Return & Refund Policy 

Scope and Applicability 

This Return & Refund Policy outlines the conditions under which the Bharat Dietetic Association (BDA) will handle payments, refunds, and related requests. It applies to all transactions made to BDA through its website ( bdaorg.com ) or other official channels, including membership fees, event registrations (conferences, seminars, workshops), and purchases of digital content. By making a payment to BDA, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this policy. This policy aims to be transparent and fair, in accordance with standard practices for professional associations and applicable law. 

Membership Application Fees 

No Refunds for Membership Fees: All payments for membership applications to BDA are final and non-refundable. Once a membership application payment is processed, no refunds will be issued under any circumstances. This policy is in line with standard practice in many membership organizations, where membership dues are generally non-refundable. 

Transfer for Incorrect Membership Category: In the event you have mistakenly applied under the wrong membership category (i.e., a category for which you do not meet the eligibility criteria), BDA allows a one-time transfer of the paid membership fee to the correct category, provided: (1) you are verified to be eligible for the intended category, and (2) you notify BDA in writing within 7 days of the original payment. Upon verification of eligibility, your payment will be applied toward the appropriate membership type instead of issuing a refund. Any difference in fee between categories will be addressed by BDA (for example, additional payment may be required if the correct category has a higher fee, while no partial refunds are generally given if the correct category’s fee is lower, as membership payments are non-refundable). If a membership application is denied by BDA due to ineligibility for any membership category, BDA will communicate the available options, which may include offering an alternative membership category or other resolution in line with this policy. Once a membership is approved and activated, it is not cancellable or transferable to another person. 

Conference, Workshop, and Event Registrations 

Fees paid for BDA-organized events – such as conferences, workshops, seminars, or training sessions – are generally non-refundable and non-transferable once registration is completed. When you register for a BDA event, we commit resources and may incur costs based on expected attendance; therefore, cancellations can impact the event and other interested participants. Below are the guidelines for event-related payments: 

  • Attendee Cancellations: If you find that you cannot attend an event after registering, you must send a written cancellation request to BDA (via the contact information below) as early as possible. BDA may consider granting a refund or credit only if the cancellation request is received well in advance of the event date. For example, BDA may require notice at least several weeks prior to a conference or several days prior to a one-day workshop for any refund to be issued (e.g., some professional associations allow refunds for workshop cancellations up to 7 days before the event, and for conferences up to 30 days before the event). The specific cutoff dates and any applicable administrative fees for cancellation refunds will be stated in the event’s registration materials or announcement. If no specific cancellation deadline is stated for an event, assume that registrations are non-refundable. After the deadline (or for last-minute cancellations and no-shows), no refund will be provided and the full event fee will be forfeited, though BDA may allow you to send a substitute attendee in your place in some cases (with prior notice and approval). This policy ensures fairness to all who plan to attend and to BDA’s planning processes. 
  • Event Cancellation or Rescheduling by BDA: If BDA cancels an event, workshop, or conference in its entirety (for example, due to low enrollment, unforeseen circumstances, or public health concerns), all registrants will be notified as soon as possible and will receive a 100% refund of any registration fees paid. If an event is postponed or rescheduled by BDA, your registration will normally be transferred to the new date. If you are unable to attend on the new date, you may request a refund or credit for that event. BDA is not responsible for any additional costs you may incur related to the event (such as travel or accommodation bookings); those arrangements are made at your own risk. We recommend waiting for event confirmation and keeping flexible booking options when possible. 

Note: Certain BDA events or services might have their own refund/cancellation terms (for example, special programs or third-party partnered events). In such cases, the specific terms disclosed at the time of registration will supersede this general policy for that event. Always review event-specific Terms & Conditions if provided. 

Digital Products and Downloads 

For any digital products or online materials provided by BDA (such as e-books, downloadable publications, or online course content), all sales are considered final. Digital downloads are non-refundable. Once access to a digital product has been granted or a file has been downloaded, BDA cannot revoke the delivered content; therefore, we do not offer refunds or exchanges for any reason, including change of mind. Please review product descriptions and system requirements carefully before purchase to ensure you are ordering the correct item. 

If you experience a technical problem with a BDA digital product (for example, a file you downloaded is corrupted or you did not receive the download link), please contact us within 7 days of purchase. We will work with you to resolve the issue by providing assistance or re-delivering the product. In the rare case that a technical fault on BDA’s side renders the product unusable and cannot be rectified, BDA may, at its sole discretion, issue a refund or offer an alternative solution. However, no refund will be issued for issues arising from incompatibility with your devices or for dissatisfaction with content, absent any technical defect. 

Duplicate or Erroneous Payments 

BDA understands that duplicate payments or other payment errors can occur (for instance, accidentally submitting a payment twice or a network error causing a double charge). In such cases, the following procedure applies: 

  • Notification of Duplicate: If you suspect that you have made a duplicate payment or been overcharged for the same item, please notify BDA as soon as possible. You must request a refund for a duplicate payment within 7 days of the transaction date. Prompt notification helps us verify the transaction in our records and initiate the refund process quickly. 
  • Verification and Processing: Upon receiving your request, BDA will investigate the payment records. If a duplicate payment (or any other billing error on our part) is confirmed, we will issue a refund for the duplicate amount. The refund will be processed to the original payment method used (e.g., the same credit card or bank account) – we cannot typically issue refunds to alternate accounts for security reasons. Please allow up to 15 working days from the date of confirmation for the refunded amount to appear in your account. In many cases, refunds are completed sooner (within a week or so), but the exact timing can depend on your bank or payment provider. If you do not receive the refund after 15 working days, contact us and we will follow up to ensure it is resolved. 
  • No Interest or Additional Claims: Refunds for duplicate payments will cover only the amount of the overpayment. BDA is not responsible for any bank fees, currency differences, or interest losses that may result from the time taken to reverse a duplicate charge. 

This duplicate payment policy is intended to correct clear billing mistakes. Intentional duplicate registrations or misuse of the payment system to gain improper advantages will not be tolerated; any such cases will be handled at BDA’s discretion, and refunds may be refused if BDA determines the request is not legitimate. 

How to Request a Refund or Payment Correction 

For any issues related to payments – including refund requests, reporting a duplicate charge, or requesting a membership fee transfer – please contact BDA using one of the methods below. All refund or transfer requests should ideally be made in writing (email) so that we have a record of your request, along with any relevant details (your name, transaction date, amount, and reason for request). 

Contact Information for Payment Issues: 

  • Phone: +91 7766852275 
  • Business Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Indian Standard Time) 

Our team will acknowledge receipt of your inquiry and guide you through any additional steps or information needed to process your request. If you contact us by phone outside of business hours, you may leave a voicemail; however, for the quickest response and clear documentation, email is recommended for refund requests. We strive to respond to all payment-related inquiries within 2 business days and to resolve eligible refund requests within the timeframe noted in this policy. 

BDA’s Discretion and Final Authority 

All decisions regarding refunds, transfers, cancellations, and related matters rest with the Bharat Dietetic Association’s authorized personnel or governing body. BDA reserves the right to assess each refund or transfer request on a case-by-case basis in line with this policy. If a situation falls outside the specific scenarios outlined above, or if there is any dispute about the interpretation of this policy or the eligibility for a refund, the matter will be reviewed internally (e.g., by the BDA Executive Committee or a designated committee). BDA’s determination shall be final and binding in all refund-related disputes. By making a payment to BDA, you accept that refunds will be handled strictly as per this policy, and you waive any claims to additional refunds, chargebacks, or reimbursements except as allowed herein. 

If a member or user disagrees with a decision made by BDA under this policy, they may appeal in writing to BDA’s official email with any additional information for reconsideration. However, please note that unless new pertinent facts are presented, BDA is not obligated to overturn a decision. Frivolous or repeated disputes (for example, attempting to bypass this policy via credit card chargeback after a decision has been communicated) may result in suspension of membership or access to BDA services. We encourage open communication and will make good-faith efforts to ensure a fair outcome within the boundaries of this policy. 

Policy Updates and Legal Compliance 

This Return & Refund Policy is effective as of the date at the bottom of this page and will remain in effect until amended. BDA reserves the right to modify or update this policy at any time. Changes will be posted on the BDA website (with an updated effective date). We encourage you to review the policy periodically to stay informed of any updates. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our site, and by continuing to use BDA services or maintain your membership after such changes, you accept the revised terms. 

This policy is intended to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations. Nothing in this document is meant to limit any legal rights or remedies that may be available to you under consumer protection laws or other applicable legislation. In the event any provision of this policy is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, that provision will be removed or limited to the minimum extent necessary, and the remainder of the policy will remain in full effect. 

By making payments for BDA memberships, events, or services, you signify your agreement to this Return & Refund Policy. We are committed to transparency and fairness, and we thank you for your trust in the Bharat Dietetic Association. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact us at the email or phone number provided above.