Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy (“Policy”) explains how MindShiksha EdTech Private Limited (“MindShiksha”, “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit or use:

• https://mindshiksha.com;
• MindShiksha web applications;
• MindShiksha assessment platforms;
• MindShiksha learning platforms; and
• other digital services operated by or on behalf of MindShiksha that link to this Policy.

This Policy should be read together with the MindShiksha Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files or similar data files that may be placed on your computer, mobile phone, tablet or other device when you visit a website.

Cookies allow a website to:

• recognise a device;
• maintain a user session;
• remember preferences;
• improve functionality;
• understand website usage;
• maintain security; and
• provide a more consistent user experience.

Cookies may be session cookies, which are deleted when a browsing session ends, or persistent cookies, which remain on a device for a specified period.

3. Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, MindShiksha may use technologies such as:

• local storage;
• session storage;
• pixels;
• web beacons;
• software development kits (SDKs);
• device identifiers;
• log files; and
• similar technologies.

For simplicity, this Policy refers to these technologies collectively as “Cookies” unless a distinction is necessary.

4. Why MindShiksha Uses Cookies

MindShiksha may use Cookies for purposes including:

1. operating the website and Platform;
2. maintaining login sessions;
3. remembering user preferences;
4. improving security;
5. preventing fraudulent activity;
6. understanding how users interact with the website;
7. improving Platform performance;
8. analysing traffic and usage;
9. improving educational services;
10. remembering assessment or learning-session information where technically necessary;
11. measuring the effectiveness of communications or campaigns; and
12. supporting permitted marketing or advertising activities.

5. Categories of Cookies

MindShiksha may use the following categories of Cookies.

5.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These Cookies are necessary for the basic operation and security of the website or Platform. They may be used for:

• authentication;
• maintaining login sessions;
• account security;
• load balancing;
• fraud prevention;
• maintaining session state;
• protecting forms;
• remembering essential settings; and
• enabling core Platform functionality.

Because these Cookies may be necessary for the operation of the service, they may not always be capable of being disabled through a standard cookie-preference interface.

6. Functional Cookies

Functional Cookies allow MindShiksha to remember choices and preferences. Examples may include:

• language preferences;
• interface settings;
• accessibility preferences;
• selected learning preferences;
• previously selected options; and
• other user-interface preferences.

Disabling these Cookies may cause some preferences to be lost or may reduce certain functionality.

7. Analytics and Performance Cookies

MindShiksha may use analytics technologies to understand how users interact with its website and Platform. These technologies may provide information such as:

• number of visitors;
• pages visited;
• session duration;
• navigation patterns;
• feature usage;
• device type;
• browser information;
• technical errors; and
• general engagement patterns.

Analytics information may be used to:

• identify technical problems;
• improve website performance;
• understand service usage;
• improve user experience; and
• guide product development.

Where practical, analytics data may be aggregated or de-identified.

8. Assessment and Learning Session Technologies

The MindShiksha Platform may use cookies or similar technologies to maintain information necessary for an assessment or learning session. These technologies may be required to:

• maintain assessment sessions;
• prevent accidental loss of progress;
• maintain authentication;
• record session state;
• ensure the correct sequence of assessment activities;
• support timing functionality; and
• protect assessment integrity.

These technologies do not necessarily mean that MindShiksha is storing all assessment responses within a cookie. Assessment responses, scores and other personal data are handled according to the MindShiksha Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection requirements.

9. Security Cookies

Security-related Cookies or similar technologies may be used to:

• detect suspicious activity;
• protect accounts;
• prevent unauthorised access;
• protect forms;
• detect automated abuse;
• maintain secure sessions; and
• protect the Platform from attacks.

Disabling certain security technologies may prevent some features from functioning properly.

10. Marketing and Advertising Cookies

If MindShiksha uses marketing or advertising technologies, such technologies may be used to:

• measure advertising performance;
• understand campaign effectiveness;
• limit repeated advertisements;
• measure conversions;
• understand general website engagement; or
• provide relevant promotional communications.

MindShiksha will deploy non-essential marketing or advertising Cookies in accordance with applicable law and the choices made through available consent mechanisms.

MindShiksha does not sell personal data merely because advertising or marketing technologies are used.

11. Third-Party Cookies

Some Cookies may be placed by third-party service providers used by MindShiksha. These may include providers supporting:

• analytics;
• payment processing;
• authentication;
• cloud infrastructure;
• customer support;
• communication;
• security;
• video or media delivery;
• marketing; or
• other Platform functionality.

Third-party providers may process information according to their own privacy policies and contractual arrangements. MindShiksha will take reasonable steps to ensure that third-party technologies integrated into its services are used consistently with applicable legal and contractual requirements.

12. Cookies Used by Payment Services

When a User initiates a payment, the relevant payment service provider may use cookies or similar technologies for purposes such as:

• payment security;
• fraud detection;
• authentication;
• transaction processing; and
• maintaining payment sessions.

The payment provider's own privacy policy and terms may apply to such processing. MindShiksha does not ordinarily need to store complete payment-card credentials merely because a payment is initiated through the Platform.

13. Cookie Consent

Where required by applicable law, MindShiksha will request consent before using non-essential Cookies. A cookie-consent mechanism may allow you to:

• accept all Cookies;
• reject non-essential Cookies;
• manage Cookie preferences; or
• change your choices later.

Essential Cookies may continue to operate where necessary for the provision and security of the requested service.

14. Withdrawing Cookie Consent

Where Cookie use is based on consent, you may withdraw or change your consent through the Cookie preference mechanism provided by MindShiksha, where available. You may also control Cookies through your browser or device settings.

Withdrawal of consent will not ordinarily affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

15. Browser Controls

Most modern browsers allow users to:

• view stored Cookies;
• delete Cookies;
• block Cookies;
• block third-party Cookies;
• receive notifications when Cookies are placed; and
• configure Cookie preferences.

However, disabling or deleting certain Cookies may result in:

• loss of login sessions;
• reduced functionality;
• inability to use certain Platform features;
• loss of preferences; or
• interruption of assessment or learning sessions.

16. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers and devices provide “Do Not Track” or similar privacy signals. Because there is no universally consistent technical standard for interpreting all such signals, MindShiksha may not respond to every browser-generated signal in the same manner.

Where applicable law requires a specific response to a recognised privacy signal, MindShiksha will comply with the applicable requirement.

17. Personal Data and Cookies

Cookies may sometimes be associated with information that can identify or relate to a User. Where Cookie-related information constitutes personal data, MindShiksha will process it in accordance with:

• the MindShiksha Privacy Policy;
• applicable data-protection laws; and
• the purposes communicated to the User.

Cookies are not used to circumvent a User's applicable privacy rights.

18. Children's Use of the Platform

MindShiksha recognises that its services may be used by children and students. Where children use the MindShiksha Platform, Cookie and similar-technology practices will be implemented with appropriate consideration of applicable legal requirements relating to children's personal data.

MindShiksha does not intentionally use Cookies to collect unnecessary personal information from children. Where consent is required under applicable law, the appropriate consent mechanism will be used.

Parents or lawful guardians may contact MindShiksha regarding privacy concerns relating to a child's use of the Platform.

Email: contact@mindshiksha.com

19. Cookies and Assessment Integrity

Certain technical mechanisms may be used to protect the integrity of MindShiksha assessments. These mechanisms may help:

• maintain assessment sessions;
• identify interrupted sessions;
• prevent unauthorised manipulation;
• maintain assessment timing;
• maintain question sequencing; and
• detect unusual technical activity.

Such technologies are intended to protect the reliability and security of the assessment process. They do not by themselves determine a User's assessment result.

20. Cookies and Personalised Learning

MindShiksha may use session information and similar technologies to provide a more personalised learning experience. Depending on the Platform configuration, this may include remembering:

• course progress;
• assessment progress;
• selected preferences;
• previously accessed resources; and
• session state.

Personalised learning recommendations and assessment results are governed separately by the MindShiksha Privacy Policy and applicable service terms.

21. Retention of Cookie Information

Different Cookies have different lifespans. A Cookie may remain on a device:

• only for the duration of a session;
• for a specified number of days;
• for a specified number of months; or
• for another period reasonably necessary for its purpose.

MindShiksha may periodically review Cookie lifetimes and remove or replace Cookies that are no longer required. Where a Cookie contains or is linked to personal data, retention will also be governed by applicable data-retention requirements and the MindShiksha Privacy Policy.

22. Cookie Inventory

The exact Cookies used by MindShiksha may change as the website and Platform evolve. Accordingly, the Cookie inventory may include categories such as:

The exact names, providers and durations of Cookies may vary depending on the version of the MindShiksha Platform and third-party services enabled at a particular time.

23. Third-Party Privacy Policies

Where third-party services are used, Users should review the relevant provider's privacy documentation. MindShiksha is not responsible for the independent Cookie practices of third-party websites or services that are not controlled by MindShiksha.

24. Changes to this Cookie Policy

MindShiksha may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

• changes in technology;
• changes in Cookies used by the Platform;
• changes in third-party service providers;
• changes in our services;
• changes in applicable law; or
• regulatory requirements.

The updated Policy will be published on the MindShiksha website with a revised “Last Updated” date.

25. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns regarding this Cookie Policy or MindShiksha's use of Cookies, please contact:

26. Your Choices

MindShiksha Cookie Preferences

Where available, use the Cookie preference or consent mechanism displayed on the MindShiksha website.

Browser Settings

You may also manage or delete Cookies through your browser's privacy settings.

Please note that blocking essential Cookies may affect your ability to use certain MindShiksha services.

27. Relationship with Other Policies

This Cookie Policy should be read together with:

• MindShiksha Privacy Policy
• MindShiksha Terms & Conditions
• MindShiksha Copyright Policy
• MindShiksha Hyperlinking Policy
• MindShiksha Refund & Cancellation Policy
• any applicable institutional agreement or service-specific notice.

In the event of a conflict concerning personal-data processing, the applicable Privacy Policy and mandatory provisions of applicable law will govern to the extent of the conflict.