1.2 Awards Management/Management: Virgo Communications & Bennett Coleman and Company Limited and/or organizers responsible for the overall conduct of the Award
1.3 Participant: Any organization/person that submits an application or is nominated by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd (BCCL) to participate in the Awards
1.4 Application Form: The entry for the Award is determined by the fully completed form submitted online by the Participant
1.5 Jury: A group of experts identified by Awards Management for evaluation/review of entries based on predefined criteria
1.6 Terms and Conditions (“T&C” or “Terms”): The terms governing the Awards, subject to amendments by Awards Management
2. Website and its T&C & Privacy
2.1 By participating in the Awards, the Participant agrees to abide by and be bound by these Terms.
2.2 These Terms may be modified without prior notice. Participants should regularly review these Terms on the Website. If there is any disagreement, the Participant should refrain from participating.
2.3 The Awards process, categories, and gratification may be modified, split, merged, increased, decreased, or canceled based on the number and quality of entries.
2.4 Awards Management reserves the right to add or remove nominations in any category based on the quality of entries.
2.5 If no Participants meet the inclusion criteria, the Awards Management may cancel the award, and their decision will be final and binding.
3. Objective of the Award
3.1 The Stainless-Steel Excellence Awards, aimed at strengthening the connection between stainless steel manufacturers and their buyers, while promoting the material’s significance across various sectors. These awards will recognize and celebrate excellence in stainless steel applications and innovations, particularly among leading buyer sectors and their manufacturing achievements.
4. Eligibility Criteria
General Eligibility Criteria applicable across all categories:
4.1 The entity must have a registered presence and operations in India for a minimum of 2 years as on December 31, 2024.
4.2 The entity should mention the innovation of the organization that has been launched and the impact of which falls between January 01, 2022, to December 31, 2024.
4.3 The innovation applied for the awards should be pertaining to the usage of stainless steel in the manufacturing of a product/packaging/service, etc., in the past two years.
4.4 Must fit within the defined categories of Large Enterprises or MSMEs:
Large Enterprises: Companies with an annual turnover exceeding ₹500 crore.
MSMEs or Small Businesses: Companies fitting within the Indian definition of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (Investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed ₹125 crore, and turnover does not exceed ₹500 crore).
4.5 The Jury holds the right to disqualify any application which does not meet the eligibility criteria. The Jury’s decisions are final and binding on all Participants and cannot be challenged in any manner whatsoever.
4.6 Participation in the Awards is subject to defined rules and regulations available on the website mentioned above.
4.7 The Award categories may be changed, modified, split, merged, increased, or canceled by the Award Management and/or Jury based on the number of entries received in any category, and the quality of the entries. The decision in this regard will be final, non-contestable, and binding on all participants. The Award Management will not entertain any queries in this regard.
4.8 It is mandatory for the Participants to answer all questions pertaining to the category selected.
4.9 Employees and immediate family members of the Awards Management, sponsors, and partners of the awards are not allowed to participate in the Awards.
4.10 The Awards Management may modify the eligibility criteria from time to time with retrospective effect, without prior written notification.
5. Winner Selection Process
5.1 The entries that qualify based on the defined eligibility criteria shall be presented to the Jury. The decision by the Jury, as confirmed by Awards Management, shall be final and binding.
5.2 The shortlisted entries, as well as the winning entries, may be featured or covered by the Awards Management, or a brief thereof may be featured on the Website and/or any other platform/media at the sole discretion of the Awards Management.
5.3 No correspondence of whatsoever nature relating to the shortlisting of entries or selection of winning entries shall be entertained.
5.4 Awards Management shall screen or display the entries for the Jury.
5.5 The Jury shall select the top finalists along with the winners.
6. Winner Declaration
6.1 The Awards Management reserves the right to offer or withdraw any of the prizes/rewards/gratification/awards as provided herein, at any point in time, including after they have been announced.
6.2 Awards Management shall have the liberty, but not the obligation, to publish information with respect to the submission/entries made by the Participants.
6.3 Participants declare that the details furnished in the application form and supporting documents submitted for the awards are true, correct, and complete. If any information is found to be false, misleading, or misrepresenting, the Participant will be liable for any consequences, including indemnifying the Awards Management for any losses incurred.
6.4 The Participant authorizes the Awards Management to use the content submitted as part of nomination/participation, in whole or in part, and display such content through various media formats including websites, social media, and press releases.
6.5 The Awards Management may exclude a Participant from the Awards at its sole discretion due to unfitness, failure to provide identity documentation, or any other reason that could impact the Awards.
6.6 The Awards Management is not responsible if a call to a winner is unsuccessful due to:
a. Line being busy
b. Congestion
c. No answer received
d. Poor call conditions/unclear reception
e. Number engaged
f. Call drop
g. E-mail not delivered
h. Other reasons rendering the call unsuccessful
6.7 The Awards Management reserves the right to replace any winner who is disqualified, unable to participate, or breaches the terms, with another eligible Participant.
6.8 The Awards Management will attempt to contact winners within 30 days from winner declaration. If a winner cannot be reached after three attempts, the award may be forfeited and given to the next eligible Participant.
6.9 The Awards Management will use the e-mail registered for the Awards to identify winners. If the winner fails to provide the required identification proof, they may be disqualified.
6.10 While the Awards Management will attempt to contact all winners, it cannot guarantee successful communication and reserves the right to proceed with other eligible Participants.
6.11 Awards Management shall not be liable for any Participant unable to take part in the Awards for any reason and may disqualify such Participants at its discretion.
6.12 The Awards Management reserves the right to replace any disqualified or unfit winner with another eligible Participant, even if they were previously eliminated.
6.13 If the Awards Management determines that any person has tampered with the Website or related databases, it reserves the right to revoke winnings and initiate legal action.
6.14 The Awards Management will reach out to winners within 30 days from winner declaration for documentation. Delivery of the award will be determined in consultation with platform partners, and winners cannot refuse the prize provided.
6.15 Winners will receive communication about the award via email or the Website. If the award is not claimed within 30 days, it will be forfeited.
6.16 To claim the award, winners must provide attested copies of valid Government-issued photo ID proof and any other required documents.
6.17 Delays in document submission or force majeure events may impact the delivery of the award, and the winner agrees not to hold the Awards Management responsible.
6.18 Winners shall indemnify the Awards Management against any disputes, claims, or delays arising from the award.
6.19 Any disputes or claims related to the Awards must be addressed directly to the Awards Management.
6.20 The Awards Management may refuse to reward winners in case of fraud, dishonesty, or non-entitlement under the terms.
7. Prohibited Activities
7.1 Viruses, trojan horses, worms, time bombs, corrupted files, malware, spyware, or any other similar software that may damage the operation of another’s computer or property.
7.2 Using the Website in any manner intended to damage, disable, overburden, or impair any server, or the network(s) connected to any server, or interfere with any other party’s use and enjoyment of the Website.
7.3 Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the Website, other accounts, computer systems, or networks connected to any server through hacking, password mining, or any other means.
7.4 Obtaining or attempting to obtain any materials or information stored on the Website, its servers, or associated computers through any means not intentionally made available through the Website.
8. Phases and Dates of the Award
Submission Opening: March 05, 2025
Submission Deadline: April 05, 2025
Award Ceremony: June 2025
* Tentative
8.1 The above-mentioned schedule could be added to, modified, or cancelled based on technical requirements and in case the Award is for any reason rescheduled, extended, cancelled, or terminated early, and same shall be at the absolute sole discretion of Awards Management.
8.2 All applications received will be evaluated based on pre-defined evaluation criteria determined by the Awards Management in its sole and absolute discretion.
8.3 The decision taken by the Awards Management, based upon the observation & recommendations of the Jury with respect to the evaluation/disqualification/qualification is final and binding on all Participants. No claims/queries raised with respect to the same will be entertained in this regard.
9. Limitations & Disclaimers
9.1 The Awards Management will not be responsible for late, incomplete, corrupted, or defective entries and/or those which cannot be read or viewed for any reason. Such entries shall stand automatically disqualified. Awards Management shall not be responsible if, for any technical, physical, or other reasons, the entry is not received or cannot be read, viewed, or judged.
9.2 The Awards Management reserves the right to suspend, cancel, modify, add to, or truncate these Terms & Conditions or the Award and/or rules relating thereto at any time without notice. Participants shall periodically check this page for updates to these Terms & Conditions.
9.3 Awards Management gives no warranties in respect of any aspect of the Awards or any materials related thereto or offered at the Awards. To the fullest extent possible under the laws governing this Agreement, Awards Management disclaims all implied warranties, including but not limited to warranties of fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, timeliness, and merchantability. The Awards are provided on an “as-is” basis. Awards Management does not accept any responsibility or liability for reliance by you or any person on any aspect of the Awards or any information provided at the Awards.
9.4 Awards Management does not make any warranty that the Awards and/or the resulting outcomes will meet the Participant’s expectations.
10. General
10.1 Participant agrees that they are legally capable of entering and, if selected, participating in the Awards and agree to the Terms & Conditions.
10.2 Participant understands and agrees that merely participating in these Awards does not entitle them to a prize or any other form of consideration.
10.3 Participant shall be completely responsible for handling any infringement or alleged infringement and shall indemnify Awards Management from any claims, costs, or damages arising from infringement or alleged infringement of the logo or trademark, or the defense of a claim or any costs payable thereof.
10.4 Participants, for the purpose of entering the Awards, automatically grant the Awards Management a royalty-free, irrevocable, worldwide, non-transferable, non-exclusive right and license to use and display such entry for participation in the Awards. This includes any intellectual property related to such participation and footage thereof, which may be used in trade publications, press releases, electronic postings on the Website, and any display format selected during the Awards as deemed fit.
10.5 The Awards Management reserves the right, at its discretion, to withdraw, amend, or add to the Terms & Conditions of the Awards at any time, with prospective or retrospective effect. Awards Management does not take responsibility for any loss or damage that any individual or organization may suffer due to participation or attempted participation in the Awards, the withdrawal of the Awards, or amendments to its rules.
10.6 Should a Participant wish to withdraw from the Awards, they must inform the Awards Management in writing at contact@gssawards.com at any time up to one week prior to the final Awards ceremony.
10.7 All disputes relating to or arising out of the Awards shall be subject to the laws of India and shall be under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of competent jurisdiction in New Delhi, India.
10.8 In the event these Terms & Conditions do not cover any question or complaint in relation to the Awards, the decision will be concluded by the Awards Management (for all other issues) or an independent body or legal team as appointed by the Awards Management if deemed necessary.
11. Website
11.1 The Website is only an informational website for the Awards. The Awards Management is not liable or responsible for any action or decision taken by the Participant or anyone acting on the Participant’s behalf, under their employment, or under contract with the Participant. The Awards Management shall not be under any obligation to the Participant, and the Participant shall have no obligation or rights in relation to the Awards, nor any claims whatsoever against the Awards Management regarding the selection process or the execution of the Awards.
11.2 The Awards Management shall not be responsible for:
i. Any delivery failures relating to registration or uploading of videos/presentations.
ii. Any SPAM messages generated as a result of the Participant accessing the Website.
iii. Awards Management not receiving or rejecting any data.
iv. Any lost, late, or misdirected computer transmission, network, or electronic failures of any kind, or failure to receive entries due to transmission failures or technical reasons.
v. Other conditions, situations, or failures beyond its control.
12. Disclaimers
12.1 The Awards Management has no obligation to screen the entry material in advance and is not responsible for monitoring entries to prevent violations of intellectual property ownership rights, laws, rules, or regulations. If the Awards Management is notified of submissions or materials that may not conform to the rules, it may investigate and determine in good faith and at its sole discretion whether to eliminate such an entry from consideration. The Awards Management has no liability or responsibility to Participants or other users of the Website for performance or non-performance of such activities.
12.2 Awards Management’s failure to exercise any right shall not be deemed a waiver of any further rights. Awards Management shall not be liable for any failure to perform its obligations where such failure results from causes beyond its reasonable control. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary for this Agreement to otherwise remain in full force and effect and enforceable. This Agreement is not assignable, transferable, or sub-licensable by the Participant except with prior written consent from the Awards Management. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of India, and the parties shall submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in New Delhi, India.
12.3 Both parties agree that this Agreement is the complete and exclusive statement of their mutual understanding and supersedes and cancels all previous written and oral agreements, communications, and other understandings relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. All modifications must be in writing and signed by both parties, except as otherwise provided herein.
12.4 No agency, partnership, joint venture, or employment is created as a result of this Agreement. The Participant acknowledges that they do not have any authority to bind Awards Management in any respect.
12.5 The Participant agrees not to hold the Awards Management and/or any of their group entities, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, or vendors responsible or liable for any actions, claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, charges, and expenses that the Participant may have suffered, sustained, or incurred, or claims to suffer, sustain, or incur, due to participation in the Awards or in connection with the prize in any manner whatsoever.
13. Systems and Availability
13.1 Awards Management, its affiliates, process advisors, contractors, partners, and promotion entities are not responsible for technical, hardware, software, or other communication malfunctions, errors, or failures of any kind. This includes lost or unavailable network connections, Website, Internet, or ISP availability, unauthorized human intervention, traffic congestion, incomplete or inaccurate capture of information (regardless of cause), or failed, incomplete, garbled, jumbled, or delayed computer transmissions that may limit Participants' ability to participate. This also includes any injury or damage to Participants or any other person's computer or mobile device resulting from participation in or downloading any materials. Management is not responsible for lost, late, illegible, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, technically corrupted, or misdirected answers, which will be disqualified. While commercially reasonable efforts will be made to ensure security and accuracy of all personal details, Participants acknowledge that no methodology is infallible, and no guarantee is made as to its effectiveness.
13.2 Any loss, dissatisfaction, or disruption experienced by a Participant during the course of the Awards shall not be the responsibility of Awards Management and/or its affiliates. Awards Management or its affiliates shall not be liable to compensate for any such loss or dissatisfaction.
13.3 While all attempts will be made to protect data from loss and corruption, in case such an event occurs, Awards Management may proceed with the available data or take any other actions it deems reasonable. Awards Management shall not be held responsible for any data loss or any actions taken as a result. No compensation will be provided for such data loss.
13.4 Prior to the start of the Awards, Participants must ensure that the Websites are operational and functioning correctly. Participants are advised to have adequate RAM and phone memory available for the smooth functioning of the Website.
13.5 The server used to communicate with Participants has built-in redundancies. However, in rare cases where the server is down during the entry period, Awards Management may, at its discretion but not as an obligation, implement any corrective measures it deems necessary.
13.6 The Participant acknowledges that all possible issues may not have been identified by Awards Management and its partners. Participants agree to hold harmless Awards Management and its partners for any application, network, process, technical, or other failures. Any losses, injury, discomfort, loss of privacy, inability to participate, or other discomfort caused to the Participant or their property/device shall not be the responsibility of Awards Management or its partners.
13.7 No person (including the Participant or any representative of the Participant) shall initiate litigation against Awards Management or its partners in any manner. Any grievances related to the Awards or prizes must be submitted to Bennett Coleman & Company Limited at contact@gssawards.com. The decision of Bennett Coleman & Company Limited regarding grievance redressal shall be final and binding upon the Participant.
13.8 The Awards Management shall not be liable for any failure of the application server or system during the Awards.
14. Publicity
14.1 By providing personal information, the Participant voluntarily agrees that Awards Management shall have the right to share such information with third parties as required for the purpose of the Awards. The Participant agrees not to file any claim against Awards Management for sharing such personal information. Any information shared with Awards Management shall be handled in accordance with its privacy policy.
14.2 By entering the Awards, Participants agree to participate in any media or promotional activities related to the Awards as reasonably requested by Awards Management at their expense. Participants also consent to the use of their name and/or likeness by Awards Management.
14.3 Awards Management will contact Participants in advance regarding any media requests for interviews. Entries may be used for promotional, marketing, press, and media purposes. Participants agree to waive any intellectual property rights they may have in the submitted entries. Awards Management reserves the right to publish the names and likenesses of Participants, finalists, and winners on its website or other media for publicity purposes. Participants acknowledge that they will not receive any payment for the use of their name, likeness, or entry submissions and waive any present or future monetary claims against Awards Management and its affiliates.
14.4 Participants shall not, without prior written approval from Awards Management, speak to the press, media, or any third party regarding any aspect of the Awards. They shall not disclose any information related to Awards Management. Violation of this clause will result in immediate disqualification.
14.5 Participants shall maintain confidentiality regarding all details of the Awards.
14.6 Any photographs, videos, or other media submitted by Participants or recorded by Awards Management shall become the property of Awards Management upon submission. Awards Management may use these materials across all mediums worldwide in perpetuity. Participants must ensure that submitted materials do not contain obscene, vulgar, defamatory, or offensive content, nor infringe upon third-party rights. Participants shall be solely liable for any legal consequences arising from their submissions.
14.7 Acceptance of these terms and conditions constitutes permission for Awards Management and its affiliates to photograph, record, and use Participants' names, photographs, likenesses, voices, and comments for advertising and promotional purposes in any media worldwide without any compensation.
15. Privacy
15.1 Participants voluntarily agree that personal data submitted with an entry, including name, mailing address, phone number, and email address, may be collected, processed, stored, and otherwise used by Awards Management and its affiliates for the purposes of conducting and administering the Awards.
15.2 By entering the Awards, Participants agree to the transmission, processing, disclosure, and storage of their personal data by Awards Management and its affiliates.
16.1 Participants warrant that their entry submission is their own original work and that they are the sole and exclusive owner and rights holder of the entry submitted. They confirm they have the right to submit the entry in the Awards and grant all required licenses. Each Participant agrees not to submit any entry that:
(a) Infringes any third-party proprietary rights, intellectual property rights, industrial property rights, personal or moral rights, including but not limited to copyright, trademark, trade names, industrial designs, patents, trade secrets, privacy, publicity, or confidentiality obligations.
(b) Violates any applicable state, federal, or local law.
16.2 To the maximum extent permitted by law, Participants indemnify and agree to always keep indemnified the Awards Management against any liability, claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, and expenses resulting from any act, default, or omission of the Participant and/or any breach of these warranties.
16.3 Participants further agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Awards Management from any claims, suits, or proceedings, including but not limited to:
(i) Any entry submission or material provided by the Participant that infringes intellectual property rights, defames, or violates privacy/publicity rights.
(ii) Any misrepresentation made by the Participant in connection with the Awards.
(iii) Any non-compliance by the Participant with these Terms.
(iv) Claims by third parties arising from the Participant’s involvement in the Awards.
(v) Acceptance, possession, misuse, or use of any prize/award or participation in any Awards-related activity.
(vi) Any malfunction or technical issue with the Awards Website affecting the Participant's entry or participation.
(vii) Errors in the collection, processing, or retention of entry or voting information.
(viii) Any typographical or other error in the printing, offering, or announcement of any award or winners.