What is Reader's Digest
Overview
Reader's Digest is a monthly magazine that publishes a mix of human-interest stories, health and lifestyle tips, humor and short features for general readers in India.
Subscriptions are available in print and digital formats and are sold through multiple channels including the publisher's subscription service, app stores and third-party platforms.
Subscription models
Plans include single-issue purchases, monthly digital subscriptions, and annual print or digital bundles with occasional promotional gifts.
Pricing and included gifts vary by channel and offer period; confirm the exact plan at purchase.
How to cancel Reader's Digest
Cancel by email (publisher / India Today Group)
- Write a cancellation request and send it to [email protected].
- Include your subscription details: name, subscription number or order ID, registered email, mobile number and reason (optional).
- Keep a copy of the sent email and any reply as proof of request.
Cancel via app stores and platforms
- Apple (iOS): Open Apple Account Settings → Subscriptions → select Reader's Digest India → turn off auto‑renew at least 24 hours before period end.
- Google Play: Open Google Play Store → Menu → Subscriptions → select the Reader's Digest subscription → Cancel subscription. The subscription remains active until period end.
- Magzter (digital via Magzter): Contact Magzter support ([email protected]) within relevant refund window for cancellations and refund requests.
What happens when you cancel
Access and delivery
When you cancel a recurring subscription, access typically continues until the end of the paid period.
For print subscriptions, delivery generally stops after the last serviced issue unless otherwise stated in the confirmation.
Auto‑renewal and account data
Turning off auto‑renew prevents future billing but does not always provide a mid‑period refund; check the channel's terms.
Your account data (purchase history, email) may be retained by the provider for service and record keeping.
Will I get a refund?
Publisher (India Today Group) refund policy
Pro‑rata refunds are offered for un‑serviced issues; the monetary value of any free gifts already dispatched will be deducted.
Refunds are processed within approximately 4 - 6 weeks. Customers may be responsible for any bank or processing fees.
Platform‑specific refund rules and exceptions
- Apple (iOS): Cancelling in the App Store stops auto‑renewal; current period is not refunded by Apple in most cases.
- Google Play: Cancellation stops future renewals; the subscription remains active until period end and automatic refunds are not guaranteed.
- Magzter: May offer a full refund if requested within 7 days of subscription start (contact [email protected]).
Reader's Digest plans and pricing
Pricing summary
The table below lists common published prices across channels. Verify price at checkout for your chosen channel and promotion.
Prices are indicative and may change during offers or promotions.
| Plan | Price | Period | Features |
| Digital e‑magazine via Readwhere | ₹100 per issue / ₹1,200 per 12 months | monthly / annual | Digital edition, offline download, monthly issues |
| Print yearly subscription (Deepawali offer) | ₹549 (12 issues, incl. postage) | annual | Physical print, includes a free watch and three surprise gifts |
| App Store - 1 Year Digital Subscription (iOS) | ₹1,200 or ₹599 or ₹369 (depending on in‑app offer) | annual | Access via Reader's Digest India iOS app |
| Single issue (newsstand) | ₹125 per issue (approx.) | Single issue | Physical print at newsstand |
Your consumer rights in India
Cooling‑off and statutory rights
There is generally a 14‑day cooling‑off period for certain e‑commerce transactions, but magazine subscriptions do not always fall under this mandatory refund requirement.
Subscription refund and cancellation rights depend primarily on the provider's stated policy and the terms at purchase.
Enforcement and escalation
If you face delayed delivery or refund denial, you can escalate through consumer grievance channels such as consumer forums or consumer courts.
Keep proof of purchase, correspondence and delivery records to support any formal complaint or claim.
Customer experiences
Reported negative experiences
Some subscribers have reported long periods of non‑delivery (for example, paying for one year and receiving very few issues) with slow or no response from customer support.
Other complaints include delayed starts, duplicate deliveries and unresolved refund or delivery issues over several months.
Positive and neutral notes
Many customers receive timely issues and satisfactory service when using the official subscription channels and managing auto‑renewals correctly.
Responses and refund processing times can vary by channel; following the documented cancellation steps and retaining evidence improves outcomes.
Documentation checklist
Essential items to include
- Subscription name and subscriber name.
- Order number or subscription ID and purchase date.
- Registered email, phone number and postal address.
Supporting documents
- Payment receipts, order confirmation and screenshots of subscription status.
- Copies of emails or messages sent to [email protected] or platform support tickets.
Common mistakes
Failing to keep proof
Many subscribers forget to save order confirmations and cancellation emails; this makes escalation harder if issues arise.
Always keep copies of sent emails, replies and payment receipts for at least the subscription period plus a few months.
Cancel timing and auto‑renewal assumptions
Turning off auto‑renew less than 24 hours before the renewal date can still trigger a renewal, especially for App Store subscriptions.
Assuming immediate refunds after cancellation is a common error; many refunds are pro‑rata and processed within weeks or applied to future credits.
Comparative recap
Quick method comparison
The table below summarizes key cancellation and refund points across common channels to help you choose the right route.
| Method | How to cancel | Refund | Period |
| Web (India Today Group) | Send written request to [email protected] with subscription details. | Pro‑rata refund for un‑serviced issues; gifts deducted; 4 - 6 weeks processing. | annual |
| Reader's Digest subscription page (renewals) | Use the subscription management options marked "Cancel anytime" on the subscription page. | Refund after deduction for serviced copies and delivered gifts. | annual |
| Apple App Store (iOS) | Manage via Apple Account Settings → Subscriptions → turn off auto‑renew. | No mid‑period refund by default; cancellation prevents next renewal. | annual |
| Google Play | Open Google Play → Menu → Subscriptions → Cancel subscription. | Active until period end; refunds not automatically granted. | monthly / annual |
| Magzter | Contact Magzter support ([email protected]) for cancellations and refund requests. | May offer full refund if requested within 7 days of subscription start. | annual |
After cancelling
What to monitor
Check your bank or card statement for any refund credited and confirm the amount matches the pro‑rata calculation.
Monitor email for a confirmation of cancellation and any refund processing notice from the provider.
Further steps if problems persist
If you do not receive a response or refund within the stated time, resend your request and escalate to a higher support contact or grievance officer at the publisher.
As a last resort, consider filing a complaint with consumer forums or the relevant consumer protection authority with all supporting documents.
Address
Registered office (for postal correspondence)
A‑61, Sector 57, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301, India
Use this address for formal postal communications if you prefer registered mail over email for cancellation requests.
Email contact
Primary cancellation email: [email protected] - include subscription details and keep copies of all correspondence.
If you used an app store or platform, also follow that platform's cancellation flow and retain confirmations from that platform.