1. Introduction

This Data Protection & Privacy Policy outlines how PEAR Academy Australia and its Indian operations, PEAR Academy Australasia LLP, manage the collection, use, storage, and sharing of personal data for participants of the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) in India. As the authorised reseller for Janison Solutions Pty Ltd, PEAR Academy is committed to handling all personal information in accordance with Indian regulations and global best practices.

2. Who This Policy Applies To

This policy applies to all individuals and institutions involved in ICAS assessments in India, including:

• Students participating in ICAS (via schools or independently)
• Parents or guardians completing or authorising registration
• School administrators, ICAS coordinators, and teachers
• Invigilators and test day support staff

3. What Information We Collect

We collect the following types of data to facilitate accurate registration, test delivery, and reporting:

Student Information

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Grade/year level
• School name

Parent/Guardian Information (for independent entries)

• Full name (child)
• Contact number
• Email address

Assessment Data

• Subjects selected
• Test responses and scores
• Certificates and medals awarded

School & Coordinator Details

• · School name and postal address
• T· Coordinator's name, phone number, and emails

4. How We Collect Your Data

Data is collected through the following secure and authorised channels:

• Online registration portals operated by PEAR Academy
• Registration forms submitted by schools
• Direct registration by parents or guardians
• Payment gateways and associated systems for enrolment verification

5. Why We Collect This Data

The primary purposes for data collection are:

• Registration and enrolment into ICAS assessments
• Administration of assessments in schools and test centres
• Generation of performance reports, certificates, and results
• Issuance of medals and recognitions
• Sending updates and reminders related to assessment dates
• Internal analysis to improve service quality and operations

6. Data Sharing

We share limited personal data only with trusted parties essential to test delivery:

6.1 Janison Solutions Pty Ltd (Australia)

Janison is the developer of the ICAS assessments and manages the secure platform used for computer-based testing (CBT). They require student name, grade/year, subject, and school details to facilitate test access and scoring. Data is encrypted and used solely for assessment-related purposes.

6.2 School Staff

Designated ICAS coordinators and invigilators receive access to limited student data for scheduling, supervision, and result distribution.

6.3 Legal or Regulatory Authorities

We may share data when legally obligated under Indian law. Personal data is never sold, traded, or used for marketing or promotional purposes unrelated to the ICAS program. All data sharing complies with strict privacy protocols and agreements between PEAR Academy (as the authorised reseller for Janison Solutions) and participating schools.

7. Consent to Use Data

Consent is obtained through the following means:

• Institutional consent from schools during group registration
• Explicit parental/guardian consent during individual sign-ups
• Implied consent by participation in the ICAS assessment

8. Data Storage & Retention

We take appropriate measures to securely store and retain personal data:

• Data is stored on encrypted and access-controlled servers
• Retained only as long as necessary for assessment and legal compliance
• Data is permanently deleted or anonymised once its purpose is fulfilled

9. Information Security

We use robust and industry-standard practices to protect your data, including:

• SSL encryption for data storage and transmission
• Password-protected systems and access controls
• Secure servers and data handling platforms
• Internal access limited to authorised personnel only

10. Your Rights

Participants (or their parents/guardians) have the right to:

• Access their personal data held by PEAR Academy
• Request corrections or updates to personal information
• Withdraw consent prior to the assessment date
• Request deletion of data, subject to regulatory requirements

To exercise these rights, please contact:

Email: icas@pearacademy.in

11. Contact & Grievance Redressal

For inquiries or concerns regarding your data, contact:

• PEAR Academy Australasia LLP (India Operations)
  Identification Number: AAM-8780
• Email: icas@pearacademy.org
• Phone: +91 97404 84747
• We aim to respond within 7 working days.

12. Policy Updates

This policy may be revised from time to time based on legal, operational, or technological changes.

• Updates will be published at: www.icas.pearacademy.org
• Registered schools will be notified of major changes via email or platform notifications.

13. Alignment with Indian Context

This policy may be revised from time to time based on legal, operational, or technological changes.

• This policy complies with the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 and reflects the principles of India’s upcoming Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
• Consent mechanisms are tailored to Indian practices, allowing for school-authorised group registrations and explicit parental consent for individual entries.
• A dedicated India-based Data Protection Officer ensures local grievance handling and compliance, with responses provided within 7 working days.
• Cross-border data transfers to Janison Solutions (Australia)—where ICAS exams are delivered through their secure platform—are limited in scope, encrypted during transmission, and conducted in full compliance with Indian legal requirements.
• All practices respect the operational realities of Indian schools and prioritise ethical handling of student data without marketing or promotional misuse.