Privacy Policy

Introduction

Panchamveda Oasis Foundation ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website panchamveda.org or make a donation to our organization.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

Make a donation through our website
Register as a volunteer
Subscribe to our newsletter
Contact us via email or contact form
Participate in our programs or events

The personal information we collect may include:

Full Name
Email Address
Phone Number
Postal Address
PAN Number (for 80G tax exemption certificates)
Payment Information (processed securely through Razorpay)
Date of Birth (for volunteers)
Bank Account Details (for employees and vendors only)

Payment Information

Important: We use Razorpay as our payment gateway. All payment information including credit card numbers, debit card numbers, and banking details are processed directly by Razorpay. We do not store complete payment card details on our servers. Razorpay is PCI DSS compliant and ensures the highest level of security for your transactions.

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

IP address
Browser type and version
Operating system
Access times and dates
Pages viewed and links clicked
Referring website addresses

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Processing Donations: To process your donations and issue 80G tax exemption certificates
Communication: To send donation receipts, acknowledgments, annual reports, and updates about our work
Tax Compliance: To maintain records as required under Income Tax Act and other applicable laws
Volunteer Management: To coordinate volunteer activities and communicate opportunities
Improving Services: To understand how our website is used and improve user experience
Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
Security: To protect against fraud, unauthorized transactions, and other illegal activities

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We respect your privacy and do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

With Your Consent

We may share your information when you have given us explicit permission to do so.

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

Payment Processing: Razorpay (for secure payment transactions)
Email Services: For sending newsletters and communication
Website Hosting: For hosting our website and database
Analytics: For understanding website usage patterns

These service providers are bound by confidentiality agreements and are not permitted to use your information for any purpose other than providing services to us.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

Legal processes (subpoenas, court orders)
Government investigations
Income Tax authorities for 80G certificate verification
Regulatory compliance requirements for Section 8 companies

Tax Authorities

Donor information may be shared with Income Tax authorities as required under Section 80G provisions and FCRA regulations (if applicable).

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
Secure payment processing through PCI DSS compliant gateway (Razorpay)
Regular security audits and updates
Access controls and authentication mechanisms
Regular data backups
Employee training on data protection

Note: While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.

Donation Records: Maintained for 7 years as required by Income Tax regulations
Financial Records: Maintained as per Companies Act, 2013 requirements
Volunteer Records: Retained during active volunteering and 2 years thereafter
Communication Records: Maintained until you opt-out or for 3 years, whichever is earlier

Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Correction

You have the right to access and correct your personal information held by us. Contact us to request access or corrections.

Opt-Out

You may opt-out of receiving promotional communications from us by:

Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in our emails
Contacting us directly at info@panchamveda.org

Note: You cannot opt-out of receiving transactional communications such as donation receipts and 80G certificates.

Data Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal obligations to retain certain records for tax and regulatory compliance.

Withdraw Consent

Where we rely on your consent to process your information, you may withdraw that consent at any time by contacting us.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience. Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us:

Remember your preferences
Understand how you use our website
Improve website functionality
Analyze website traffic

You can control cookie settings through your browser. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (social media, partner organizations, payment gateways). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

International Data Transfers

Your information is primarily stored and processed in India. If we transfer information outside India, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with applicable laws.

Changes to Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to modify this privacy policy at any time. When we make changes, we will:

Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
Notify you via email if changes are material (for registered users)
Post the updated policy on our website

Your continued use of our website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated privacy policy.

Legal Compliance

This privacy policy is designed to comply with:

Information Technology Act, 2000
Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011
Income Tax Act, 1961 (Section 80G provisions)
Companies Act, 2013
FCRA Regulations (if applicable)
Other applicable Indian data protection laws