1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Monsoon Academy website and learning platform, operated by Sustainability Transitions Research (OPC) Private Limited (hereinafter refers as “Transitions Research”).

By accessing or using the platform, creating an account, submitting an application, enrolling in a programme, or clicking/checking any box indicating acceptance, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the platform.

Where you register, apply for, or enrol in a programme, we may require you to expressly confirm your acceptance of these Terms through a checkbox, button, or other electronic acceptance mechanism.

These Terms should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information.

2. About Monsoon Academy

Monsoon Academy is a tech-enabled learning platform that delivers cohort-based fellowships for public sector officials, working professionals, and graduates in the sustainability and climate sector. It is a programme initiative of Transitions Research, a Goa-based social science research collective.

Our programmes range from foundational climate literacy to sector-specific fellowships and advanced skill tracks. Programme availability, format, and delivery partners vary by cohort and geography.

3. Eligibility and Accounts

To access course content and participate in programmes, you must create an account or be enrolled through an institutional partner.

You agree to:

• provide accurate and current information when registering;
• keep your account credentials confidential and not share them with others; and
• notify us promptly if you suspect unauthorised access to your account

Accounts are individual. You may not create an account on behalf of another person, or use someone else’s credentials to access the platform.

For participants enrolled through government bodies, public authorities, employers, or institutional partners, we may verify your eligibility, designation, official email address, nomination status, or institutional affiliation where required for enrolment, certification, reporting, or programme administration.

For issuing certificates of completion, we may request a government-issued ID or equivalent identity confirmation to verify your name and identity. This will be used only for certification-related purposes.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

4. Programme Enrolment and Participation

4.1 Enrolment

Some programmes are open to individual applicants; others are cohort-based and run through institutional partnerships (e.g. a government body or development authority). Enrolment criteria and processes vary by programme and are described at the point of application.

4.2 Participation

Monsoon Academy programmes are designed as live, interactive cohort experiences. Active participation – attending sessions, completing activities, engaging with peers is expected and contributes to your learning outcomes and eligibility for certificates.

4.3 Fees

Where a programme carries a fee, the fee amount, applicable taxes, payment terms, and refund conditions this will be clearly communicated before enrolment or payment.

Payments, where applicable, will be processed through authorised third-party payment service providers or payment gateways. We do not store complete card details or payment credentials on our systems.

Government and institutional cohorts are typically funded through partnerships or grants, or institutional arrangements. Individual enrolment fees, where applicable, will be specified for each programme.

Refunds, cancellations, and deferrals will be governed by the refund policy applicable to the relevant programme and communicated before payment is processed.

5. Platform Content and Intellectual Property

All content on the Monsoon Academy platform – including course materials, videos, readings, frameworks, assessments, and platform design – is owned by Transitions Research or its licensors, and is protected under applicable intellectual property law.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, all programme content and learning materials developed for Monsoon Academy, including content developed in collaboration with government bodies, public authorities, institutional partners, or development partners, shall vest with Transitions Research.

As a participant, you are granted a personal, limited, non-transferable licence to access and use course materials for the purpose of your own learning.

You may not:

• copy, reproduce, or distribute course content without our written permission;
• use course materials for commercial purposes;
• share login credentials or provide platform access to others; and
• modify or create derivative works from our content.

Work you produce during a programme, including assignments, reflections, and project outputs, remains yours. By participating, you grant us a non-exclusive licence to use anonymised or aggregated versions of participant work for research and programme improvement.

6. Conduct and Community Standards

Monsoon Academy cohorts bring together officials, professionals, and practitioners from diverse geographies and institutions. We expect all participants to engage with respect, intellectual honesty, and a genuine commitment to learning.

The following are not permitted on the platform or in programme sessions:

• Harassment, discrimination, or hostile behaviour towards any participant, facilitator, or staff member
• Sharing misleading information or misrepresenting your identity or affiliation
• Attempting to disrupt sessions or the platform
• Commercial solicitation or unsolicited promotion to other participants

Violations may result in removal from a programme without refund, and permanent suspension from the platform.

7. Certificates and Credentials

Certificates of completion are issued to participants who meet the attendance and participation requirements of a programme. These requirements are communicated at the start of each cohort.

Certificates issued by Monsoon Academy attest to participation and completion of a programme. They do not constitute formal academic qualifications unless explicitly stated.

We reserve the right to revoke a certificate if we determine it was obtained through dishonest means.

8. Limitation of Liability

Monsoon Academy and Transitions Research make every effort to ensure the accuracy and quality of programme content. However, the content is provided for learning purposes and should not be treated as professional, legal, financial, or regulatory advice.

To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential loss arising from your use of the platform or participation in a programme.

For paid individual programmes, our total liability will not exceed the programme fee actually paid by you, excluding taxes and third-party charges.

Nothing in these Terms limits rights or remedies that cannot be excluded under applicable law, including consumer protection laws.

We do not guarantee uninterrupted access to the platform, and may from time to time perform maintenance that affects availability.

9. Changes to Terms or Platform

We may update these Terms as the platform evolves. Material changes will be communicated to registered users by email. The date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

We may also modify, pause, or discontinue specific programmes or platform features. Where this affects an active enrollment, we will notify affected participants as early as possible.

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India.

Any dispute arising from these Terms, the Monsoon Academy platform, or participation in any programme shall first be resolved through good-faith discussions.

If unresolved within 30 days, the dispute shall be referred to arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The arbitration shall be conducted by a sole arbitrator mutually appointed by the parties. The seat and venue shall be in Goa, India, and the language shall be English. The arbitral award shall be final and binding.

Subject to arbitration, the courts of Goa, India, shall have exclusive jurisdiction, including for interim relief and enforcement.

Nothing in this clause limits any statutory rights or remedies that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms or your participation in a programme, get in touch with us directly.

Organisation	Monsoon Academy / Transitions Research
Email	hello@monsoon.academy
Website	monsoon.academy
Parent org	transitionsresearch.org