Privacy Policy

Last updated: [02/09/2026]

1. Introduction

The Centre for Indic Cultural and Social Studies (“CICSS”, “the Centre”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is a research and academic centre at Indus University. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit our website at cicsindus.org (the “Website”), including when you use our contact form, subscribe to our newsletter, or otherwise interact with us online.

By using the Website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use the Website.

This policy is written to align with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) and the Information Technology Act, 2000 and its rules, and, where relevant, with general international privacy practices for visitors accessing the Website from outside India.

2. Who We Are

Centre for Indic Cultural and Social Studies (CICSS), Indus University Rancharda, Near Shilaj Via Thaltej, Ahmedabad – 382115, Gujarat, India

Email: socialstudies@indusuni.ac.in

For the purposes of applicable data protection law, CICSS (through Indus University) acts as the Data Fiduciary (data controller) in respect of personal data collected through the Website.

3. Information We Collect

a. Information You Provide Directly
  • Contact form (available on our Contact page): when you submit an enquiry, we collect the information you enter into the form, which may include your name, email address, and message/enquiry details, and any other information you choose to include (such as phone number or institutional affiliation, where the form requests it).
  • Newsletter subscription: when you subscribe to our mailing list, we collect your email address (and, if requested, your name) to send you newsletters, updates, and announcements about CICSS activities.
  • Correspondence: if you email us directly, we retain that correspondence and any information you provide in it.
b. Information Collected Automatically
  • Google Analytics: we use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our Website. This may collect information such as your IP address (which may be anonymised/truncated), browser type, device type, pages visited, time spent on pages, referring website, and general location (city/country level). This data is collected automatically through cookies and similar tracking technologies. See our Cookie Policy for details on how to control this.
  • Server/log data: our hosting provider may automatically log standard technical information such as IP address, browser type, operating system, access times, and pages requested, for security and diagnostic purposes.
  • Cookies: please refer to our separate [Cookie Policy] for full details of the cookies used on this Website and how you can manage your preferences.

We do not knowingly collect sensitive personal data (such as financial information, health data, or government identity numbers) through the Website.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Respond to enquiries submitted through the contact form;
  • Communicate with you about research collaboration, events, publications, or partnership opportunities you have expressed interest in;
  • Send newsletters and updates to subscribers (only to those who have opted in);
  • Understand and improve how visitors use the Website, through aggregated analytics;
  • Maintain the security, integrity, and proper functioning of the Website;
  • Comply with legal obligations, and to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties for their marketing purposes.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Where applicable, we process your personal data on the basis of:

  • Your consent – for example, when you submit the contact form or subscribe to the newsletter, and for non-essential analytics/cookies;
  • Legitimate academic/institutional interest – for example, responding to research and collaboration enquiries consistent with the purpose for which you contacted us;
  • Legal obligation – where processing is required to comply with applicable law.

You may withdraw consent at any time (see Section 8, “Your Rights”).

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our Website uses cookies (including third-party cookies from Google Analytics) to operate certain features and to understand Website usage. Full details of the categories of cookies used, their purpose, duration, and how to manage or disable them are set out in our [Cookie Policy], which forms part of this Privacy Policy.

7. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

  • Service providers: with third parties who help us operate the Website and our communications, such as our web hosting/development provider, email/newsletter service provider, and Google (for analytics). These providers are only permitted to process your data on our instructions and for the purposes stated in this policy.
  • Within Indus University: with relevant faculty or staff of CICSS/Indus University where necessary to respond to your enquiry (e.g., forwarding a research collaboration request to the relevant academic).
  • Legal requirements: where required to comply with a legal obligation, court order, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of CICSS, Indus University, our users, or others.
  • Business transfers: in the event of a restructuring of Indus University or CICSS, personal data may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to confidentiality assurances.

Third-party service providers we currently use include:

  • Google Analytics (Google LLC) — website analytics. See Google’s privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
  • [Newsletter/email service provider name] — for sending newsletters to subscribers.
  • Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy:

  • Contact form enquiries: retained for as long as needed to address your enquiry and for a reasonable period afterward for record-keeping, unless you request earlier deletion.
  • Newsletter subscriptions: retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
  • Analytics data: retained in accordance with Google Analytics’ standard retention settings, in aggregated/anonymised form where possible.

9. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data collected through the Website against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you;
  • Correct inaccurate or incomplete data;
  • Withdraw consent at any time, including unsubscribing from our newsletter (via the unsubscribe link in any newsletter email) or asking us to stop using data collected via the contact form;
  • Request deletion/erasure of your personal data, subject to any legal retention requirements;
  • Request grievance redressal in relation to the processing of your personal data;
  • Opt out of non-essential cookies/analytics through your cookie preferences or browser settings (see Cookie Policy).

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at socialstudies@indusuni.ac.in. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe as required by applicable law.

You may also nominate another individual to exercise your rights under the DPDP Act in the event of your death or incapacity, in accordance with the Act’s provisions.

11. Children’s Privacy

The Website is intended for a general academic and research audience and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from individuals under the age of 18 without verifiable parental/guardian consent. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us so we can delete it.

12. International Visitors

Our Website may be accessed by visitors outside India. By using the Website, you understand that your information may be processed and stored in India or in other jurisdictions where our service providers (such as Google Analytics or our hosting provider) operate, which may have different data protection laws than your home country.

13. Links to Other Websites

Our Website may contain links to other websites operated by third parties (including affiliated centres such as CIS, Vedic Studies, India & World, Science & Tech, and our Journal). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external websites. We encourage you to review their respective privacy policies.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page will indicate when this policy was last revised. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

15. Grievance Officer / Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:

Dr. Sameer Pande Assistant Professor and Head, Centre for Indic Cultural and Social Studies Indus University Rancharda, Near Shilaj Via Thaltej, Ahmedabad – 382115, Gujarat, India Email: socialstudies@indusuni.ac.in / sameerpande.iiss@indusuni.ac.in

This document is a template and should be reviewed by a qualified legal professional before publication to ensure it accurately reflects CICSS’s actual data practices and complies with all applicable laws