Utsav Contests Official Rules

Module: Utsav Contests™ (Core)
Document Type: Official Rules / Terms
Trademark: Utsav Contests™ is a trademark of MyMahotsav Futuretech Ltd (™ pending)
Effective Date: 24th February 2026
Version: 1.0

Part A: Plain English Summary #

Welcome to Utsav Contests™! #

Utsav Contests™ is where creativity meets culture. Whether you’re submitting a stunning photo of Diwali celebrations, a traditional recipe passed down through generations, or an essay on the significance of a festival, this is your platform to share, compete, and win.

The Simple Truth #

• Read Before You Enter: These Official Rules are a binding contract between you and MyMahotsav. By entering, you agree to everything here.

• You Keep Ownership: Your photos, recipes, and essays remain yours. You grant us a license to use them for the contest and related promotions .

• We’re Not the Sponsor (Usually): Some contests are sponsored by external brands. When they are, we’ll tell you. But MyMahotsav remains the platform host.

• Judging is Fair: Winners are selected based on clear criteria—either by a jury, public vote, or combination. Our judges are independent and conflict-free .

• Prizes Are Real: Winners receive prizes as described. But remember—prize values may be taxable, and you’re responsible for that .

Part B: Legal Terms and Conditions #

1. INTRODUCTION AND ACCEPTANCE #

1.1 These Utsav Contests™ Official Rules (“Official Rules”) govern all contests, competitions, and sweepstakes (collectively, “Contests”) operated by MyMahotsav Futuretech Ltd (“MyMahotsav,” “we,” “us,” “our”) under the Utsav Contests™ trademark.

1.2 By entering any Contest, you (“Entrant,” “you,” “your”) agree to be bound by these Official Rules, which create a legally binding contract. Read them carefully before entering .

1.3 These Official Rules incorporate by reference all other applicable policies, including:

• Entrant Terms and Conditions (CT-2)

• Content Submission Guidelines (CT-3)

• Intellectual Property & Licensing Terms (CT-4)

• Privacy Notice (CT-5)

• Any Contest-Specific Supplemental Terms (CT-11 through CT-14)

1.4 In the event of any conflict between these Official Rules and any Contest-specific addendum, the Contest-specific addendum shall prevail for that Contest.

2. SPONSOR AND ADMINISTRATOR IDENTIFICATION #

2.1 Platform Administrator: All Contests are administered by MyMahotsav Futuretech Ltd, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (Company Number 13949925), with its registered office at [Address].

2.2 Sponsors: Some Contests may be co-hosted or sponsored by third-party brands or companies (“Sponsors”). When applicable, Sponsors will be clearly identified in the Contest announcement. Sponsors may provide prizes or funding but are not responsible for Contest administration unless otherwise stated .

2.3 No Agency: Sponsors are independent third parties. Nothing in these Official Rules creates an employment, partnership, or agency relationship between MyMahotsav and any Sponsor, or between any Sponsor and Entrants.

3. ELIGIBILITY #

3.1 Age Requirement: Unless otherwise specified in a Contest announcement, Entrants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of entry. For Entrants aged 13-17, a parent or legal guardian must consent to these Official Rules and accept responsibility for the Entrant’s participation .

3.2 Geographic Restrictions: Some Contests may be restricted to specific countries or regions. Eligibility based on geographic location will be clearly stated in the Contest announcement. Entrants from restricted jurisdictions are void .

3.3 Ineligible Individuals: The following individuals are NOT eligible to enter any Contest:

• Employees, officers, and directors of MyMahotsav, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and their immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, children, and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside)

• Employees, officers, and directors of any Contest Sponsor and their immediate family members

• Individuals involved in the administration, judging, or fulfillment of the Contest

• Household members of any such individuals

3.4 Verification: MyMahotsav reserves the right to verify eligibility and to disqualify any Entrant who does not meet the eligibility requirements. Providing false information is a violation of these Official Rules.

4. CONTEST PERIOD #

4.1 Each Contest will have a specified entry period (“Contest Period”) as stated in the Contest announcement. All times referenced are in [Indian Standard Time (IST) / GMT / Local Time] unless otherwise indicated .

4.2 MyMahotsav’s computer is the official time-keeping device for the Contest. Entries received before or after the Contest Period will be disqualified.

4.3 MyMahotsav reserves the right to extend or shorten the Contest Period at its sole discretion, with notice provided on the Contest page.

5. HOW TO ENTER #

5.1 Registration: Entrants must have a valid Utsav World™ account to participate. Creating an account is free.

5.2 Entry Submission: To enter, Entrants must follow the specific instructions provided on the Contest page, which may include:

• Uploading photos, videos, recipes, or essays

• Completing an entry form with required information

• Accepting these Official Rules

• Providing any additional information requested

5.3 Entry Limits: The maximum number of entries per person will be specified in the Contest announcement. Multiple entries exceeding the limit may result in disqualification of all entries .

5.4 No Purchase Necessary: NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING .

5.5 Alternative Method of Entry (AMOE) : If a Contest requires any action that could be construed as consideration, an alternative method of entry will be provided as required by law. Contact us at contests@utsavcontests.com for AMOE instructions.

5.6 Entry Requirements: All entries must:

• Be original works created by the Entrant

• Not infringe any third-party rights

• Comply with the Content Submission Guidelines (CT-3)

• Not contain defamatory, obscene, or inappropriate material

5.7 Disqualification: Entries that are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, corrupted, mechanically reproduced, falsified, or otherwise irregular will be void and disqualified at MyMahotsav’s sole discretion .

6. ENTRY CONTENT RESTRICTIONS #

6.1 By submitting an entry, you represent and warrant that:

• The entry is your original work and you own all rights to it

• The entry does not infringe any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights of any third party

• If the entry depicts recognizable individuals, you have obtained their written consent to participate in the Contest and for their likeness to be used as described in these Official Rules

• For entries featuring minors, you have obtained verifiable parental consent

• The entry does not violate any applicable laws or regulations

6.2 Prohibited Content: Entries must not contain:

• Defamatory, harassing, or abusive material

• Hate speech or content promoting discrimination based on race, religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, or disability

• Sexually explicit or pornographic material

• Content promoting illegal activities

• Violent or graphic material

• Commercial solicitation or spam

6.3 MyMahotsav reserves the right to disqualify any entry that violates these content restrictions, with or without notice.

7. License Grant FROM ENTRANT #

7.1 By submitting an entry, Entrant grants to MyMahotsav and its designees (including Contest Sponsors) a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sub-licensable license to:

• Host, store, and maintain the entry on Utsav Contests™ platforms

• Display, perform, and distribute the entry in connection with the Contest

• Use the entry for promotional purposes related to the Contest, including on websites, social media, and marketing materials

• Create derivative works solely for the purpose of promoting the Contest (e.g., thumbnails, compilations)

• Allow third parties (media partners, press) to reproduce the entry in connection with news coverage of the Contest, provided the Entrant is credited

7.2 Duration: The license granted in Section 7.1 shall continue for a period of [three (3) years] from the conclusion of the Contest, after which MyMahotsav shall cease using the entry except where it has been published in materials distributed before the license expiration.

7.3 Winner’s Grant: If selected as a winner, Entrant grants an additional perpetual, irrevocable license to MyMahotsav and Sponsors to use the entry for promotional purposes in perpetuity, including in future Contest promotions, winner galleries, and marketing campaigns .

7.4 Important Note on Rights: Entrant retains all ownership rights to the entry. This license does not transfer ownership or allow MyMahotsav to sell or commercially license the entry to third parties for independent use without Entrant’s separate consent .

8. JUDGING AND WINNER SELECTION #

8.1 Selection Methods: Winners may be selected through one or more of the following methods, as specified in the Contest announcement:

8.2 Judging Criteria: When applicable, judging criteria will be clearly published in the Contest announcement, such as:

• Creativity and originality

• Adherence to theme

• Technical quality

• Cultural authenticity

• Presentation

8.3 Judging Process:

• Preliminary round: All entries reviewed; top entries selected as finalists

• Final round: Finalists evaluated to determine winners

• Tie-breaking: Specified in Contest announcement (e.g., higher score in creativity category)

8.4 Judges’ Decisions: All judging decisions are final and binding. No correspondence or appeals will be entertained except as provided in the Disqualification & Appeals Process (CT-9) .

8.5 Public Voting: If public voting is used:

• Voting is open to registered users with verified accounts

• Each user may vote once per day/per entry as specified

• Automated or fraudulent voting will result in disqualification

• MyMahotsav reserves the right to remove suspicious votes

9. WINNER NOTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION #

9.1 Notification: Potential winners will be notified by email or through their Utsav World™ account within [fourteen (14)] days of winner selection .

9.2 Verification Requirements: To be confirmed as a winner, the selected Entrant must:

• Respond to the notification within [seventy-two (72)] hours

• Complete, sign, and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release, and where permitted, a Publicity Release (“Winner’s Documents”)

• Provide any additional documentation requested (proof of age, residency, etc.)

9.3 Deadline: Winner’s Documents must be returned within [seven (7)] days of receipt. Failure to return documents within this period may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner .

9.4 Disqualification: If a potential winner cannot be contacted, fails to respond within the required timeframe, does not return required documents, or is otherwise found to be ineligible, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner may be selected .

10. PRIZES #

10.1 Prize Description: Prizes will be described in the Contest announcement. Unless otherwise stated, prizes are non-transferable and no cash equivalent or substitution is allowed .

10.2 Prize Substitution: MyMahotsav reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if the advertised prize becomes unavailable .

10.3 Taxes: ALL TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH PRIZES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER. Winners may receive tax forms (e.g., Form 1099 in the US, GST implications in India) for prizes exceeding applicable thresholds .

10.4 Prize Delivery: Prizes will be delivered within [sixty (60)] days of winner confirmation. Physical prizes will be shipped to the address provided by the winner; MyMahotsav is not responsible for lost or stolen packages.

10.5 Unclaimed Prizes: Prizes not claimed within [ninety (90)] days of winner notification may be forfeited at MyMahotsav’s discretion.

11. PUBLICITY #

11.1 Except where prohibited by law, by accepting a prize, winner consents to the use of their name, likeness, photograph, voice, biographical information, and entry for advertising, promotional, and publicity purposes by MyMahotsav and Sponsors without additional compensation .

11.2 Non-winning entrants consent to the use of their name and entry solely in connection with the promotion of the Contest (e.g., being featured in “top entries” galleries) .

12. PRIVACY #

12.1 Personal information collected from entrants will be used in accordance with our Privacy Notice (CT-5) and applicable data protection laws .

12.2 By entering, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information for purposes of administering the Contest and as otherwise described in these Official Rules.

12.3 Winners’ personal information may be disclosed to third parties, including Sponsors and prize fulfillment partners, as necessary for prize delivery.

13. GENERAL CONDITIONS #

13.1 Right to Modify/Cancel: MyMahotsav reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the Contest if fraud, technical failures, or any other factor beyond reasonable control impairs the integrity of the Contest .

13.2 Disqualification: MyMahotsav reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who tampers with the entry process, violates these Official Rules, or acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner .

13.3 Force Majeure: MyMahotsav shall not be liable for failure to perform obligations due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, terrorism, strikes, or governmental action.

14. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE #

14.1 Release: By entering, Entrant releases and holds harmless MyMahotsav, Sponsors, and their respective affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents (“Releasees”) from any and all liability for any injuries, loss, or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with participation in the Contest or acceptance, use, or misuse of any prize .

14.2 Limitation of Liability: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL RELEASEES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTEST.

14.3 No Liability for Technical Issues: Releasees are not responsible for:

• Lost, late, incomplete, or misdirected entries

• Technical failures of any kind

• Unauthorized human intervention

• Errors in the administration of the Contest or the announcement of prizes

15. Indemnification #

15.1 Entrant agrees to indemnify and hold Releasees harmless from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to:

• The entry submitted by Entrant

• Any breach of these Official Rules by Entrant

• Any violation of third-party rights, including copyright or privacy rights

16. DISPUTE RESOLUTION #

16.1 Governing Law: These Official Rules shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

16.2 Arbitration: Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Official Rules shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). The arbitration shall take place in London, United Kingdom.

16.3 Class Action Waiver: ENTRANT AGREES THAT ANY CLAIMS BROUGHT AGAINST MYMAHOTSAV SHALL BE BROUGHT IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING .

17. SEVERABILITY #

17.1 If any provision of these Official Rules is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

18. CONTACT INFORMATION #

Part C: Jurisdiction-Specific Addendums #

India Addendum #

Prize Tax: Winners of prizes exceeding ₹10,000 are subject to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under Section 194B of the Income Tax Act. MyMahotsav may deduct TDS at applicable rates before prize distribution.

Gaming Laws: These Contests are games of skill and therefore exempt from gambling prohibitions under Indian law. Where public voting is used, the element of chance is minimized through clear skill-based criteria.

IT Act Compliance: MyMahotsav is an intermediary under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and complies with all due diligence requirements.

UK/EU Addendum #

Consumer Rights: If you are a consumer, you have rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Contracts Regulations. Nothing in these Official Rules limits your statutory rights.

GDPR: For EU/UK residents, personal data is processed in accordance with GDPR. You have rights to access, rectification, and erasure.

US Addendum #

State Laws: Sweepstakes and contests are subject to state laws. Void where prohibited by law. Residents of certain states may have additional rights.

Tax Reporting: Winners receiving prizes valued at $600 or more will receive a Form 1099-MISC.