Privacy Policy

GEMS Arts and Science College (Autonomous) ("GEMS", "the College", "we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors to our website, prospective and current students, alumni, staff, and anyone who otherwise interacts with us online or through our admissions process. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.

By using our website (the "Site") or submitting information to us — including through admissions, application, contact, or newsletter forms — you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information when you interact with our Site or College:

a) Information you provide directly

• Name, email address, phone number, and postal address submitted through admissions, application, contact, or enquiry forms
• Academic records, qualifications, and documents submitted as part of the UG/PG admissions process
• Payment and billing details when paying application, tuition, or other fees (processed via secure third-party payment gateways)
• Any information you provide when applying for careers/employment at the College
• Feedback, testimonials, or content you submit voluntarily (e.g. event registrations, alumni updates)

b) Information collected automatically

• IP address, browser type, device information, and operating system
• Pages visited, time spent on the Site, referring website, and general usage patterns
• Location data at a general (city/region) level, where enabled by your device

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Process admissions, applications, and enrolment for UG and PG programmes
• Respond to enquiries, requests, and support questions submitted via the Site
• Communicate important academic, administrative, or campus updates
• Maintain accurate student, alumni, and departmental records
• Improve our Site, courses, and services based on usage patterns and feedback
• Comply with applicable legal, regulatory, and accreditation (UGC/NAAC) requirements
• Prevent fraud, misuse, and to maintain the security of our systems

We do not use personal information for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects without human involvement.

3. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our Site may use cookies and similar technologies (such as web beacons and local storage) to:

• Remember your preferences and improve site functionality
• Understand how visitors use the Site (analytics)
• Support embedded content such as the campus 360° virtual tour, maps, and videos

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain parts of the Site.

4. How We Share Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share information only in the following circumstances:

• Service providers: trusted vendors who support our website hosting, email delivery, payment processing, or admissions management (e.g. our website development partner)
• Regulatory bodies: UGC, affiliating university, NAAC, or government authorities where required for accreditation, funding, or compliance purposes
• Legal requirements: where disclosure is required to comply with a law, regulation, court order, or valid legal process
• With your consent: for any other purpose disclosed to you at the time information is collected

5. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, including satisfying legal, academic record-keeping, accreditation, and reporting requirements. Student academic records are retained in accordance with University and UGC record-retention norms. You may request deletion of non-essential personal data (see "Your Rights" below).

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Rights & Choices

Subject to applicable law (including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the Information Technology Act, 2000), you may have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your personal information, where legally permissible
• Withdraw consent for marketing or non-essential communications at any time
• Raise a grievance regarding how your data has been handled

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in the "Contact Us" section below.

8. Minors & Prospective Students

Some prospective students who visit our Site or apply for admission may be minors under 18 years of age. Where information about a minor is submitted (for example, during the admissions process), we require that it be provided with the involvement or consent of a parent or legal guardian.

9. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms (LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook) and payment gateways. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review their respective privacy policies.

10. Changes to This 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 updated version will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.