1. Scope, Acceptance, & Binding Agreement:
By joining, subscribing, volunteering, or participating in any capacity be it through events, initiatives, cybersecurity training programs, digital consultations, awareness campaigns, task force activities, investigations support, or other community engagement each individual ("Member" or "Volunteer") expressly agrees to be bound by this comprehensive Terms & Conditions (collectively, "Terms") without exception. These Terms govern every aspect of the relationship between you and CSIB, extending to the obligations, responsibilities, limitations, and privileges you hold as a participant in our mission-driven cyber-awareness ecosystem. You acknowledge that these Terms are binding, enforceable, and accepted by virtue of your actions this includes but is not limited to your membership payment, completion of onboarding forms, access to online portals, delivery of presentations, or attendance at CSIB-sponsored events.

CRITICAL WARNING: Failure to comply with any clause herein may result in immediate suspension, revocation of membership or volunteer status, and forfeiture of any associated rights including but not limited to access to courses, workshops, toolkits, digital resources, badges, ID cards, or certificates.

2. Independent Entity & No Legal Authority:
CSIB is a private, independent, non-governmental entity with ZERO law enforcement or official investigatory power. We are not affiliated, associated, or connected with any law enforcement, government agency, or legal authority including any police department, cyber cell, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), or similar legal authority. Our role is strictly educational, advisory, and community-oriented. We do not perform arrests, raids, or direct interventions. Members and Volunteers are expressly reminded even when operating under CSIB's banner in public awareness drives, workshops, or local task teams that they hold no legal powers, no enforcement authority, and no status as legal representatives. At no point are CSIB Volunteers entitled to arrest individuals, conduct raids, issue legal notices, or subpoena information. Any representation to the contrary is expressly forbidden. We make this crystal clear to all users, visitors, and members to avoid any legal misunderstanding.

3. Membership, Fees, & Core Financial Provision:
Membership: Eligibility to access any CSIB resource including volunteer programs mandates active membership. Membership is strictly voluntary and clearly does not guarantee employment, salary, stipend, or any financial benefit of any kind. Our ecosystem is built on community contribution, knowledge sharing, and pro bono service financial compensation is explicitly not part of the arrangement. Any individual joining CSIB under a membership program understands and agrees that they are not entitled to a job offer, salary, or financial compensation by default.

NON‑REFUNDABILITY CLAUSE: YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT ALL FEES, DONATIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS, DEPOSITS, AND PAYMENTS MADE TO CSIB ARE ABSOLUTELY, UNEQUIVOCALLY, AND IRREVOCABLY NON‑REFUNDABLE, irrespective of circumstances. This includes, but is not limited to, program cancellation, inability to participate, voluntary withdrawal, dissatisfaction, or any other reason. No partial, prorated, or full refunds will be issued for any reason whatsoever. Your act of paying or donating acknowledges full acceptance of this strict non‑refund policy. This clause overrides any verbal or implied statement otherwise, except where legally prohibited by applicable consumer law.

4. Volunteer Program: Empowering Cyber Warriors:
CSIB's volunteer initiative attracts individuals from diverse backgrounds students, educators, cybersecurity aspirants, social activists, and professionals united by a shared mission: to foster a cyber-aware, resilient community and support non-official investigative efforts across the nation. The roles and responsibilities are intentionally broad, encompassing but not limited to:

Cyber Awareness Campaigns: Volunteers design and execute campaigns (webinars, workshops, school/college events), create and distribute educational pamphlets/booklets/posters, and serve as CSIB Cyber-Awareness Volunteers representing the organization in their localities.

Investigation Support (Non-Official): In supervised environments, volunteers provide assistance in gathering open-source intelligence (OSINT), documenting digital evidence, identifying red flags such as scams or phishing, and guiding victims through the process of reporting to law enforcement. Legal authority remains entirely with official agencies at all times.

Community Engagement: Volunteers establish and nurture local task teams, coordinate information booths at fairs and events, and act as the public voice of CSIB delivering case studies, disaster-response awareness, and success stories that demonstrate our community impact.

Content Creation & Research: Volunteers author articles, produce informational guides, design infographics and reels, translate content into regional languages, and research evolving cyber threats to create new awareness resources.

Technical Support (Advanced Volunteers): Those with relevant IT or cybersecurity expertise may participate in digital-forensics under supervision, vulnerability-testing exercises, Capture-the-Flag (CTF) events, tool development, or contribute to our open-source security platforms.

Training & Education Support: Passionate educators help design e-learning modules, deliver awareness sessions to diverse audiences (children, parents, elderly), craft quizzes and mentor new volunteers, enhancing CSIB's outreach capability.

Social Media & Online Engagement: Volunteers may help manage CSIB's digital presence, create and schedule social content, launch youth challenge campaigns, and grow our online following through consistent and engaging awareness messages.

Recognition & Rewards: Volunteers earn intangible but meaningful rewards, including digital and physical recognition: official ID cards, certificates of contribution, complimentary access to training resources, internship opportunities, networking with industry professionals, and possible elevation to State or District Coordinator status.

5. Identity Verification, Privacy, & Anonymity:
CSIB allows volunteers to represent the organization with or without disclosure of their identity in public-facing activities; however, all members must disclose their real identity to the core CSIB team for internal verification and contact details must be provided to the core CSIB administration for internal verification. All personal data is stored in secure systems per our Privacy Policy and applicable law, with disclosures made only under legal compulsion or with explicit consent. We store this data securely and will not disclose it unless required by law. CSIB never collects, leaks, or shares private information without consent. All investigations or case consultations are based on publicly available or voluntarily submitted data. We strictly prohibit unauthorized surveillance, hacking, unauthorized access, or collection of personal data. Activities must rely solely on OSINT, voluntarily shared data, or public information. Any breach technical or ethical can lead to immediate termination.

6. Conduct Standards, Ethics & Liability:
Members and volunteers must maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct and are personally responsible for maintaining ethics and lawfulness in their actions. Strict compliance with Indian cyber law, constitutional principles, and CSIB Core Values is mandatory:

Legal & Ethical Boundaries: No unauthorized hacking, data intrusion, defamation, doxxing, harassment, discrimination, hate speech, or violations of privacy may occur under the CSIB banner.

Prohibition of Misuse: Only CSIB‑approved materials and guides may be used publicly or online. Volunteers must avoid spreading misinformation and refrain from misrepresenting CSIB's stance, position, or methods.

Disciplinary Action: In the event of misconduct, misrepresentation of authority, unauthorized financial or technical activity, or damage to CSIB's reputation, CSIB reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend or terminate membership, revoke certifications, bar participation, and pursue legal action. Under no circumstance will any funds or deposits be refunded.

Dispute & Grievance Resolution: Concerns or complaints may be submitted via CSIB's official channels. CSIB promises reply within 15 days and resolution within 45 days, subject to the complexity of the matter. However, awaiting such resolution does not constitute grounds for refund of any fees or suspension of Terms.

7. Zero Liability Clause:
Except as mandated by law, CSIB, its directors, stakeholders, volunteers, and affiliates shall not be liable for any damages direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential arising from membership, volunteer activity, participation in events, use of content, technical guidance, courses, online forums, or any other aspect of engagement with CSIB. CSIB is not liable for any actions taken by individuals misusing our name or acting beyond our stated policy. If any member is found violating rules, indulging in illegal activity, or falsely representing CSIB, their membership will be immediately terminated, and necessary steps will be taken to report them. By continuing your relationship, you indemnify CSIB against all claims, including legal costs, suits, fines, or other penalties that may arise from breach of these Terms or misuse of CSIB's name, resources, or branding.

8. Termination & Access Revocation:
CSIB reserves the full right to suspend or terminate any member without prior notice for any of the following reasons:
- Violation of CSIB policies or ethics
- Misuse of tools or data
- False claims or impersonation
- Activities harmful to CSIB's reputation

9. Anonymous but Accountable:
While we value privacy, we maintain internal records. Any anonymous work must still comply with our verification process. We keep our operations clean, transparent, and fully compliant with cyber laws.

10. Intellectual Property & Use of Materials:
All content documents, presentations, guides, visuals, courses, logos, slogans, and toolkits are proprietary to CSIB or licensed third parties. They are protected by relevant intellectual property laws and are for non-commercial, educational use only. Unauthorized reproduction, resale, upload, or distribution even for non-profit purposes is explicitly prohibited without express written consent. Volunteers may share CSIB material only in approved formats and within contexts that align with our mission. All content shared by CSIB, including case studies, examples, and investigations, are meant for educational, awareness, or public interest only. We do not encourage or support illegal activity in any form. Violation may result in legal action and immediate revocation of privileges without refund.

11. No Legal Duty to Act:
CSIB provides consultation and educational services only. We do not promise or guarantee the resolution of any cybercrime, legal relief, or formal investigation. We advise victims to contact their respective law enforcement agencies for official action.

12. External Affiliations & Representation:
If you are joining or representing any team or organization other than CSIB, you must inform the CSIB core team. While we have no objection to members being part of other groups, if you hold a CSIB ID card or represent CSIB in any capacity, you are expected to uphold and represent CSIB's values during awareness programs or public engagements. Any violation of this policy may result in immediate termination of your membership.

13. Amendments, Notifications & Effective Date:
CSIB reserves the unilateral right to amend, modify, or supplement these Terms at any time. Notice of changes will be published on our website and sent by email to registered Members. Continued participation after notice constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. The effective date of the current version is June 30, 2025, and this supersedes all prior versions or communications.

14. Jurisdiction & Legal Governance:
All disputes, interpretations, or proceedings concerning these Terms shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, India. Any legal action must be initiated in the courts of competent jurisdiction located within this territory. Should any clause of these Terms be found unenforceable or invalid by a competent court, such clause shall be severed or reformed to hold as close to the original intent as possible, while the remaining provisions remain fully effective.

15. Acknowledgement & Signature Clause:
By completing membership payment, submitting an application, volunteering, attending orientations, or otherwise representing CSIB, you affirm:
- You have read, understood, and fully agree to all Terms herein.
- You expressly acknowledge the absolute non‑refundability of all fees.
- You hold no expectation of employment, salary, stipend, or financial compensation.
- You commit to perform volunteer roles ethically, lawfully, and responsibly.
- You consent to internal identity verification and data processing.
- You accept CSIB's right to enforce these Terms by disciplinary, legal, or operational means.
- You indemnify CSIB and its associates against any and all liabilities arising from your participation.

16. Final Note of Responsibility:
Anyone misusing CSIB's name or pretending to be a legal authority under our banner will be held personally responsible. We have clearly explained our limitations, roles, and disclaimers. CSIB will not be held responsible for individual misuse or independent actions by any volunteer or member.

FINAL WARNING: This policy is designed to protect both CSIB and its community from legal confusion, misuse, and unintended consequences. We believe in ethical hacking, legal boundaries, and full transparency. This comprehensive policy framework ensures legal compliance while fostering a responsible cyber-awareness community dedicated to education, ethics, and public service.

This policy is designed to protect both CSIB and its community from legal confusion, misuse, and unintended consequences. We believe in ethical hacking, legal boundaries, and full transparency.