees, or GST amounts are non-refundable
• Promotional/Discounted Subscriptions: Some heavily discounted promotional subscriptions may have "no refund" terms explicitly stated at purchase

3.2 Educational Outcomes Disclaimer

VidyaVriti does NOT guarantee:

• Improved exam scores or performance
• Admission to any educational institution
• Success in competitive examinations
• Specific performance improvements

Educational outcomes depend on multiple factors including:

• Student effort, dedication, and study consistency
• Prior knowledge and academic foundation
• Test-taking skills and exam strategy
• Actual exam difficulty and competition levels
• Factors beyond VidyaVriti's control

3.3 Refund Abuse and Fraud Prevention

VidyaVriti monitors for patterns of refund abuse, including:

Users found engaging in refund abuse will:

• Have refund request denied
• Face account suspension or permanent ban
• Be ineligible for future refunds
• Be reported to payment gateways and financial institutions
• Face potential legal action for fraud

4. How to Request a Refund

4.1 Refund Request Process

To request a refund within the 7-day cooling-off period:

4.2 Alternative Refund Request Channels

You may also request refunds through:

• Support Portal: Log into your account and submit a refund request via "Help" or "Support" section
• Phone Support: Call during business hours (Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM IST)
• Grievance Redressal Officer: For unresolved issues, contact Ankit at ankit@kalqore.ventures

4.3 Information Required for Refund Processing

To avoid delays, ensure your refund request includes all required information. Incomplete refund requests will be returned with a request for additional information, causing delays.

5. Refund Processing Timeline

5.1 Verification and Approval Timeline

After receiving your refund request:

• Acknowledgment: Within 24–48 hours (email confirmation that request received)
• Eligibility Verification: 3–5 business days (checking usage logs, download history, purchase date)
• Decision Notification: Within 5 business days (approval or denial email)

5.2 Refund Initiation Timeline

Once refund is approved:

5.3 Refund Credit Timeline by Payment Method

Time for refund to appear in your account depends on original payment method:

Important Notes:

• Timeline starts from the date VidyaVriti initiates the refund, not from request date
• Bank processing times are beyond VidyaVriti's control
• Card refunds appear as credits on your card statement (not cash deposits)
• Refund reference number will be provided for tracking

5.4 Total End-to-End Refund Timeline

Complete refund process from request to bank credit:

• Best Case: 10–15 business days (UPI/wallet + fast verification)
• Typical Case: 14–20 business days (card payment + standard verification)
• Maximum Case: 25–30 business days (complex cases requiring additional verification)

5.5 Failed Transaction Refunds

For failed transactions where payment was debited but subscription not activated:

6. Refund Amount and Deductions

6.1 Full Refund Amount

If your refund request is approved within the 7-day cooling-off period and you meet all eligibility criteria, you will receive a full refund of the subscription amount paid.

Example:

• Subscription purchased: ₹1,000 (before GST)
• GST (18%): ₹180
• Total paid: ₹1,180
• Refund amount: ₹1,180 (full amount including GST)

6.2 GST Refund

Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid on subscriptions is refunded along with the subscription amount.

6.3 Non-Refundable Charges

The following charges (if applicable) are NOT refunded:

6.4 Refund for Upgraded Subscriptions

If you upgraded from a shorter to longer subscription and request refund:

Example:

• Original subscription: ₹500 (1 month) purchased 20 days ago
• Upgraded to: ₹2,400 (6 months) 5 days ago
• Pro-rated credit applied: ₹250
• Amount paid for upgrade: ₹2,150
• Refundable amount: ₹2,150 (if eligible within 7 days of upgrade)

6.5 Partial Refunds Not Available

VidyaVriti does NOT offer partial or pro-rated refunds for:

• Unused portion of subscription period after 7-day window
• Canceling subscription mid-cycle
• Changing exam categories or subscription plans

7. Subscription Cancellation vs Refund

7.1 Difference Between Cancellation and Refund

Cancellation: Terminating your subscription so that it does not renew in the future. You retain access until the current paid period expires. No refund is provided.

7.2 When to Cancel Instead of Requesting Refund

Choose cancellation if:

• You are beyond the 7-day refund window
• You have used more than 3 tests
• You want to finish using the service until subscription expires
• You do not want auto-renewal but will use remaining time

How to cancel subscription:

7.3 Refund Automatically Cancels Subscription

If your refund request is approved:

• Your subscription is immediately terminated
• Access to paid features is revoked
• Account reverts to Free Tier
• All data remains intact (test history, performance analytics) as per data retention policy
• You may purchase a new subscription in the future

8. Special Refund Situations

8.1 Technical Issues and Service Deficiency

If you experience genuine technical issues preventing platform access:

Service deficiency under Consumer Protection Act may include:

• Platform unavailable for extended periods (>24 hours continuously)
• Critical features not functioning as advertised
• Complete inability to access purchased services
• Data loss due to platform errors

8.2 Unfulfilled Service Promises

If VidyaVriti fails to deliver services as explicitly described at the time of purchase:

• Example: Subscription advertised access to "all JEE question banks" but content is unavailable
• Example: AI feedback feature advertised but not functional

You have the right to:

• Request immediate resolution and service delivery
• Request full refund if service cannot be delivered within reasonable time (14 days)
• File complaint with consumer forum if unresolved

8.3 Duplicate or Accidental Purchases

If you accidentally purchased:

• Multiple subscriptions for the same account
• Wrong subscription plan or duration
• Subscription while one is already active

Contact support immediately:

• Subject: "Duplicate Purchase - [Transaction ID]"
• Provide both transaction IDs if applicable

Resolution options:

• Refund of duplicate purchase (if reported within 48 hours)
• Merge subscriptions (extend duration)
• Transfer to different account (with verification)

8.4 Fraudulent or Unauthorized Transactions

If your card/account was charged without your authorization:

8.5 VidyaVriti-Initiated Refunds

VidyaVriti may proactively initiate refunds in the following situations:

• Service Discontinuation: If we discontinue your exam category or major features mid-subscription
• Extended Downtime: Platform unavailable for an extended period continuously
• Data Breach: If your payment data is compromised due to our security failure
• Billing Errors: If you were overcharged or charged incorrectly
• Policy Violation by VidyaVriti: If we breach our own terms or policies

9. Refund Denials and Appeals

9.1 Reasons for Refund Denial

Your refund request may be denied if:

• Request submitted after 7-day cooling-off period
• More than 3 practice tests accessed
• Content downloaded (AI reports, scorecards, analytics)
• Account has Terms and Conditions violations
• Technical issues are user-side (device, internet, browser incompatibility)
• Refund request is based on subjective dissatisfaction (difficulty, quality opinions)
• Evidence of refund abuse or fraudulent claims
• Insufficient information provided despite follow-up requests
• Original payment method details incorrect or inaccessible

9.2 Refund Denial Notification

If your refund request is denied, you will receive email notification including:

• Clear explanation of denial reason(s)
• Specific policy provisions applicable
• Evidence or data supporting denial (e.g., usage logs showing 10 tests accessed)
• Alternative options (if available)
• Instructions for filing an appeal
• Grievance Redressal Officer contact information

9.3 Appealing a Refund Denial

If you believe your refund was wrongfully denied, you may file an appeal:

9.4 Escalation to Consumer Forums

If you remain dissatisfied after the appeals process, you have the right to escalate to consumer dispute resolution forums:

10. Chargebacks and Payment Disputes

10.1 Chargeback Definition

A chargeback is when you dispute a charge with your bank or card issuer, and they reverse the payment directly without VidyaVriti's approval.

10.2 Chargebacks Without Prior Contact

If you initiate a chargeback or payment dispute with your bank WITHOUT first contacting VidyaVriti:

• Your account will be immediately suspended pending investigation
• Access to all services (including Free Tier) will be revoked
• VidyaVriti will provide evidence to payment gateway and bank demonstrating:
  • Service was delivered as described
  • Terms and Conditions were accepted
  • Usage logs showing platform access
  • Refund policy was clearly disclosed

Consequences if chargeback is ruled in VidyaVriti's favor:

• Your account remains permanently suspended
• You may be liable for chargeback fees (₹500–₹1,500 typically)
• You may be reported to payment gateways and financial institutions
• Legal action may be pursued for fraudulent chargebacks

10.3 When Chargebacks Are Appropriate

Chargebacks should ONLY be initiated if:

• You contacted VidyaVriti support and received no response within 30 days
• VidyaVriti refused to process a legitimate refund
• You were charged for services never delivered
• Fraudulent or unauthorized charge and VidyaVriti is unresponsive

10.4 Chargeback Investigation Process

If a chargeback is filed:

11. Alternative Remedies to Refunds

11.1 Subscription Extensions

If you experienced service disruptions or technical issues, instead of a refund, you may be offered a subscription extension equal to the downtime period.

Example:

• Platform was unavailable for 5 days due to server issues
• You receive a 5-day extension added to your subscription
• Access continues beyond original expiry date

Advantages of subscription extension:

• Retains access to all features and content
• No loss of progress or test history
• Simple processing (no bank refund delays)

11.2 Subscription Upgrades with Credit

If you are dissatisfied with your current subscription tier, you may be offered an upgrade to a longer duration with credit instead of a refund.

Example:

• Purchased 1-month subscription (₹1,000) 5 days ago
• Not satisfied, request refund
• Alternative: Upgrade to 6-month subscription (₹5,000) with ₹1,000 credit
• Pay only ₹4,000 for 6-month access

This option is available only if:

• Request made within 7-day cooling-off period
• You have not accessed more than 3 tests
• Upgrade provides better value than refund

11.3 Exam Category Transfer

If you purchased subscription for wrong exam category (e.g., purchased JEE subscription but preparing for NEET), you may be offered category transfer instead of refund:

11.4 Account Credit for Future Use

In exceptional cases, VidyaVriti may offer account credit instead of cash refund:

12. Partner Exam Center Refunds

12.1 Separate Refund Obligations

VidyaVriti subscriptions and partner exam center fees are completely separate:

VidyaVriti is NOT responsible for:

• Refunds of fees paid to partner exam centers
• Partner center refund policies or timelines
• Issues with partner center services or test administration

12.2 Result Ingestion Refund Policy

Result ingestion from partner centers is included in your VidyaVriti subscription at no additional cost. If you do not receive results from a partner center:

12.3 Disputes with Partner Centers

For refund requests related to partner exam centers:

• Contact the partner center directly
• Review partner center's refund policy and terms
• VidyaVriti cannot intervene in partner center refund disputes

For issues with result data accuracy or processing:

• Contact VidyaVriti support if you believe results were incorrectly ingested
• We will verify data received from partner center
• If error is on VidyaVriti's side, appropriate remedy will be provided

13. Tax Implications of Refunds

13.1 GST Refund Handling

When a refund is processed:

• Full amount including GST is refunded to you
• VidyaVriti reverses the GST entry in our tax filings
• GST credit is reclaimed from government
• No tax burden on customer for refunded amounts

GST refund compliance:

• Refunds are reported in VidyaVriti's GST returns
• Credit notes issued for refunded transactions
• Full GST compliance maintained

13.2 TDS and Income Tax Considerations

For individual users (students):

• Subscription payments are typically not subject to TDS
• Refunds have no income tax implications

For institutional or corporate purchases:

• TDS may have been deducted on original payment
• Refund amount will be net of TDS deducted
• TDS certificates (Form 16A) remain valid for amounts actually paid

13.3 Retention of Tax Records

VidyaVriti retains all refund transaction records for 7 years as required under Income Tax Act, 1961, and GST regulations. This includes original payment invoices, refund transaction details, credit notes issued, and GST refund documentation.

14. Data Retention After Refund

14.1 Account Data Retention

When a refund is processed and subscription is terminated, your VidyaVriti account is NOT automatically deleted:

If you want to delete your account:

• Use "Delete Account" option in profile settings, OR
• Contact Grievance Redressal Officer
• Account deletion subject to data retention policy (48-hour notice, 72-hour completion)

14.2 Financial Data Retention

Refund transaction records are retained for 7 years regardless of account deletion, including payment details, refund processing records, correspondence related to refund, and invoice and credit note copies.

This retention is mandated by:

• Income Tax Act, 1961
• GST regulations
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

14.3 Data Subject Rights

Even after refund, you retain all data subject rights under DPDP Act:

15. Contact Information for Refund Requests

15.1 Refund Support

For refund requests, questions, or status updates:

• Email: refunds@vidyavriti.com or support@vidyavriti.com
• Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM IST

Response time:

• Refund request acknowledgment: 24–48 hours
• Eligibility verification and decision: 3–5 business days
• Refund initiation: 7–10 business days (after approval)

15.2 Grievance Redressal Officer

For unresolved refund disputes, appeals, or complaints:

15.3 Registered Office

Kalqore Ventures (VidyaVriti)

15.4 Escalation Path

If your refund issue is not resolved satisfactorily:

16. Policy Updates and Modifications

16.1 Right to Modify Refund Policy

VidyaVriti reserves the right to modify this Refund Policy at any time to reflect:

16.2 Notification of Changes

Material changes to this Refund Policy will be communicated via:

16.3 Grandfathering of Existing Subscriptions

If refund policy becomes more restrictive:

• Subscriptions purchased before the change remain eligible under old policy
• New policy applies only to subscriptions purchased after effective date

If refund policy becomes more generous:

• All active subscriptions benefit from improved terms immediately

17. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

17.1 Applicable Law

This Refund Policy and all refund transactions are governed by the laws of India, including:

17.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising from refund requests shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts located in Bangalore, India. You irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of these courts for refund-related disputes.

17.3 Informal Resolution Encouraged

Before initiating legal proceedings, we encourage:

18. Acknowledgment and Acceptance

By purchasing a subscription on VidyaVriti, you acknowledge that:

19. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

19.1 General Refund Questions

Q1: What is the refund window?

A: 7 calendar days from the date of subscription purchase.

Q2: Can I get a refund after 7 days?

A: No, unless you experienced genuine technical issues preventing platform access that were verified by our team, or VidyaVriti failed to deliver services as described (consumer protection grounds).

Q3: How many tests can I take and still be eligible for refund?

A: Maximum 3 practice tests.

Q4: Are AI feedback reports and scorecards counted?

A: If you download AI reports or scorecards, you are no longer eligible for refund, even if you accessed fewer than 3 tests.

Q5: Will I get my full money back?

A: Yes, including GST. However, third-party charges (payment gateway fees, bank charges) are non-refundable.

19.2 Refund Process Questions

Q6: How do I request a refund?

A: Email support@vidyavriti.com with your user ID, transaction ID, and refund reason.

Q7: How long does refund processing take?

A: 3–5 days for verification + 7–10 days for refund initiation + 1–10 days for bank credit = approximately 17–25 business days typically.

Q8: Can I track my refund status?

A: Yes, contact support with your refund request reference number for status updates.

Q9: What if my refund was denied?

A: You will receive email explaining denial reasons. You may file an appeal with Grievance Redressal Officer.

19.3 Technical and Special Situations

Q10: What if I had technical issues?

A: Report issues within 48 hours with evidence (screenshots, error messages). Our team will verify and may approve refund even beyond 7 days.

Q11: What if I bought the wrong subscription by mistake?

A: Contact support within 48 hours. We may offer subscription transfer or refund.

Q12: Can I get a partial refund for unused time?

A: No, partial or pro-rated refunds are not available after 7-day window.

Q13: What if payment was debited but subscription not activated?

A: Payment gateway will automatically refund within 5–7 days. If not, contact support with transaction details.

19.4 Alternative Options

Q14: Can I get subscription extension instead of refund?

A: Yes, if you experienced service disruptions, we may offer extension equal to downtime period.

Q15: Can I transfer my subscription to another account?

A: No, subscriptions are non-transferable. However, you may request exam category change within 7 days.

Q16: What happens to my account after refund?

A: Account remains active in Free Tier. Test history and data are retained unless you request account deletion.

20. Effective Date and Version

This Refund Policy is effective from April 1, 2026.