Correction, Retraction & Withdrawal Policy

The Indian Journal of Climate & Environmental Studies (IJCEMS) maintains the highest standards of publication integrity and transparency.
We recognize that scholarly work may occasionally require correction or withdrawal to protect the integrity of the academic record.
This policy outlines the procedures for corrections, retractions, and withdrawals in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.

1. General Principle

Once an article is published, it becomes part of the permanent scientific record.
However, if errors or ethical issues are discovered post-publication, IJCEMS ensures that appropriate action is taken promptly and transparently, without compromising the integrity of the journal or the credibility of its contributors.

2. Types of Post-Publication Actions

a. Corrections (Errata or Corrigenda)

A correction is issued when:

• Minor errors are identified that do not alter the main findings or conclusions of the paper.
  
  

• Examples include author name misspellings, minor data misstatements, or small typographical errors.
  
  

Process:

• Authors should email 📧 ijces.india@gmail.com with “Correction Request – [Paper ID]” in the subject line.
  
  

• The editorial team will verify and, if appropriate, publish a Correction Notice linked directly to the original article.
  
  

• The corrected version will be re-uploaded to Google Sites, and the DOI metadata will be updated via Zenodo.
  
  

• A timestamped note indicating “Revised on [Date]” will appear on the article.
  
  

b. Retractions

A retraction is issued when:

• Significant ethical or methodological issues are found, such as plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or unethical research conduct.
  
  

• The main findings are proven unreliable due to serious errors, misconduct, or data manipulation.
  
  

Process:

• Retraction may be initiated by the author(s), editor, reviewer, or an external whistleblower.
  
  

• Upon receipt of a complaint, the Editor-in-Chief initiates an internal review following COPE flowcharts.
  
  

• If misconduct is confirmed, the paper will be formally retracted, and a Retraction Notice will be published on the journal website.
  
  

• The original paper will remain accessible for transparency but will be clearly watermarked as “RETRACTED” in both PDF and HTML formats.
  
  

• The DOI will remain active and linked to the retraction notice for scholarly traceability.
  
  

c. Withdrawals (Pre-Publication)

A withdrawal occurs when:

• The author requests removal before publication (e.g., duplicate submission, authorship dispute, or withdrawal of consent).
  
  

• Withdrawal after peer review but before publication requires a formal written request and a valid reason.
  
  

Important:
Authors are requested to email 📧 ijces.india@gmail.com with “Manuscript Withdrawal Request – [Paper ID]” as the subject.
Once accepted for publication, withdrawal is generally not permitted unless severe ethical reasons exist.
Repeated withdrawals without justification may result in future submission restrictions.

3. Communication and Timeframe

• Authors will be notified of all post-publication decisions.
  
  

• If a correction, retraction, or withdrawal is approved, the relevant notice will be published within 10–15 working days of decision confirmation.
  
  

• The entire process will be handled via email, and the paper’s Tracking ID (provided after submission) must be mentioned in all correspondence.
  
  

4. Third-Party Notifications

If an external institution, reviewer, or reader identifies an issue, IJCEMS encourages prompt reporting.
Notifications should be sent to 📧 ijces.india@gmail.com with full details and supporting documentation.
All allegations will be investigated confidentially and professionally.

5. DOI and Repository Updates

Since IJCEMS uses Zenodo for assigning and managing DOIs:

• Any correction or retraction will result in an updated DOI record on Zenodo with a clear label (e.g., “Version 2 – Corrected” or “Retracted”).
  
  

• All prior versions remain visible for transparency but are appropriately tagged.
  
  

6. Transparency and Accountability

Each correction or retraction notice will:

• Be clearly labeled (Correction / Retraction).
  
  

• State the reason for the change.
  
  

• Include the date of issue.
  
  

• Be freely accessible to all readers without login or paywall.
  
  

We believe that transparent corrections protect both the author’s credibility and the scientific record.

7. Ethical Commitment

IJCEMS is guided by COPE principles and promotes responsible correction and retraction practices.
Our goal is not to penalize authors for honest errors but to maintain the trust of the scientific community.
All actions are taken with fairness, transparency, and integrity.

For any post-publication issues, contact:
📧 ijces.india@gmail.com
Subject: Correction/Retraction/Withdrawal – [Paper ID]