Legal Policies of India Rankings

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Code & Compliance

India Institutional Ranking Consortium (IIRC), is an independent benchmarking platform. Rankings are based on submitted, and/or publicly available data, evaluated through defined methodologies. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, no liability is assumed for decisions made based on these rankings. India Rankings by India Institutional Ranking Consortium (IIRC) is not a Government accreditation or regulatory authority.

WEBSITE TERMS

Effective Date: April 30, 2026

Applicability: These Website Terms govern the general access, navigation, and passive use of the India Rankings digital platform.

1. General Information and Acceptance

The website located at [www.indiarankings.com] (the "Website") is owned and operated by India Rankings. By accessing, browsing, or otherwise interacting with this Website, you (the "User") acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Website Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms, you must cease all use of the Website immediately.

2. Nature of Information and Disclaimer

The content provided on this Website, including but not limited to institutional rankings, performance reports, heatmaps, and benchmarking methodologies (collectively, "Content"), is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

No Guarantee: While India Rankings strives for precision, we do not warrant that the Content is free from errors, omissions, or technical inaccuracies.
User Responsibility: Any reliance placed on the rankings for academic, professional, or financial decisions is strictly at the User's own risk.

3. No Accreditation or Regulatory Authority

India Institutional Ranking Consortium - India Rankings operates as an independent benchmarking and data analytics platform.

We do not possess statutory authority to grant accreditation, affiliation, or "Recognized University" status under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act or any other regulatory framework.
The inclusion of an institution in our listings does not constitute a legal endorsement of its degree-granting powers.

4. Intellectual Property Rights

All Content, including the "India Rankings" logo, proprietary ranking algorithms, UI/UX design, and proprietary reports, is the exclusive intellectual property of India Rankings.

Restrictions: Users are prohibited from scraping, crawling, or extracting data for the purpose of creating a competing database.
Commercial Use: Any commercial redistribution of our data requires an express written licensing agreement.

5. Use of Rankings

Institutions and individuals are permitted to cite their rank provided that:

Attribution: Proper credit is given to "India Rankings" alongside the specific year and category of the ranking.
Integrity: The ranking is not presented out of context or in a manner that misleads the public regarding the institution’s standing.

6. Third-Party Content and External Links

This Website may contain links to external portals (e.g., university websites, government data repositories). India Rankings does not exercise editorial control over, nor does it assume liability for, the content or privacy practices of these third-party sites.

7. Website Availability and Modification

India Rankings reserves the unilateral right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Website at any time without prior notice. We shall not be liable for any temporary unavailability resulting from technical maintenance or force majeure events.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, India Rankings and its affiliates shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the Website, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

9. Indemnity

The User agrees to indemnify and hold harmless India Rankings from any claims, losses, or legal expenses (including attorney fees) arising from the User’s misuse of the Website or violation of these Terms.

10. Cookie Notice

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyse website traffic. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. Read our Cookie Policy.

11. Privacy Notice

By submitting your information, you consent to its use for evaluation, research, and communication purposes by India Rankings in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Read our Privacy Policy

12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of India. Any disputes arising under these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Bengaluru.

13. Amendments

We reserve the right to amend these Terms of Use at any time. Continued use of the platform following any such changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

14. Contact Information

For legal inquiries, clarifications, or reporting violations, please contact via email: legal@indiarankings.com

Scope: These Terms of Use govern the active participation, data submission, and account-based services provided by India Institutional Ranking Consortium (IIRC) - India Rankings to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and authorized representatives.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an institutional profile or submitting data for ranking consideration, you agree to these Terms of Use. These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between the participating entity and India Rankings.

2. Eligibility and Authority

Use of the portal for data submission is restricted to legally competent individuals who are authorized representatives of their respective institutions. By submitting data, you represent and warrant that you possess the requisite authority to bind your institution to these terms.

3. Permitted Use

The platform shall be used exclusively for:

Submitting institutional data for annual ranking cycles.
Accessing benchmarking analytics and performance dashboards.
Internal quality assurance and strategic planning.

4. Data Submission and Verification

Accuracy: All data submitted (Faculty-Student ratios, Research output, Placement data, etc.) must be accurate, current, and verifiable.
Verification: India Rankings reserves the right to audit submitted data through third-party sources or physical inspections.
Rejection: Any submission found to be fraudulent or significantly misrepresented may result in the immediate disqualification of the institution from the current and future ranking cycles.

5. Ranking Disclaimer and Finality

Rankings are generated based on comparative mathematical models and weights. They are relative indicators of performance within a specific cohort and do not represent absolute quality. All final rankings, scores, and tier placements are at the sole discretion of India Rankings and are final.

6. Intellectual Property in Methodology

India Institutional Ranking Consortium (IIRC) - India Rankings retains all rights, titles, and interests in its proprietary scoring models and methodologies. Participation in the ranking process does not grant any institution a license to reverse-engineer or replicate these models for commercial purposes.

7. Fees and Payments

Where applicable, fees for premium reports, participation, or data analytics are non-refundable. Failure to pay scheduled fees may result in the suspension of access to premium portal features.

8. Prohibited Conduct

Users are strictly prohibited from:

Attempting to gain unauthorized access to other institutional profiles.
Using automated bots to manipulate "Public Perception" or "Peer Review" metrics.
Uploading malicious code or files intended to disrupt the platform's integrity.

9. Confidentiality and Data Usage

Submission Data: While raw data may be kept confidential during the validation phase, India Rankings reserves the right to use aggregated and anonymized data for research, trend analysis, and publication of final reports.
Privacy: Institutional contact details will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

10. Termination of Access

India Rankings reserves the right to terminate or suspend access to the portal for any User or Institution found in violation of these Terms, including but not limited to the submission of false data or unethical conduct.

11. Disclaimer of Warranties

The services, portal access, and analytics are provided on an "As-Is" and "As-Available" basis. India Rankings disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

12. Limitation of Liability for Rankings

India Rankings shall not be liable for any perceived "loss of reputation," "reduction in student enrollment," or "loss of funding" allegedly caused by an institution’s rank or placement on the website.

13. Force Majeure

India Rankings shall not be held responsible for any failure to perform its obligations under these terms if such failure is caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including cyber-attacks, government regulations, or national emergencies.

14. Amendments

We reserve the right to amend these Terms of Use at any time. Continued use of the platform following any such changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

15. Contact Information

For legal inquiries, clarifications, or reporting violations, please email us at legal@indiarankings.com

PAYMENT GATEWAY & ENFORCEABILITY CLAUSE, AND REFUND POLICY

Payment Gateway and Enforceability Clause

1. Payment Authorization and Consent

By proceeding with payment, you confirm that you have read and agreed to the Terms, Privacy Policy, and Refund Policy. All payments are final and non-refundable. No chargebacks or disputes shall be initiated without prior written communication.

By initiating and completing a payment through any payment gateway, including but not limited to Razorpay, the User/Institution:

Confirms that they are authorised to make the payment
Acknowledges that the payment is made voluntarily and with full understanding of the services
Explicitly agrees to:
- Refund Policy
- Terms & Conditions
- Privacy Policy

Such acceptance shall constitute a legally binding digital consent (click-wrap agreement).

2. Binding Nature of Digital Acceptance

The act of:

Clicking “Pay”, “Proceed”, or “Confirm Payment”
Completing a transaction through the payment gateway

shall be deemed as:

Electronic acceptance of contractual terms
A valid and enforceable agreement under applicable Indian laws, including:
- Information Technology Act, 2000
- Indian Contract Act, 1872

3. No Chargeback / Payment Reversal Clause

The User/Institution expressly agrees:

Not to initiate chargebacks, payment reversals, or disputes through banks, card networks, or payment gateways without first contacting India Rankings
That all payments are final and non-refundable as per the Refund Policy

In case of unauthorised chargebacks:

India Rankings reserves the right to:
- Suspend or terminate services
- Disqualify participation in rankings
- Recover dues, including legal costs and penalties
- Initiate legal proceedings

4. Payment Gateway Role Disclaimer

The payment gateway

Acts solely as a third-party payment processor
Does not provide or control the services offered by India Rankings
Is not responsible for service delivery, quality, or disputes

All service-related matters shall be governed solely by India Rankings.

5. Transaction Records and Evidence

All payment transactions shall be recorded electronically
Transaction logs, invoices, and confirmations shall serve as legally admissible evidence
India Rankings reserves the right to rely on such records in any dispute or legal proceeding

6. Fraud and Misuse

India Institutional Ranking Consortium (IIRC) - India Rankings reserves the right to:

Reject or cancel transactions suspected to be fraudulent
Report suspicious activity to relevant authorities

Users engaging in fraudulent activity may face:

Legal action
Blacklisting from future participation

7. Dispute Resolution

All disputes arising from payments shall:

Be governed by the Terms & Conditions of India Rankings
Be subject to exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Bengaluru, India

Refund Policy for services by India Rankings

1. General Policy

India Institutional Ranking Consortium (IIRC) - India Rankings operates on a strict no-refund policy for all services, products, participation fees, and associated offerings. All payments made to India Rankings are final, non-refundable, and non-transferable, unless explicitly agreed otherwise in writing by India Rankings.

By proceeding with payment, you confirm that you have read and agreed to the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Refund Policy. All payments are final and non-refundable. No chargebacks or disputes shall be initiated without prior written communication.

2. Pre-Agreement and Acceptance

All services provided by India Rankings are:

Pre-defined and pre-negotiated with participating institutions or users
Delivered based on mutually agreed scope, timelines, and deliverables

By making a payment, the User/Institution:

Confirms acceptance of the agreed scope of services
Acknowledges and agrees to this Refund Policy
Waives any right to dispute or claim refund on grounds of dissatisfaction

All payments made to India Rankings are final and non-refundable. By proceeding, you agree to the Refund Policy and confirm acceptance of the pre-agreed services and deliverables.

3. Nature of Services

India Rankings provides services including but not limited to:

Rankings participation and evaluation
Data processing, validation, and analysis
Research, reporting, and benchmarking
Digital platform access and analytics

These services involve:

Allocation of resources
Data processing and system usage
Intellectual and analytical work

Accordingly, such services are non-reversible and non-refundable in nature.

4. No Refund Scenarios

Refunds shall not be granted under any circumstances, including but not limited to:

Withdrawal from participation after registration
Changes in institutional affiliation/status by an act of the Government.
A delay exceeding 45 days in declaring the specific ranking results.

5. Service Delivery and Completion

Once services are:

Initiated, or
Partially or fully delivered

no refund, cancellation, or reversal shall be permitted.

6. Exceptional Circumstances

Any exception to this policy shall be:

At the sole discretion of India Rankings
Valid only if approved in writing by authorised representatives

No verbal assurances or informal communications shall be considered binding.

7. Payment Disputes

Users/Institutions agree:

Not to initiate chargebacks or payment disputes without prior written communication
That any unauthorised dispute may result in:
- Suspension of services
- Disqualification from rankings
- Legal action

8. Limitation of Liability

India Rankings shall not be liable for:

Any financial loss arising from non-refund of fees
Any indirect or consequential damages related to service usage

9. Policy Acceptance

By proceeding with payment, the User/Institution confirms that they have:

Read and understood this Refund Policy
Agreed to its terms in full.

DATA PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY

1. Introduction

India Institutional Ranking Consortium (IIRC) - India Rankings (“we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to ensuring the privacy, confidentiality, and secure handling of all data and information collected, processed, and used in connection with its rankings, assessments, research, and related services.

This Policy outlines how India Rankings collects, uses, processes, stores, and protects institutional and personal data in compliance with applicable laws and best practices.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to:

Participating institutions and their representatives
Website users and stakeholders
Data submitted through digital platforms, surveys, and communications
Any information shared in connection with rankings, audits, research, or associated services

3. Nature of Data Collected

India Rankings may collect and process the following categories of data:

3.1 Institutional Data

Academic, operational, and performance-related data
Faculty, student, infrastructure, research, and placement data
Supporting documents, reports, and evidence submitted

3.2 Personal Data

Contact details of authorised representatives
Survey responses from students, faculty, alumni, and employers
Communication records and engagement details

3.3 Public Domain Data

Information available through official websites, reports, and public disclosures

4. Purpose of Data Collection

Data collected is used for:

Evaluation, benchmarking, and ranking of institutions
Research, analysis, and publication of reports and indices
Development of insights, trends, and comparative studies
Communication, outreach, and stakeholder engagement
Improvement of methodologies, systems, and services

5. Consent and Data Submission

By submitting data to India Rankings:

Institutions and individuals represent and warrant that the data provided is accurate, lawful, and authorised for submission
Consent is deemed to be granted for collection, processing, analysis, and use of such data for rankings and related purposes
India Rankings reserves the right to verify, validate, and request additional documentation

6. Data Usage and Disclosure

6.1 Aggregated and Analytical Use

India Rankings may use submitted data in aggregated, anonymised, or analytical formats for rankings, publications, and insights.

6.2 Publication of Results

Institutional names, rankings, scores, bands, and related outcomes may be publicly disclosed through reports, websites, media, and publications.

6.3 Limited Sharing

Data may be shared with:

Internal teams, affiliates, and associated or parent entities
Third-party service providers under confidentiality obligations
Research and analytical partners (in controlled formats)

India Rankings does not sell personal data to third parties.

7. Confidentiality

Sensitive or proprietary data submitted by institutions is treated as confidential and is used strictly for evaluation and analysis
Such data will not be disclosed in identifiable form without consent, except where required by law or necessary for verification
India Rankings retains the right to use derived insights, trends, and anonymised data without restriction

8. Data Security

India Institutional Ranking Consortium (IIRC) - India Rankings implements reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect data, including:

Secure digital platforms and controlled access systems
Data encryption and storage safeguards (where applicable)
Restricted access to authorised personnel only

However, while efforts are made to ensure security, absolute protection cannot be guaranteed.

9. Data Retention

Data may be retained for as long as necessary to fulfil evaluation, research, legal, and operational requirements
India Rankings reserves the right to maintain historical data for longitudinal analysis and benchmarking

10. Rights of Data Providers

Subject to applicable laws:

Institutions may request corrections to submitted data prior to final evaluation
Requests for access, clarification, or modification may be considered at the discretion of India Rankings
Once rankings are published, retrospective changes may not be accommodated

11. Third-Party Platforms and Links

India Institutional Ranking Consortium (IIRC) - India Rankings may use third-party tools, platforms, or links.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external platforms, and users are advised to review their respective policies.

12. Policy Updates

India Rankings reserves the right to modify, update, or revise this Policy at any time without prior notice.
Continued use of services or participation constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.

13. Limitation of Liability