Kisan Sarathi Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to your (“User” or “You” or “Your”) access and use of Kisan Sarathi website, mobile application and Expert Application (“Kisan Sarathi Platform” or “We” or “Our”) and the Services provided therein and detailed under the Terms of Service. The Privacy Policy and Terms of Service shall be read together, and any terms not covered in the Privacy Policy shall be governed by the Terms of Service.

Objective:

The Kisan Sarathi Platform empowers users with personalized agricultural advice, real-time weather updates, and market prices to support informed decisions. It offers access to government schemes, webinars on sustainable farming, and expert guidance from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) professionals. With easy registration and multilingual support, it promotes productivity and sustainable agriculture across India.

Using the platform involves collecting personal data, which we protect with strict privacy measures. This policy details the data collected, collection methods, responsible parties, and usage. By registering, you agree to this Privacy Policy and the Terms of Service.

Definitions:

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms used in this Privacy Policy shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Terms of Use. Additional definitions relevant to this Privacy Policy are provided below.

• Call Recordings: Refers to the audio and/or video recordings of consultations between Experts and Users conducted through the Kisan Sarathi Platform.
• Data Fiduciary: shall mean ICAR which dictates the purpose and means of processing Personal Data, as well as designating Experts within the Kisan Sarathi ecosystem.
• Data Processor: shall include DIC or any person or entity or third party partners etc. who may process Your Personal Data on behalf of the Data Fiduciary.
• Data Principal: the individual to whom the personal data relates, including farmers using the Kisan Sarathi Platform and individuals who have shared the data with Experts.
• Expert Application: Shall mean the mobile application and associated services designed for ICAR-affiliated KVK professionals to provide agricultural advisories and support to Users.
• Expert: Any individual, particularly certified professionals from ICAR or affiliated Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), who accesses or uses the Expert Application to provide Services to Users.
• Forum Content: Includes all user-generated and expert-generated text, images, videos, and other media contributed to the Discussion Forum feature of the Kisan Sarathi Platform.
• ICAR: Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK): Agricultural science centres established by ICAR to provide various agricultural services, including expert support.
• Platform(s): Kisan Call Center (KCC), Common Service Center (CSC), PM Kisan Saman Nidhi (PM Kisan), Indian Metrological Department (IMD), my Scheme, National language Translation Mission (BHASINI).
• Personal Data: Personal Data means any data about the User who is identifiable by or in relation to such data.
• Services: Services shall mean all services provided to the Users of Kisan Sarathi Platform.
• Webinar Data: Encompasses details related to scheduled webinars, notifications, recorded sessions, User comments, attendee feedback, and registration tracking.

Data Collected

When You use Kisan Sarathi Platform, We may collect your Personal Data to enhance Your experience and provide Our Services. This shall include, but is not limited to:

• Identifying Data (Mandatory): Name, mobile number, location (automatically collected), gender, village.
• Non-Identifying Data (Non-Mandatory): domain, soil type, crop type, device type, etc.
• Farmer Profile Data: Detailed demographic information, landholding specifics, and cropping patterns.
• Query and Communication Data: Content of queries submitted by Users, expert responses, and communication logs.
• Call Recordings: Audio and video consultations.
• Advisory Content Data: Content generated and delivered by Experts.
• Discussion Forum Data: Forum posts, images, videos, multilingual content.
• Webinar Participation Data: Registration, attendance, feedback.
• Expert App Usage Data: Logs, reports, analytics.
• Expert Credentials and Access Data: Identity, designation, access logs.
• Integrated Service Data: Data exchange with platforms like e-NAM and MyScheme.

Device Permissions

• Location Access: For weather, crop and market info.
• Notification Access: Real-time alerts for prices, weather, webinars.
• File Manager Access: Upload/download forms, images, documents.
• Camera Access: Capture and upload crop images, documents.

How We Use Collected Data

• Access to Services
• User Support
• Communication and Notifications
• Account Management
• Legal Compliance
• Platform Improvement
• New Services Development
• Quality Assurance and Scientific Intervention
• Knowledge Dissemination
• Market Intelligence and Scheme Navigation

Data Sharing

We do not share Your Personal Data with companies, organizations, or individuals outside of Kisan Sarathi Platform except in the following cases:

• Legal Reasons: For compliance with laws, regulations or to prevent unlawful activities.
• With Your Consent: When explicitly agreed by you.
• External Processing: Trusted third parties under confidentiality agreements.
• Specific Integrations: CDAC (communication), UMANG/CSC/KCC (services), YouTube (webinars).

Cookies Policy

Kisan Sarathi itself does not directly use cookies for tracking user browsing activity. Integrated third-party services (e.g., YouTube) may independently use cookies.

Your Rights

• Access and view profile data anytime
• Delete account if no longer using the platform
• Withdraw consent anytime; all data will be deleted or anonymized
• Correct, modify, or update your data if inaccurate
• Register a nominee for posthumous access

Retention of Data

We retain data only as long as necessary. Inactive accounts may be deleted after 5 years. Aggregated or anonymized data may be used indefinitely for analysis.

Security Measures

We use encryption, access controls, intrusion detection, and audits. Users are responsible for safeguarding their credentials. Security incidents will be promptly addressed.

Grievance Redressal

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated or have questions about this policy, please contact: support.sarathi@icar.gov.in