This Privacy Policy explains what personal data BecomeIAS collects, why, who we share it with, and the choices and rights you have. It applies to www.becomeias.com, our chat and WhatsApp support, and related BecomeIAS channels (the "Service").
BecomeIAS is a brand of Zinkpot Technologies Private Limited, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India ("BecomeIAS", "we", "us"). For the purposes of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 ("DPDP Act"), we are the Data Fiduciary for your personal data.
By using the Service and giving consent where we ask for it, you agree to the processing described here. Please read it with our Terms of Use.
1. Data we collect
We collect only what we need to run the Service.
| Type | Examples | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Account details | Name, email, mobile number, password (stored encrypted), login via Google | You |
| Profile and preferences | Target exam and year, optional subjects, language, state | You |
| Study activity | MCQ attempts and scores, questions viewed, bookmarks, progress | Your use of the Service |
| Your Content | Mains answers typed or uploaded as images, ZP.AI chat messages, doubts sent to support | You |
| Payment details | Plan, amount, transaction ID, payment status (card and UPI details stay with the payment gateway) | You and payment gateway |
| Communications | Emails, WhatsApp and chat messages with our team | You |
| Device and usage data | IP address, browser, device type, pages visited, approximate location, crash logs | Automatically, via cookies and analytics |
We do not ask for sensitive details such as Aadhaar, caste, religion or health information. Please do not include them in answers or chats.
2. How we use your data
We process your data on the basis of your consent, or for legitimate uses permitted by Section 7 of the DPDP Act, such as providing a service you asked for or meeting a legal duty.
| Purpose | Basis |
|---|---|
| Create and manage your account, give access to features | Consent; service you requested |
| Evaluate Mains answers, power ZP.AI and personalise practice | Consent; service you requested |
| Process payments, issue invoices, handle refunds | Service you requested; legal obligation (GST, accounting) |
| Answer doubts and support requests | Service you requested |
| Send service messages (login codes, billing, policy changes) | Service you requested |
| Send study updates, offers and newsletters by email, SMS or WhatsApp | Consent (you can opt out anytime) |
| Improve content, questions and AI quality using anonymised data | Consent |
| Detect fraud, abuse and security threats; enforce our Terms | Legitimate use; legal obligation |
| Comply with law, court orders and Government requests | Legal obligation |
We do not sell your personal data.
3. AI processing
When you submit a Mains answer or chat with ZP.AI, the text (and any image you upload, converted to text) is sent to third-party AI model providers to generate evaluations, feedback and replies.
- We send only the content needed for the task, not your name, email or phone number.
- Our AI providers process this data on our instructions and under contracts that bar them from using it to train their own models.
- We may keep anonymised answers and scores to improve our questions and evaluation quality. Anonymised data cannot be linked back to you.
- Evaluation results are automated. They do not produce legal or similarly significant effects on you, and you can always ask our team about any result at doubts@becomeias.com.
4. Cookies, analytics and advertising
We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, understand how the Service is used, and show ads.
| Cookie type | Purpose | Can you turn it off? |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Login, security, saving progress | No, the Service needs them |
| Analytics | Google Analytics measures visits and feature use | Yes, via our cookie banner |
| Advertising | Google AdSense may show ads and use cookies to personalise them | Yes, via our cookie banner or Google Ad Settings |
You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings, though some features may stop working. Learn how Google uses data from partner sites at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.
5. Who we share data with
We share personal data only with service providers (Data Processors) who help us run the Service, under contracts that require them to protect it and use it only for our purposes.
| Recipient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cloud hosting and database providers ([name]) | Storing the website, accounts and data |
| AI model providers ([name, e.g. Anthropic]) | Answer evaluation and ZP.AI replies |
| Payment gateways ([name, e.g. Razorpay]) | Processing subscription payments |
| Google (Analytics, AdSense, Sign-in) | Usage statistics, ads, login |
| Email, SMS and WhatsApp messaging providers | Sending service and study messages |
| Professional advisers (auditors, lawyers) | Accounting, tax and legal compliance |
| Government or law enforcement | Only when required by law or a valid order |
If BecomeIAS or Zinkpot Technologies is merged, acquired or restructured, your data may pass to the new entity, which will remain bound by this policy.
6. Storage, retention and security
Where data is stored. Your data is stored on secure servers in India and, through some service providers, in other countries. Any transfer outside India follows the DPDP Act and any restrictions notified by the Government of India.
How long we keep it.
| Data | Kept for |
|---|---|
| Account, profile and study activity | While your account is active; deleted within 30 days of account deletion |
| Your answers and chats | While your account is active, or until you delete them |
| Payment and invoice records | 8 years, as required by tax and accounting laws |
| Support messages | Up to 2 years after the query is closed |
| Anonymised data | May be kept indefinitely, as it no longer identifies you |
| Inactive accounts | Deleted after [3 years] of no login, with prior notice |
Security. We use HTTPS encryption, encrypted passwords, access controls and regular reviews to protect your data. No system is fully secure. If a personal data breach occurs, we will inform affected users and the Data Protection Board of India as required by law.
7. Your rights
Under the DPDP Act, you have the right to:
- Access a summary of the personal data we hold about you and how we process it.
- Correct and update inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Erase your data when it is no longer needed, subject to legal retention duties.
- Withdraw consent at any time, as easily as you gave it. This does not affect processing already done, but some features may stop working.
- Opt out of marketing messages using the unsubscribe link or by replying STOP on WhatsApp.
- Nominate another person to exercise your rights in the event of your death or incapacity.
- Raise a grievance with us, and then with the Data Protection Board of India if you are not satisfied.
To use any of these rights, email doubts@becomeias.com from your registered email, or use the settings in your account. We will respond within 30 days and may need to verify your identity first.
8. Changes to this policy. We may update this policy as the Service or the law changes. We will post the new version here with a new effective date and, for significant changes, notify you by email or on the website before they apply.
9. Grievance Officer and contact
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|
| Privacy requests and doubts | doubts@becomeias.com |
| General queries | contact@becomeias.com |
| Chat and WhatsApp | +91 91163 31978 |