Privacy Policy

Global Sustainability & Innovation Awards · Earth Water Foundation · Last updated: 12 October 2026

Earth Water Foundation ("we", "us") runs this website for the Global Sustainability & Innovation Awards. This policy explains what personal data we collect, why, and the choices you have. We process personal data in line with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.

1. What we collect

Account details: name, designation, organisation, email, phone number and password (stored only as a secure hash, never in readable form).
Entry content: your answers, documents, photos and videos, and the names of people featured in an entry.
Payment details: amount, date, status and transaction reference. Card, UPI and bank details are collected and processed by Cashfree Payments, not by us.
Enquiries and votes: what you send through our enquiry, contact, survey and voting forms.
Technical data: a session cookie that keeps you logged in, and basic server logs (IP address, browser, time of visit) used for security.

2. Why we use it

To create and manage your account and entries.
To screen entries and send them to the jury for evaluation.
To process payments, issue invoices and handle refunds.
To send you emails about your entry, results and the Awards Night.
To publish finalist and winner names as described in our Terms & Conditions.
To keep this website secure and meet our legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal data. We do not use it for advertising on other websites.

3. Who we share it with

Jury members, only for the entries assigned to them, under confidentiality.
Cashfree Payments, to process payments and refunds.
Our hosting and email providers, who store and send data on our behalf.
Government authorities, when the law requires it.

4. How long we keep it

Entry content and documents: until 31 December of the year after the edition you entered, then deleted.
Payment and invoice records: for 8 years, as Indian tax and accounting law requires.
Account details: until you ask us to delete your account, unless the law requires us to keep them longer.

5. Your rights

You can ask to see the personal data we hold about you, correct it, or have it deleted, and you can withdraw consent for publicity at any time before publication. Write to the Grievance Officer below. We respond within 30 days.

6. Security

Passwords are stored as secure hashes, uploaded files are kept in a protected folder, and the website uses HTTPS. No system is perfectly secure; if a breach affects your data, we will inform you and the authorities as the law requires.

7. Cookies

We use only a session cookie needed for login and security. We do not use advertising cookies.

8. Changes

We may update this policy and will show the new date at the top of this page.

9. Grievance Officer

Grievance Officer, Earth Water Foundation
Earth Water Foundation
Plot No. 03, Sector 33, Gurugram, Haryana 122001, India
Email: enquiry@eawater.com · Phone: +91 96677 32344