Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Rejection Letter
I need a rejection letter to inform a candidate that they were not selected for the position they interviewed for, while expressing gratitude for their interest and encouraging them to apply for future opportunities. The tone should be professional yet empathetic, and it should include a brief mention of the competitive nature of the selection process.
What is a Rejection Letter?
A Rejection Letter is a formal written communication that declines a proposal, application, or request. In Indian business practice, these letters commonly address job applications, tender bids, loan requests, or vendor proposals - delivering the news professionally while maintaining goodwill.
Under Indian contract law, these letters help protect organizations by clearly documenting decisions and avoiding potential claims of implied acceptance. Good rejection letters acknowledge receipt, provide a clear "no," offer a brief explanation when appropriate, and sometimes keep doors open for future opportunities. Many Indian companies now use standardized rejection letter formats to ensure consistency and legal compliance.
When should you use a Rejection Letter?
Send a Rejection Letter anytime you need to formally decline a business proposal, job application, or service request in India. These letters are essential when responding to tender bids, employment applications, partnership proposals, or vendor offerings - especially if the other party has invested significant time or resources in their proposal.
Timing matters: send the Rejection Letter promptly after making your decision. This professional courtesy helps maintain business relationships and reduces legal risks under Indian contract law. For job applications specifically, a clear rejection letter helps comply with fair hiring practices and prevents misunderstandings about employment status.
What are the different types of Rejection Letter?
- Position Rejection Letter: Standard format for declining job candidates, focusing on professional courtesy and maintaining candidate relationships
- Regret Letter After Interview: More detailed rejection for interviewed candidates, often including feedback and future opportunities
- Letter Of Refusal: Formal business rejection for proposals, tenders, or partnerships, emphasizing professional relationships
- Regret Letter: Gentle rejection format for various business contexts, maintaining goodwill while clearly communicating denial
- Thank You Letter After Interview Rejection: Candidate's response to rejection, maintaining professional networks and future opportunities
Who should typically use a Rejection Letter?
- HR Managers & Recruiters: Draft and send rejection letters to job applicants, ensuring professional communication and legal compliance with Indian labor laws
- Corporate Procurement Teams: Issue formal rejections for vendor proposals and tender bids, maintaining transparency in business dealings
- Bank Officers: Communicate loan or credit application denials to individuals and businesses, following RBI guidelines
- Business Development Teams: Handle partnership proposal rejections while preserving future business opportunities
- Legal Departments: Review rejection letters for compliance and risk management, especially in high-value or sensitive situations
- Administrative Staff: Process and send standard rejection letters for routine business matters and general inquiries
How do you write a Rejection Letter?
- Review Request Details: Gather all relevant information about the original proposal, application, or request being declined
- Document Decision Basis: Note specific reasons for rejection, ensuring they align with company policies and Indian regulations
- Choose Template Type: Select appropriate rejection letter format based on situation (job application, business proposal, etc.)
- Customize Content: Adapt template to include recipient details, clear rejection statement, and brief explanation
- Check Tone: Ensure language remains professional, courteous, and free from discriminatory statements
- Final Review: Verify all details are accurate and complete before sending, maintaining copies for record-keeping
What should be included in a Rejection Letter?
- Letter Header: Company letterhead, date, reference number, and recipient's complete contact details
- Clear Statement: Unambiguous rejection language that leaves no room for misinterpretation
- Context Section: Reference to the original application, proposal, or request being declined
- Reason Statement: Brief, non-discriminatory explanation for rejection (when appropriate)
- Future Options: Optional clause about potential future opportunities or alternative solutions
- Closing Details: Authorized signatory's name, designation, and company details
- Data Protection: Statement about handling of submitted information as per Indian privacy laws
What's the difference between a Rejection Letter and an Acceptance Letter?
A Rejection Letter differs significantly from an Acceptance Letter in both purpose and legal implications. While both documents provide formal responses to proposals or applications, they create different legal obligations and business relationships.
- Purpose and Effect: Rejection Letters terminate the possibility of a formal relationship or agreement, while Acceptance Letters establish new legal obligations and commitments
- Legal Implications: Acceptance Letters can form binding contracts under Indian Contract Act, whereas Rejection Letters explicitly prevent contract formation
- Content Requirements: Rejection Letters focus on clear denial and maintaining goodwill, while Acceptance Letters must detail terms, conditions, and mutual obligations
- Follow-up Actions: Acceptance Letters typically trigger next steps and compliance requirements; Rejection Letters usually conclude the matter unless future opportunities are mentioned
- Record-keeping: Acceptance Letters require longer retention periods for legal compliance, while Rejection Letters mainly serve documentation purposes
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.