Cookie Policy

Effective Date: August 15, 2025
Applies To: www.nationalcivilsociety.org

National Civil Society (NCS) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to provide an optimal user experience, analyze web traffic, and ensure secure and functional access to our digital platforms. This Cookie Policy outlines how and why cookies are used, and how you can manage them.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small data files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. These files remember your preferences and help improve site performance and user experience.

2. Why We Use Cookies

Cookies help National Civil Society to:

Recognize returning users
Remember form entries and login details
Analyze site usage patterns
Deliver secure and smooth service access
Personalize your browsing experience
Improve the speed and performance of our platform

3. Types of Cookies We Use

Strictly Necessary Cookies:
Enable essential website functions like login, form submissions, and payment processing.
Performance Cookies:
Gather information about how visitors use the website; e.g., most visited pages, error messages, load times.
Functionality Cookies:
Remember choices like language, region, or personal preferences to enhance user convenience.
Targeting/Analytics Cookies:
Used (in anonymized form) for performance insights, user demographics, and browsing behavior.
Third-Party Cookies:
Placed by external services (e.g., payment gateways, video plugins, map tools) embedded on our site.

4. Specific Cookies in Use

Some of the cookies our platform may set include:
- session_id: Maintains session during form filling
- csrf_token: Ensures form security against cross-site scripting
- ncs_pref_lang: Remembers user’s language choice
- analytics_id: Tracks site usage anonymously (Google Analytics or equivalent)

5. Duration of Cookies

Session Cookies: Deleted automatically when the browser is closed.
Persistent Cookies: Stored on your device for a defined period or until manually deleted.

6. Third-Party Cookie Providers

We may use services from:

Google Analytics (for traffic insights)
YouTube or Vimeo (for embedded video content)
Payment Gateways (for secure transactions)

These third-party cookies are governed by their respective privacy and cookie policies.

7. Managing and Disabling Cookies

You can control or disable cookies via browser settings:

Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Site Settings → Cookies
Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Safari: Preferences → Privacy
Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions

Disabling cookies may impact your ability to use certain features of the NCS website.

8. Consent to Use Cookies

By continuing to browse the NCS website, you consent to the placement of cookies on your device in accordance with this policy. You may withdraw consent by adjusting browser settings.

9. Cookie Consent Banner

New visitors are shown a cookie consent banner. You can:

Accept all cookies
Customize cookie preferences
Decline non-essential cookies

Your preferences are stored for future visits.

10. Data Collected Through Cookies

Cookies may collect:

IP address (anonymized)
Browser type and version
Device information
Pages visited and time spent
Geographic region (approximate)
No personally identifiable information (PII) is stored in cookies.

11. Legal Basis for Cookie Usage

Use of cookies is compliant with:

The Information Technology Act, 2000
SPDI Rules, 2011
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

12. Updates to the Cookie Policy

NCS may periodically revise this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology, law, or services. Updates will be posted here with the effective date. Continued use of the site implies acceptance of changes.

Contact Information

For questions, cookie preferences, or concerns, contact:

Data Protection & Privacy Officer
National Civil Society
Email: privacy@nationalcivilsociety.org
Phone: +91 7688802999

Address: 10/155, Block 10, Geeta Colony, Delhi-110031