Cookie Policy

Last updated: [02/09/2026]

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how the Centre for Indic Cultural and Social Studies (“CICSS”, “we”, “us”, “our”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website at cicsindus.org (the “Website”), and the choices available to you regarding these technologies.

This Cookie Policy should be read together with our [Privacy Policy], which explains more broadly how we collect and use personal data.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, work more efficiently, and to provide information to the owners of the site. Cookies may be:

  • Session cookies – temporary, deleted when you close your browser.
  • Persistent cookies – remain on your device for a set period, or until manually deleted.
  • First-party cookies – set directly by our Website.
  • Third-party cookies – set by services embedded in or linked from our Website (such as Google Analytics).

3. Cookies We Use

Category Purpose Example Cookies Set By Duration
Strictly Necessary Required for the Website to function properly — e.g., basic navigation, security, remembering cookie consent preferences, WordPress core session handling. wordpress_*, wp-settings-*, cookie-consent preference cookie CICSS (first-party) Session to 1 year
Analytics / Performance Help us understand how visitors use the Website — pages visited, time on site, referral source, approximate location — so we can improve content and navigation. Data is generally reported in aggregate/anonymised form. _ga, _ga_*, _gid, _gat Google Analytics (third-party) Up to 24 months (_ga), 24 hours (_gid)
Functional Remember choices you make (such as search preferences) to provide enhanced, more personal features. CICSS / plugin providers Varies
Third-Party / Social If you interact with social media icons or embedded content (e.g. YouTube videos, if used), those third parties may set their own cookies to track engagement. e.g. YouTube (VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE), Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram Respective third-party platforms Varies by provider

Note: The exact cookie names above are illustrative of what Google Analytics (GA4) and WordPress typically set. This table should be verified against a live cookie scan of the Website and updated to reflect the actual cookies in use, including any set by embedded social media widgets, contact form plugins, or a cookie-consent tool once installed.

4. Why We Use These Cookies

  • To keep the Website secure and functioning correctly;
  • To remember your cookie consent preferences;
  • To understand how visitors find and use the Website (via Google Analytics), so we can improve our content, navigation, and the experience of researchers, students, and readers visiting the site;
  • To allow social sharing/follow functionality where applicable.

We do not use cookies for behavioural advertising, ad targeting, or to sell your data to advertisers.

5. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are placed by third-party services that appear on our Website:

  • Google Analytics (Google LLC) — used to analyse Website traffic and usage patterns. Google’s use of data collected via Analytics is governed by Google’s own privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy. You can learn more about Google Analytics cookies at https://policies.google.com/technologies/cookies, and opt out of Google Analytics tracking across websites using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
  • Social media platforms (Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram) — our footer/site includes links and, where applicable, embedded content from these platforms. If you click through to or interact with embedded content from these platforms, they may set their own cookies in accordance with their own privacy and cookie policies, which we do not control.

6. Your Cookie Choices

You have several ways to control or limit cookies:

  • Cookie consent banner: [If/when a consent banner is installed on the Website, insert details here — e.g. “On your first visit, you will be shown a cookie banner where you can accept, reject, or customise non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time via the ‘Cookie Settings’ link in the footer.”]
  • Browser settings: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings, including blocking or deleting cookies. Instructions vary by browser:
    • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies
    • Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
    • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
    • Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions
  • Google Analytics opt-out: install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on (link above) to prevent your data from being used by Google Analytics on any website you visit.

Please note that blocking or deleting certain cookies (particularly strictly necessary ones) may affect the functionality of the Website.

7. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies and technologies we use, or for legal or regulatory reasons. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates when it was last revised.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us at:

Centre for Indic Cultural and Social Studies, Indus University Rancharda, Near Shilaj Via Thaltej, Ahmedabad – 382115, Gujarat, India Email: socialstudies@indusuni.ac.in

This document is a template and should be verified against an actual cookie scan of the live Website and reviewed by a qualified legal professional before publication.