Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Mera Gyaan Setu (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) in India dedicated to promoting access to education and learning opportunities for underprivileged communities.

We value your trust and are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website https://www.meragyaansetu.com/ or make a donation to our cause.

By visiting our Website or donating to Mera Gyaan Setu, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Scope and Applicability

This Privacy Policy applies to all users, visitors, donors, volunteers, and partners of Mera Gyaan Setu, including those residing outside India.

It governs the collection and processing of information through our Website, online donation platforms, and related digital services.

3. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of information:

a. Personal Information Provided by You

When you engage with our Website or make a donation, we may collect:

Full name

Email address

Mobile number

Postal/billing address

PAN or identification number (for Indian donors, as required by law)

Donation amount and transaction details

Communication preferences

b. Information Automatically Collected

When you browse our Website, we automatically collect:

IP address and device information

Browser type and language preferences

Pages visited and time spent on the Website

Referral URLs and geographic location (approximate)

c. Payment Information

All online donations are processed through secure third-party payment gateways in compliance with RBI and FCRA guidelines.

We do not store your card, bank, or payment details on our servers.

4. Purpose of Data Collection

We collect and process personal information for the following purposes:

To facilitate donations and issue receipts or tax exemption certificates (as applicable)

To comply with legal, regulatory, and accounting obligations under Indian law (including FCRA and Income Tax Act)

To communicate updates about our initiatives, impact reports, and campaigns (only with your consent)

To respond to your queries, feedback, or support requests

To improve our Website functionality and user experience

To ensure compliance with anti-fraud and anti-money laundering regulations

5. Legal Basis for Processing (For International Donors)

For donors from the European Union or other jurisdictions governed by data protection laws, we process your data under one or more of the following legal bases:

Your explicit consent

Performance of a contract or donation transaction

Compliance with legal obligations

Pursuit of legitimate interests related to charitable administration

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. However, we may share data with:

Payment Service Providers: For securely processing online transactions

Regulatory Authorities: Such as the Income Tax Department or Ministry of Home Affairs (FCRA), if required by law

IT and Hosting Partners: Who assist in managing our Website under strict confidentiality agreements

Auditors or Legal Advisors: For compliance and reporting purposes

All third-party service providers are bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations consistent with this Policy.

7. Cross-Border Data Transfers

As Mera Gyaan Setu receives donations from individuals worldwide, your personal information may be transferred and processed in India.

By donating or interacting with our Website, you consent to such transfer. We ensure that your data is handled securely and in accordance with applicable data protection standards.

8. Data Retention

We retain donor and transaction records only as long as necessary to:

Comply with legal and financial record-keeping requirements, and

Maintain transparency and accountability of our charitable operations.

After the retention period, personal data is securely deleted or anonymized.

9. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data against unauthorized access, alteration, or misuse.

These include:

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption

Role-based access controls

Regular system audits and data backups

However, while we take all reasonable precautions, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.

10. Cookies and Analytics

Our Website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance functionality, analyze traffic, and improve user experience.

You can modify your browser settings to decline cookies. However, this may limit certain features of our Website.

We also use analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) to understand user engagement and improve our outreach effectiveness.

11. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights:

Access to your personal data

Correction or updating of inaccurate data

Withdrawal of consent for communications

Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal retention requirements

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details provided in Section 14.

12. Children’s Privacy

Mera Gyaan Setu does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13.

If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us, and we will promptly delete it.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or amend this Privacy Policy at any time.

Any material changes will be communicated by updating the “Effective Date” at the top of this page.

We encourage users to review this Policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact:

Mera Gyaan Setu

Registered NGO – India

📧 Email: connect@meragyaansetu.com

🌐 Website: https://www.meragyaansetu.com/

📍 Address: Scotia 101, Omaxe Heights, Sector 86, Faridabad, Haryana 121002, India

✅ Legal Compliance Note:

This Privacy Policy is aligned with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) requirements for international donations.

It is also consistent with international donor data protection principles (GDPR-compliant).