Effective Date: 28th July 2025
Last Updated: 28th July 2025

Shahani Group (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled in a safe and responsible manner. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your data across all our websites, platforms, applications, and services.

1. Who We Are

Shahani Group is a heritage-driven educational and philanthropic organization headquartered in Mumbai, India. Our initiatives include TSCFM, ask.CAREERS, Smart Institute, SAGE Foundation, and more. We operate online and offline programs in education, skill development, career counseling, and social upliftment.

2. What Data We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal and professional information:

• Identification Data: Name, contact details (phone number, email, address), date of birth, ID proofs (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, etc.)
• Professional Data: Educational background, work experience, resumes/CVs, certifications, references.
• Assessment Data: Aptitude test results, behavioral profiles, psychometric assessments, skill evaluations.
• Technical Data: IP addresses, device details, browser type, cookies, analytics data.
• Training Data: Course progress, completion records, assessments, and feedback.
• Communication Data: Emails, chat transcripts, support tickets, and call recordings where applicable.
• Consent Records: Opt-ins for marketing, profiling, and communication preferences.

3. How We Collect Your Data

We collect data through:

• Website forms (enquiry, application, contact us, newsletter signup)
• Student registration or admissions forms
• Job or internship applications
• Donations or volunteer signups
• Cookies and tracking pixels
• Third-party tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Meta Ads, CRM integrations)

4. How We Use Your Data

Your data may be used for the following purposes:

• To process admissions, applications, and course enrollments
• To deliver educational services, certifications, and support
• To verify identity and prevent fraud
• To personalize your learning experience
• To process donations and issue receipts
• To respond to inquiries and offer customer service
• To send important updates (e.g., changes to policy, course schedules)
• To send newsletters, marketing communications, and offers (only with consent)
• To comply with legal obligations and reporting requirements

5. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR Compliance)

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

• Consent: You have given clear permission for us to process your personal data.
• Contractual necessity: Data is needed to fulfill our obligations (e.g., delivering a course).
• Legal obligation: We are legally required to process data (e.g., for income tax receipts, compliance).
• Legitimate interest: We use your data for reasonable business interests that don’t override your rights (e.g., analytics, internal research).

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your data to third parties. We may share your data with:

• Internal departments (admissions, placement, academic)
• Third-party service providers (e.g., cloud platforms, payment processors, analytics providers)
• Affiliated institutions and accrediting bodies
• Government bodies or regulators, when required by law

All vendors and partners are contractually obligated to protect your data.

7. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers may be located outside India (e.g., cloud servers, email providers). We ensure adequate protection through:

• Standard contractual clauses
• Data processing agreements
• Compliance with applicable privacy laws (GDPR, PDPB, etc.)

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our websites use cookies to enhance your experience. We use:

• Essential cookies: Required for core functionality
• Performance cookies: For analytics and usage metrics
• Advertising cookies: To serve relevant ads via Facebook, Google, etc.

You may manage cookies via your browser settings or opt-out using third-party tools.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access your personal data
• Rectify inaccurate or outdated data
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Delete your data (“Right to be Forgotten”)
• Restrict processing under certain circumstances
• Object to direct marketing
• Request data portability to another provider

To exercise these rights, email: info@shahanigroup.com

10. Data Retention

We retain your data:

• As long as necessary to fulfill the purpose it was collected for
• For legal or regulatory retention periods
• For alumni records, academic certifications, and job placements

Data no longer needed is securely deleted or anonymized.

11. Data Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data, including:

• SSL encryption
• Secure servers and firewalls
• Regular data audits
• Restricted access to sensitive data
• Staff training on privacy best practices

12. Third-Party Links

Our websites may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. Please read their respective policies before sharing data.

13. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect data from children under the age of 13 (or 16, depending on jurisdiction) without parental consent. If you believe a child’s data has been provided, please contact us immediately.

14. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted here with a revised date. Material changes will be communicated via email or site notices.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this policy or your data:

Data Protection Officer
Shahani Group
5A Court Chambers, 35 New Marine Lines, Mumbai 400020
📧 info@shahanigroup.com