Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.

• Cover Letter addressed to the Editor, including the names and contact details of at least two potential reviewers (national or international) with expertise in the relevant field.
• Manuscript File (Blinded) in Microsoft Word format, prepared according to the Instructions to Authors. The manuscript should be double-spaced, in 12-point font, with figures and tables embedded within the text at appropriate locations.
• Title Page (separate file) including full names, affiliations, email addresses, and contact details of all authors, along with the corresponding author clearly identified.
• Author Checklist completed by the corresponding author on behalf of all co-authors (template available in the submission menu).
• Authorship & Contribution / Undertaking Form signed by all authors (template available in the submission menu).
• Ethical Approval Letter (IRB/ERC) from the relevant institutional review board. For multi-center or regional/national studies, approval from the appropriate higher regulatory bodies is required.
• Conflict of Interest Statement (to be included in the manuscript).
• AI Disclosure form (template available in the submission menu) signed by the corresponding author on behalf of all co-authors. In addition, a statement must be provided in the manuscript file, prepared in accordance with the AI Disclosure form.
• Proof of Initial Processing Fee Payment (Rs. 1500 or USD 10; non-refundable), payable via bank transfer.