Privacy Policy

1. Information we collect

When you create an account and use the Platform, we collect:

• Account details — your name, phone number, email address, Class 12 graduation year, and stream.
• Verification data — one-time passwords (OTPs) sent to your phone/email to confirm your identity.
• Activity data — events you register for and attend, points earned, and certificates issued.
• Attendance data — for online sessions, whether you joined and how long you stayed.
• Technical & usage data — pages visited, device/browser information, and the marketing source (UTM parameters) that referred you, collected via analytics tools.

2. How we use your information

• To create and secure your account and verify your identity.
• To operate events — registration, reminders, calendar invites, certificates, and attendance.
• To award and display points across the Vedam ecosystem.
• To communicate with you about your account, events, and services you've engaged with.
• To understand how the Platform is used and to improve it.
• To comply with legal obligations and prevent fraud or misuse.

3. Consent

We process your personal data based on the consent you provide when you register. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us (see Section 10); withdrawing consent may limit your ability to use parts of the Platform.

4. Children and minors

The Platform is intended for students, many of whom may be under 18. In line with the DPDP Act, if you are a minor, you should use the Platform only with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian, and by registering you confirm that such consent has been obtained. We do not knowingly use children's personal data in a way that is likely to cause harm, and we do not carry out tracking, behavioural monitoring, or targeted advertising directed at children. A parent or guardian may contact us to review or delete a minor's data.

5. How we share your information

We do not sell your personal data. We share it only with trusted service providers who help us run the Platform, under appropriate safeguards:

• Hosting & database — for storing your account and activity data securely.
• SMS & email providers — to deliver OTPs, confirmations, and event communications.
• Analytics providers — to measure and improve Platform usage.
• Video conferencing — for online events and attendance.

We may also disclose data where required by law or to protect our legal rights.

6. Cookies and analytics

We use analytics tools that may set cookies or similar identifiers to understand aggregate usage and traffic sources. You can control cookies through your browser settings.

7. Data retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Platform, and thereafter only as long as required to meet legal, accounting, or reporting obligations.

8. Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures — including access controls, encryption in transit, and row-level data isolation — to protect your data. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we work to protect your information and review our practices regularly.

9. Your rights

Subject to the DPDP Act, you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you and a summary of its processing.
• Request correction or updating of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Request erasure of your data, subject to legal retention requirements.
• Withdraw consent, and nominate another person to exercise your rights in the event of death or incapacity.
• Raise a grievance with us (see below).

10. Grievances and contact

For any questions, requests, or grievances regarding your personal data, contact our Grievance Officer at connect@vedam.org. We will acknowledge and address your request within the timelines prescribed under applicable law.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be notified through the Platform. Your continued use after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.