Submission Guidelines – Journal of South Asian Exchanges

1. Open Access Policy

The Journal of South Asian Exchanges is committed to promoting the principles of open access to scholarly research. Our policy ensures that all published articles are freely accessible to readers worldwide, without any subscription or access fees. All articles and book reviews published in the journal are immediately available upon publication, free of charge to the reader. Articles published in the journal are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. This allows others to share, copy, distribute, and transmit the work, provided they give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and source, and indicate if changes were made.

2. Article Processing Charge

For Indian Authors: INR 3000
For Foreign Authors: USD 50
The Article Processing Charge encompasses all publication expenses, including web hosting and administration, editorial and review processes, formatting, indexing, marketing and publicity, permanent archiving and preservation of content, DOI registration, and post-publication care. This charge will only be applied once an article is recommended for publication.
The APC will be effective from January 2025

3. Publication Policies

3.1. Aims and Scope of the Journal

The Journal of South Asian Exchanges welcomes research findings and insights on various aspects of “South Asian Studies” in selected focus areas, which are determined periodically by the Editorial Board. The journal publishes standard articles and book reviews in the following areas. Authors and readers should note that these areas of discussion require us to transcend the artificial disciplinary boundaries that were set in the previous century and embrace a broader perspective.

3.2. Subjects Covered by the Journal

Journal of South Asian Exchanges covers a wide range of subjects related to South Asia, such as but not limited to:

Sustainable Development Goals
Politics and Governance
Economics and Development
Trade Relationship
Culture and Society
History and Heritage
Religion and Spirituality
Literature and Arts
Environment and Sustainability
Security and Cooperation
Diaspora and Migration
Education and Health

Journal of South Asian Exchanges welcomes submissions from various disciplines and perspectives, such as:

Area Studies
International Relations
Comparative Politics
Development Studies
Cultural Studies
Sociology and Anthropology
History and Philosophy
Literature and Linguistics
Art and Media
Science and Engineering
Law and Human Rights
Public Health and Medicine
Education and Pedagogy

3.3. Types of Content Published in the JSAE

Research articles, review articles, book reviews, editorials, and interviews are published in the Journal of South Asian Exchanges (JSAE).

4. Editorial Policies

4.1 Peer Review Process

The Journal of South Asian Exchanges adheres to Double-Blind Peer Review process for submitted works. Our commitment is to consistently conceal the identities of both reviewers and authors from each other.
Initially, submitted articles undergo evaluation by the editors to assess their alignment with the journal’s standards and scope. Articles failing to meet the primary criteria will be promptly rejected, and the author will be notified of the decision.
If the editors find the submission satisfactory, they will engage two or more reviewers for a detailed assessment. Upon receipt of works, we promptly acknowledge their arrival. If you do not receive a response, we recommend resending the email.
Within two months, authors will receive communication regarding the decision on their submitted article, along with reviewers’ comments. The editors may provide guidance to authors for revising the article before publication.

4.2. Declaration by Author/s:

Author/s need to complete the Declaration by Author/s, print it out, sign it manually, and then scan the signed copy. They can then share the scanned document with other authors via email for their signatures. Finally, attach the scanned copy and send it to us via email.

5. Publication Policy

5.1. Publication Ethics

As a publisher, Pine Press is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly publication ethics. We diligently follow the norms and guidelines established by various scholarly societies to achieve international excellence in our publications. By continually updating our publication system, we strive to ensure quality. We encourage all stakeholders associated with our journal to adhere to the norms outlined on our website.

5.2. Authorship All published materials, including articles, book reviews, poems, and art pieces, must include proper attribution of authorship. As we operate in an online medium, it becomes the sole responsibility of the corresponding author—who initiates the submission process online—to uphold the integrity of publication ethics by adhering to the following guidelines:

5.2.1. Appropriate attribution and acknowledgement

The corresponding author should ensure

That the submitted manuscript is genuine research work produced by the author/s,
That all the other authors are made aware of the submission,
That permission is taken from other authors for publication
That the contribution of the authors is appropriately acknowledged,
That the contribution of other persons or parties, who/which add value to the work in any way is sufficiently acknowledged,
That the Conflicts of Interests document is signed properly and sent to us in time.

5.2.2. Change in Authorship

Authors can submit requests for changes to authorship to the Chief Editor. The Editorial Board of the journal retains the authority to make the final decision on such requests. Changes will be implemented only if there is a valid reason and unanimous agreement among the authors. In the event of any post-publication modifications, public notification may be issued.

5.2.3. Ghost,’ ‘guest,’ or ‘gift’ authorship We condemn the unethical practice of ‘Ghost,’ ‘guest,’ or ‘gift’ authorship (or anything that does not have any proper contribution to an article) and take appropriate steps against such practices.

5.3. Publication Process

Pine Press expects all individuals involved in the publication of journals and magazines—editors, reviewers, and website managers—to adhere rigorously to international norms. Our ongoing efforts aim to elevate the standards of our publications. We anticipate authors to demonstrate a similar level of commitment by adhering to ethical norms outlined in our guidelines. 5.3.1. Submission While submitting with our journals and magazines authors should strictly follow our guidelines. We reserve the right to take action against any of the practices mentioned blow:

Simultaneous Submission to Other Publication Agency:

We accept manuscripts with the understanding that they have not been submitted elsewhere or will not be submitted to other journals during the review process. Authors who engage in simultaneous submissions during the peer review period may face appropriate consequences.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism, a pervasive issue in scholarly circles, undermines the integrity of academic work. Authors submitting to our journal are required to demonstrate a thorough grasp of plagiarism concerns. Here are the key guidelines:

Originality: Authors must create entirely unique content. If they draw upon existing work or use others’ words, proper citation and acknowledgment are essential.
Permission and Acknowledgment: Authors should seek permission when using material from other sources. Additionally, they must acknowledge the contributions of others appropriately.
Copyright Responsibility: The journal does not initiate any process related to copyright violations. Authors bear the responsibility for ensuring compliance with copyright laws.
Defamation or Promotion We do not expect authors to include anything that may turn out to be defamatory or promotional.
Gender, Racial and Language Bias

5.3.2. Steps against Misconduct

We may take any one or all of the following steps against unethical practices:

The published content is retracted via notification.
A modified content is published with justification for modification.
The author is blacklisted and barred from future submission.
Notification along with evidences of misconduct is communicated to an author’s institution, superior, and/or any concerned authority.

5.4. Conflict of Interest

Ensuring transparency in scholarly publications is crucial, and we actively promote this principle. Authors, editors, reviewers, and all parties engaged in the publication process are urged to steer clear of conflicts of interest. 5.4.1. Authors Authors with our journals and magazines need to be careful of any kind of conflict of interest—be it financial, promotional or honorary. The corresponding author is responsible for sending us the Conflict of Interest document agreed to and signed by other authors. 5.4.2. Editors and reviewers Ensuring transparency in scholarly publications is crucial, and we actively promote this principle. Editors and reviewers of our journals and magazines play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of our publication ethics and elevating the journal’s standards. Here are the key points: Conflict of Interest (COI) Avoidance: We strongly encourage editors and reviewers to steer clear of any potential conflicts of interest while fulfilling their roles. This ensures unbiased decision-making and upholds the journal’s credibility. Guidelines and Communication: Editors and reviewers receive clear guidelines via email communication. These guidelines outline expectations and emphasize the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest. Internal COIs: Any internal conflicts of interest are handled confidentially by the Chief Editor. Privacy is maintained, and appropriate measures are taken to address such situations. Editorial Independence: The publisher ensures that editorial board members enjoy full autonomy in their scholarly duties. There is no interference from the publisher regarding editorial decisions.

6. Submission Process

We accept only electronic submissions via e-mail as attached documents. Authors are requested to preserve one copy of the soft file and send the same file as attachment to the Managing Editor at editor@saexchanges.com with a CC to the Chief Editor at chiefeditor@saexchanges.com.

6.1. Formatting

File Types: We process the following doc (text) and image files:

Text formats: MS Word 97—2007, Open Office Documents.
Image format: Jpeg.

Format of the Articles: We want authors to follow strictly the APA style (http://www.apastyle.org) while preparing the articles (Quick guidelines can be found here).

Send your submission with a proper cover letter clearly stating your submission to a particular volume and issue an agreement to the terms and conditions of the journal.
Sign up with www.orcid.org and send your ORCID ID to us.
Send mail from institutional email ID.
Include a link to your profile on your institutional website.
In the Reference section, avoid including long URLs. Use DOI whenever available. Do not keep the links in the blue underlined state. Remove the underlined state and the color.
Not to send any extra mail pressing for promotion or any degree award keeping in mind the true purpose of research and publication.

6.2. Word Limit

Journal of South Asian Exchanges accepts submissions in the following categories:

Research articles: Original, empirical, or theoretical research papers that make a significant contribution to the field of South Asian studies. Research articles should be between 6,000 and 10,000 words, including references and appendices.
Review articles: Critical and comprehensive reviews of the existing literature on a specific topic or theme related to South Asia. Review articles should be between 4,000 and 8,000 words, including references.
Book reviews: Concise and evaluative reviews of recently published books on South Asia or relevant to South Asian studies. Book reviews should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words, including references.
Commentary and opinion: Short and insightful pieces that offer a personal or professional perspective on a current or emerging issue related to South Asia. Commentary and opinion pieces should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words, including references.

Plagiarism Policy and Article Removal Policy

We strongly condemn plagiarism. If any article is discovered to be plagiarized before publication, the author will be blacklisted. Even after publication, if an article is found to be plagiarized or reported as such by anyone, we will promptly remove the article and issue a notice regarding the author’s misconduct.

Appeals and complaints

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions. If you wish to do so, kindly reach out to the Managing Editor of the journal, furnishing detailed specifics on why you believe the initial decision warrants reconsideration. Rest assured, each appeal will receive a timely response. During this process, please refrain from resubmitting your manuscript. For any grievances related to non-editorial matters, the Journal encourages you to contact us. We take complaints seriously and adhere to Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines and procedures. Appropriate sanctions will be applied if necessary.

Full Title with subtitle, if any.
An abstract of the article of not more than 250 words.
Heading, sub-headings, and illustrations should be well accommodated within the main body of the article.
Please use Endnotes and not Footnotes. Referencing must follow APA style.

Best Practices for Authors:

Send your submission with a proper cover letter clearly stating your submission to a particular volume and issue an agreement to the terms and conditions of the journal.
Sign up with www.orcid.org and send your ORCID ID to us.
Send mail from institutional email ID.
Include a link to your profile on your institutional website.
In the Reference section, avoid including long URLs. Use DOI whenever available. Do not keep the links in the blue underlined state. Remove the underlined state and the color.
Not to send any extra mail pressing for promotion or any degree award keeping in mind the true purpose of research and publication.

6.2. Word Limit

Journal of South Asian Exchanges accepts submissions in the following categories:

Research articles: Original, empirical, or theoretical research papers that make a significant contribution to the field of South Asian studies. Research articles should be between 6,000 and 10,000 words, including references and appendices.
Review articles: Critical and comprehensive reviews of the existing literature on a specific topic or theme related to South Asia. Review articles should be between 4,000 and 8,000 words, including references.
Book reviews: Concise and evaluative reviews of recently published books on South Asia or relevant to South Asian studies. Book reviews should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words, including references.
Commentary and opinion: Short and insightful pieces that offer a personal or professional perspective on a current or emerging issue related to South Asia. Commentary and opinion pieces should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words, including references.

Plagiarism Policy and Article Removal Policy

Appeals and complaints

Authors need to prepare the formatting of the articles following this Template or get it done with the help of some other agency.
If needed, we can process the formatting for a fee through a third-party agency.
Authors can also arrange for the formatting after final acceptance of their papers.

Language The journal is published in the English language and we accept both UK and US spellings. Authors should refrain from using racist and sexist terms. Visual Images We encourage authors to incorporate visual elements such as diagrams, maps, and pictures in their writings to enhance the reader’s multimedia experience. All visual images should be treated as ‘Figures,’ and if feasible, authors are requested to present these figures in a hyperlinked format. Authors should be aware that they must obtain permission from the relevant individuals or authorities before submitting visual images for reproduction. We will not be held responsible for any copyright violations committed by the authors. Authors are requested to include the following in the primary format of their articles:

Full Title with subtitle, if any.
An abstract of the article of not more than 250 words.
Heading, sub-headings, and illustrations should be well accommodated within the main body of the article.
Please use Endnotes and not Footnotes. Referencing must follow APA style.

Best Practices for Authors:

Send your submission with a proper cover letter clearly stating your submission to a particular volume and issue an agreement to the terms and conditions of the journal.
Sign up with www.orcid.org and send your ORCID ID to us.
Send mail from institutional email ID.
Include a link to your profile on your institutional website.
In the Reference section, avoid including long URLs. Use DOI whenever available. Do not keep the links in the blue underlined state. Remove the underlined state and the color.
Not to send any extra mail pressing for promotion or any degree award keeping in mind the true purpose of research and publication.

6.2. Word Limit

Journal of South Asian Exchanges accepts submissions in the following categories:

Research articles: Original, empirical, or theoretical research papers that make a significant contribution to the field of South Asian studies. Research articles should be between 6,000 and 10,000 words, including references and appendices.
Review articles: Critical and comprehensive reviews of the existing literature on a specific topic or theme related to South Asia. Review articles should be between 4,000 and 8,000 words, including references.
Book reviews: Concise and evaluative reviews of recently published books on South Asia or relevant to South Asian studies. Book reviews should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words, including references.
Commentary and opinion: Short and insightful pieces that offer a personal or professional perspective on a current or emerging issue related to South Asia. Commentary and opinion pieces should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words, including references.