Terms and Conditions

1. Introduction

Welcome to the Health Education and Rural Development Society (HERDS) website. These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of our website and services. By accessing or using our website, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms:

• “Website” refers to the HERDS website accessible at herdsindia.org and any associated subdomains or mobile applications.
• “User” refers to any individual or entity accessing, browsing, or interacting with the Website.
• “HERDS” or “We” or “Us” refers to Health Education and Rural Development Society, a registered society under the Societies Registration Act.
• “Donation” refers to any voluntary monetary contribution made through the Website to support HERDS' charitable activities.
• “Services” refers to all information, content, features, and functionality provided through the Website.

3. Legal Status & Compliance

HERDS is a registered non-profit organization in India, committed to uplifting rural communities through improved healthcare, education, and sustainable development initiatives. We operate under Indian law and are registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act.

Registration & Certifications

• Society Registration: Registered under the Societies Registration Act
• 12AA Certificate: Income Tax Exemption granted under Section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961
• 80G Certificate: Donations to HERDS are eligible for tax deduction benefits under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961
• FCRA Registration: Registration No. 010160369 - Authorized to receive eligible foreign contributions under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010

The above certification details are provided for transparency and donor verification. Donors should retain all receipts and certificates issued by HERDS for their tax and record-keeping purposes.

4. Use of Website

4.1 Permitted Use

You may use our website for:

• Learning about HERDS and our programs
• Making donations to support our cause
• Contacting us for legitimate purposes
• Accessing information about our projects

4.2 Prohibited Use

You may not use our website for:

• Any unlawful or fraudulent activities
• Uploading malicious content or viruses
• Attempting to breach our security
• Interfering with other users' experience
• Any activity that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair the Website's functioning

You agree not to use the Website in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair its functioning, or interfere with any other party's use and enjoyment of the Website.

5. Donations

5.1 Donation Policy

All donations made through our website are:

• Voluntary and non-refundable
• Used for charitable purposes as per our mission
• Eligible for 80G tax deduction benefits
• Processed securely through Razorpay payment gateway

5.2 Tax Benefits

Donations are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. We will provide appropriate receipts and certificates for tax purposes.

5.3 Foreign Contributions

HERDS is registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA Registration No. 010160369) and is authorized to receive eligible foreign contributions. International donors may support our activities in accordance with Indian law and FCRA regulations. We accept foreign contributions only through compliant banking channels and approved payment methods.

If any foreign contribution is received in violation of the FCRA or through non-permitted channels, HERDS will initiate reversal or refund in accordance with applicable law. No representation is made regarding tax deductibility of donations made from outside India; donors should consult their local tax advisors regarding eligibility in their jurisdiction.

6. Privacy and Data Protection

We respect your privacy and handle your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Please read our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your information.

7. Cookies

Our Website may use essential cookies to ensure basic functionality, security, and user experience. By using the Website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy. You may control or disable cookies through your browser settings; however, disabling cookies may affect certain Website features.

8. Intellectual Property

All content on this Website, including text, images, logos, graphics, videos, and design elements, is the property of HERDS or used with permission from third parties. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, publicly display, or use our content without prior written permission from HERDS.

Unauthorized use of our intellectual property may result in legal action under applicable copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws of India.

9. Donation Refund Policy

Donations are generally non-refundable as they are promptly allocated to charitable activities. However, in cases of duplicate transactions, clear payment processing errors, or proven fraudulent use of your payment instrument, you may email us within 7 days of the transaction for review.

Refund Process: Refunds are issued only after verification and approval by HERDS. HERDS reserves the right to decline refund requests that lack sufficient proof or fall outside policy conditions. Approved refunds will be processed to the original payment method within 10–15 working days (subject to bank timelines).

If a refunded donation had a tax receipt issued, you agree not to claim the associated tax benefit under Section 80G.

10. User Representations and Warranties

By using this Website and making donations, you represent and warrant that:

• You have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
• All donations are made from lawful sources and legitimate funds
• Information you provide is accurate, complete, and up-to-date
• You will not engage in fraudulent activities, security breaches, or disruptive behavior
• You comply with all applicable Indian laws regarding charitable contributions and taxation

11. Third-Party Links and Services

The Website may link to or integrate third-party services including payment gateways, social media platforms, and external resources. We do not control and are not responsible for third-party content, availability, security, or privacy practices. Your use of third-party services is at your own discretion and risk. We encourage you to review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party services you access through our Website.

12. Termination and Suspension

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Website (including cancellation of fraudulent or abusive donations) without prior notice if we reasonably believe there is a breach of these Terms, legal or regulatory risk, security threat, or misuse of charitable resources. Provisions relating to intellectual property, limitation of liability, indemnification, governing law, and dispute resolution survive any termination of these Terms.

13. Force Majeure

“Force Majeure” means any event or circumstance beyond our reasonable control that we could not reasonably prevent, including (without limitation):

• Natural disasters (floods, cyclones, earthquakes, droughts, fires)
• Epidemics, pandemics, or public health emergencies
• Government orders, changes in law, or regulatory restrictions
• War, terrorism, civil unrest, or insurrection
• Nationwide or regional power, telecommunications, or internet outages
• Major infrastructure failures or payment gateway disruptions

During a Force Majeure event, our obligations under these Terms are suspended for the duration of the impact. We will use reasonable efforts to: (a) mitigate the effects; (b) post a notice on the Website if feasible; and (c) resume normal operations as soon as practicable. If a Force Majeure event continues for more than 60 consecutive days, either party may terminate these Terms without penalty (this does not affect donations already made).

14. Limitation of Liability

HERDS provides this Website “as is” without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We make no guarantees regarding accuracy, availability, reliability, or suitability of the Website for any purpose. To the maximum extent permitted by law, HERDS shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from your use of the Website, including but not limited to loss of data, revenue, or donations.

15. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless HERDS, its directors, officers, employees, and volunteers from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your breach of these Terms, violation of applicable laws, or misuse of the Website.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be interpreted to best reflect the original intent while complying with applicable law.

17. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any disputes, claims, or controversies arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts located at Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Before initiating legal proceedings, parties agree to attempt resolution through good-faith negotiation and mediation where appropriate.

18. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates the current version. Material changes will be prominently displayed on the Website. Your continued use of the Website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

19. Contact Information

For general questions about these Terms, please contact us:

20. Grievance Redressal

For escalation of disputes, complaints, or grievances related to these Terms: