Privacy Policy & Data Protection Disclosures

Statutory compliance under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) and the Information Technology Act, 2000 of India.

Harshya (accessible at https://www.harshya.in) is an independent educational knowledge portal, digital gazetteer, and examination preparation archive founded and curated by Harsh Vardhan (Harshit Badyal). We respect your privacy and are committed to safeguarding personal data in strict compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

1. Data Collection via Interactive Forms

Unlike commercial data brokers, Harshya adheres to strict data minimization. We only collect personal information that users voluntarily submit through our functional web forms:

2. Server Log Files & Technical Diagnostics

Like standard web infrastructure, our hosting providers (Vercel Edge Network) automatically log non-identifiable technical diagnostic data when requests are made to our servers. This includes anonymized IP addresses, browser user-agent strings, referring URLs, operating system platforms, and request timestamps. This technical telemetry is utilized exclusively for server performance optimization, preventing denial-of-service abuse, and diagnosing regional connectivity across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Server logs are not combined with any personal identifiers.

3. Cookie Consent Architecture & User Preference Controls

Harshya operates a privacy-by-default cookie governance system. When you first visit our site, you are presented with explicit cookie choices:

• Essential Storage & Cookies: Strictly necessary for site navigation, accessibility preferences, and maintaining your privacy choice (stored in browser LocalStorage under cookie_consent: 'essential' or 'all'). These cannot be disabled as the site cannot function securely without them.
• Cookieless Performance Analytics: We use Vercel Web Analytics and Speed Insights to monitor Core Web Vitals (LCP, CLS, INP). These privacy-first diagnostic tools do not use tracking cookies, do not persist identifiers across domains, and do not collect personal demographic data.
• Advertising & Commercial Disclosures: Currently, Harshya is maintained as an open-access educational archive. Where third-party advertising services (such as Google AdSense) are deployed to offset infrastructure hosting costs, third-party cookies (such as Google DoubleClick cookies) may be served to measure ad views. Visitors can opt out of personalized advertising at any time by configuring their Google Ads Settings or visiting aboutads.info.
• Respect of Preference: If you select 'Essential Only' on the cookie banner, no optional advertising or non-essential telemetry scripts are loaded.

4. Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act - India)

Under the DPDP Act 2023, Harshya operates as a Data Fiduciary in respect of any voluntary form submissions. As a Data Principal, you enjoy statutory rights under Chapter III of the Act:

• Right to Access Information (Section 11): You may request a plain-language summary of your personal data processed by us and the list of specific data processors involved.
• Right to Correction & Erasure (Section 12): You may request the correction of inaccurate or outdated personal records, or the complete erasure of your submitted data.
• Right of Grievance Redressal (Section 13): You have a statutory right to register grievances with our designated Data Protection & Grievance Redressal Officer.
• Right to Nominate (Section 14): You have the right to nominate any individual to exercise your data principal rights in the event of death or incapacity.

5. Protection of Children’s Personal Data (Under 18 Years)

Harshya provides educational civil services preparation materials, historical chronicles, and geographical atlases frequently referenced by students, adolescents, and competitive examination aspirants across Jammu & Kashmir. In strict accordance with Section 9 of the DPDP Act 2023:

• We strictly refrain from processing any personal data of individuals under 18 years of age for behavioral tracking, targeted profiling, or targeted advertisements.
• We do not publish or distribute content detrimental to the well-being of children.
• If an adolescent or student under the age of 18 submits personal data through our consultation or athlete forms, verifiable parental or guardian consent is required. If a parent or guardian discovers that personal data of a minor was submitted without consent, please contact our Grievance Desk for immediate expedited erasure.

6. International Visitor Rights (GDPR & Global Research Access)

While Harshya is an India-domiciled educational initiative primarily serving Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh residents, scholars and diaspora visitors globally may access our open archives. For visitors from jurisdictions recognizing GDPR principles, we extend universal rights of access, rectification, portability, and erasure upon written verification of identity, responding within 30 days without fee.

7. Statutory Grievance Redressal Officer (IT Rules 2021 & DPDP Act)

Pursuant to Rule 11 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 and Section 13 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the designated Grievance Redressal Officer for Harshya is:

For questions regarding our editorial methodology, please consult our About & Editorial Charter.