1. General Provisions

1.1. By submitting a nomination or participating in the AKS Global Education Fest & Awards 2025 (“the Event”), entrants agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions.
1.2. The Event is organized and managed by AKS Education (operating as “AKS WorldWide Pvt. Ltd.”).
1.3. The organizers reserve the right to amend, update, or modify these Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice.

2. Judging & Decisions

2.1. All decisions of the judging panel, including but not limited to eligibility, qualifications, categories, and final awardees, are final, binding, and not subject to appeal.
2.2. Judging is strictly merit-based. Awards are not determined by chance or lottery.
2.3. Employees, vendors, and immediate family members of AKS Education are not eligible to participate.
2.4. The competition will be evaluated by an independent and external panel of judges, appointed at the sole discretion of the organizer.

3. Nominations & Eligibility

3.1. Participants may submit nominations in more than one category; however, a separate form is required for each category entered.
3.2. Entries must comply with applicable laws, regulations, and industry codes of practice. Any entry found to be in violation will be disqualified, and it is the responsibility of the entrant to withdraw such entries.
3.3. Only shortlisted entries will be placed before the independent panel for evaluation.

4. Property of Entries

4.1. All materials submitted as part of an entry become the sole property of AKS Education.
4.2. The organizer is not responsible for loss, damage, or destruction of submitted materials.

5. License & Usage Rights

5.1. By submitting an entry, entrants grant AKS Education an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, publish, and distribute the entry and associated materials for promotional, educational, or reference purposes.
5.2. Entries may be showcased in print, digital, broadcast, or live events, including award ceremonies, marketing campaigns, and promotional materials.
5.3. Entrants who do not consent to these rights must withdraw their entries before submission.

6. Warranties

6.1. Entrants warrant that their submissions are original, do not infringe on any copyright or intellectual property rights, and that all necessary permissions and usage rights have been obtained.
6.2. Entrants warrant that all information provided is accurate and true.

7. Indemnity & Non-Liability

7.1. Entrants agree to indemnify and hold harmless AKS Education from any claims, costs, or damages (including legal fees) arising from breach of warranties, rights violations, or misrepresentation.
7.2. AKS Education shall not be held liable for technical failures, incomplete entries, or events beyond its reasonable control.

8. Right to Reject or Reclassify

8.1. AKS Education reserves the right to reject any entry or reassign it to another category if deemed appropriate.

9. Participation Fee

9.1. Submitting a nomination does not guarantee an award. Only selected awardees are required to pay the participation fee.
9.2. The participation fee is essential to sustain the initiative, covering costs such as venue, awards ceremony, trophies, staffing, and the gala dinner.

10. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

10.1. These Terms shall be governed by the laws of India.
10.2. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in India.

11. Audit & Fairness

11.1. The process will be overseen by an independent auditor to ensure fairness, integrity, and transparency.

12. Awards Notification & Collection

12.1. Winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony at the designated venue and date, with advance notification provided via email or phone.
12.2. Awards are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
12.3. Winners who cannot attend the ceremony will have their awards delivered by courier. Shipping and handling costs may apply.
12.4. Finalists and winners must present valid identification when required.

13. Event Changes, Cancellation & Refunds

13.1. In case of unforeseen circumstances (e.g., force majeure, natural calamities, or government restrictions), the organizers may cancel, postpone, or substantially modify the Event.
13.2. In such cases, participants will receive a credit note equivalent to the participation fee paid, redeemable for AKS Education services or products. No monetary refunds will be issued.
13.3. AKS Education is not responsible for travel, accommodation, or additional expenses incurred by participants in the event of changes.

14. Venue Rules & Permissions

14.1. Attendees must comply with the rules and regulations of the event venue and organizers.
14.2. By attending, participants consent to filming, photography, and audio recording for documentation and promotional purposes.

15. Responsibility of Entrants

15.1. Entrants are solely responsible for ensuring their contact details are accurate and updated in their account records.
15.2. All official communication will be sent to the details provided at the time of registration.