Privacy Policy

Introduction

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research ("JNCASR", "we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you apply for the Summer Research Fellowship Programme (SRFP) - 2026 through our website.

By submitting your application and using our services, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

We collect the following personal information from applicants:

• Full name, date of birth, and gender
• Contact information (email address, phone number, postal address)
• Educational details (institution name, degree programme, year of study, marks/grades)
• Academic documents (marksheets, certificates, transcripts)
• Photograph
• Research interests and area of preference

1.2 Payment Information

When you pay the application fee of ₹500, we collect payment-related information through our payment gateway partner, Razorpay. This includes:

• Transaction ID and payment status
• Payment method used
• Date and time of transaction

Note: We do not store your complete credit/debit card details, CVV, or net banking passwords. These are directly handled by Razorpay's secure payment infrastructure.

1.3 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• IP address and browser type
• Device information
• Access times and pages viewed
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Processing and evaluating SRFP-2026 applications
• Verifying eligibility criteria and academic qualifications
• Merit-based selection of candidates
• Communication regarding application status, selection results, and programme updates
• Processing application fee payments and maintaining financial records
• Placement of selected fellows at partner research institutes
• Programme administration and fellowship disbursement
• Maintaining records for audit and compliance purposes
• Improving our application process and website functionality
• Statistical analysis and programme evaluation

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with:

3.1 Partner Research Institutes

Selected candidates' information is shared with host research institutes across India for placement and research training purposes.

3.2 Payment Service Providers

We use Razorpay as our payment gateway partner. Payment information is processed securely through their platform in accordance with their privacy policy and PCI-DSS compliance standards.

3.3 Legal Compliance

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulations, or to protect our rights and safety.

3.4 Service Providers

We may engage third-party service providers for website hosting, email communication, and data storage, who are bound by confidentiality obligations.

4. 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:

• Secure SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Restricted access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
• Secure payment processing through PCI-DSS compliant gateway (Razorpay)
• Regular data backups and disaster recovery procedures

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

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for the following periods:

• Application Data: Retained for a minimum of 3 years for record-keeping and audit purposes
• Selected Fellows' Data: Retained for the duration of the fellowship and up to 7 years thereafter for alumni relations and programme evaluation
• Payment Records: Retained for 7 years as per financial compliance requirements
• Unsuccessful Applications: May be retained for 1 year for future programme consideration

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request access to your personal data we hold
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal and compliance obligations)
• Objection: Object to processing of your personal data for specific purposes
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time (may affect your application)

To exercise these rights, please contact us at the details provided in the "Contact Us" section below.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience, analyze website traffic, and improve functionality. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and security
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings

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

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including partner research institutes. 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.

9. Children's Privacy

The SRFP programme is intended for undergraduate and postgraduate students who are typically 18 years or older. We do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 18 without parental consent. If you are under 18, please ensure you have parental consent before applying.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our services after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

12. Consent

By submitting your application for SRFP-2026, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. You consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described herein.