Editorial and fact-checking policy

1. Source hierarchy

Current IAPT notices, official brochures, official booklets, examination portals and official HBCSE/Olympiad pages are primary sources. Search snippets, coaching claims, social posts and forwarded messages are not treated as authority.

2. Two-document verification

Material dates, fees, eligibility rules, patterns and selection claims are checked against two official documents or official surfaces where possible. If only one current authority exists, the article says so and avoids presenting unconfirmed detail as settled fact.

3. News versus guidance

A news article reports a dated development. A guide explains an established process. Analysis interprets evidence. These labels must not be blurred simply to make an older subject appear fresh.

4. Bylines and timestamps

News pages show a responsible byline, visible publication time, modification time when applicable and links to the evidence used. Articles are not re-dated unless a substantial, disclosed update has been made.

5. AI assistance

AI tools may assist with research organisation, drafting and presentation. They are not treated as sources. Factual statements must be checked against the cited material, and the publisher remains accountable for every published claim.

6. Commercial separation

Course links, advertising, sponsorship and publisher interests must be disclosed. Promotional considerations must not determine whether an official fact is included, omitted or described positively.

7. Headlines and images

Headlines must accurately reflect the article and avoid invented urgency. Images should be original, licensed or clearly credited and must not imply endorsement by IAPT or another official organisation.

8. Corrections

Material errors are corrected promptly and logged visibly on the affected article. Minor spelling and formatting fixes may be made silently when they do not change meaning.