1 Introduction

Welcome to Sonch.in, a proprietary learning and assessment platform operated by VKITES ("we," "our," or "us"). By accessing or using this website, mobile application, or related services ("Platform"), you agree to comply with and be legally bound by these Terms & Conditions ("Terms").

2 Compliance with Laws (Including DPDP Act, 2023)

By using the Platform, you agree to comply with all applicable Indian laws, including:

• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) - Governs personal data processing
• Information Technology Act, 2000 and associated rules
• Applicable consumer protection and cyber security laws
• Educational regulatory frameworks

3 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform independently. Users below 18 may use the Platform only under the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian.

4 Minors & Parental Consent (DPDP Compliance)

Since Sonch is primarily used by K–12 students, we adhere to strict regulations:

• We require verifiable parental or guardian consent before collecting personal data from any user under 18
• No behavioural tracking, targeted advertising, or profiling of minors is permitted under DPDP Act
• Parents/guardians are fully responsible for the minor's activity on the Platform
• Consent records are maintained as per legal requirements

5 Account Creation & Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials
• All activity occurring under your account
• Providing accurate and current information
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access

6 Intellectual Property Rights

The Platform and all associated content—including text, questions, explanations, images, code, software, assessments, analytics, AI-generated content, UI/UX, trademarks, and branding—are the exclusive intellectual property of VKITES.

Strictly Prohibited:

• Copying or reproducing any content
• Reverse engineering or scraping data
• Redistributing questions, videos, study materials, or analytics
• Creating derivative works
• Commercial exploitation without permission

7 Usage Rules & Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

• Access the Platform through unauthorized means
• Circumvent security mechanisms or attempt to hack the system
• Use bots, scripts, scrapers, or automated tools
• Distribute or publish content from the Platform
• Engage in fraud, impersonation, or harassment
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Interfere with Platform operations

Any such actions will result in immediate suspension and possible legal action.

8 Payments, Billing & Refund Policy

Payments are processed securely via Razorpay. By purchasing services, you authorize VKITES to charge your payment method.

Refund Policy:

• Payments are generally non-refundable
• If questions/content are incorrect or defective, you may request replacement content of equal value within 7 days
• Refunds are processed only in exceptional circumstances at our discretion
• Processing fees, if any, are non-refundable

9 Data Protection & Privacy (DPDP Act)

We process personal data in accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Key principles include:

• Processing only with free, specific, informed consent
• Strict protection of children's data with verifiable parental consent
• Right to access, correction, erasure, and grievance redressal
• No tracking or targeted advertising for minors
• Data minimization and purpose limitation
• Reasonable security safeguards

Full details are available in our Privacy Policy.

10 Service Availability & Limitation of Liability

Service Disclaimer:

We strive to provide uninterrupted access but do not guarantee:

• Continuous or error-free availability
• 100% accuracy of all question answers or explanations
• Specific academic outcomes or exam results
• Compatibility with all devices or browsers

Limitation of Liability:

To the fullest extent permitted by law, VKITES is not liable for:

• Loss of data or privacy breaches beyond reasonable control
• Loss of profits, academic performance, or exam outcomes
• Service interruptions or technical failures
• Unauthorized access due to user negligence
• Third-party actions or content

Use of the Platform is at your own risk.

11 Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access immediately for:

• Violations of these Terms
• Illegal or fraudulent activity
• Misuse of the Platform or intellectual property
• Non-payment of fees
• Requests by law enforcement

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately.

12 Dispute Resolution

All disputes shall be resolved through arbitration under the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Legal proceedings, if any, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

13 Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms occasionally to reflect:

• Changes in laws or regulations
• New features or services
• Business requirements
• User feedback

We will notify users of material changes via email or platform notification. Continued use of the Platform indicates acceptance of revised Terms.

14 Contact Information