Terms & Conditions

1. Accuracy, truthfulness & verification

Applicants confirm that all information, declarations and documents provided by them are true and correct to the best of their knowledge. DRS may verify or re-verify information at any stage of the application, selection or grant period, including identity, age, citizenship, residency, professional information, artwork details, authorship, banking, taxation or any information relevant to eligibility or administration of the grant.

If a significant discrepancy, false declaration, fabricated document, misrepresentation or substantial mismatch is identified, DRS will ordinarily seek clarification from the artist where appropriate. If the issue is confirmed, DRS may disqualify the application, withdraw an award, suspend or cancel an ongoing grant, stop future payments and take any other action permitted under the applicable agreement and law. Acceptance or non-verification of information at an earlier stage does not prevent DRS from rechecking it if new information later comes to light.

2. Originality, authorship & copyright

Applicants confirm that artworks submitted as their own are genuinely created by them and that they have the legal right to submit and represent such work as their own. Artistic inspiration, influence, reference, study, shared cultural sources and engagement with existing visual culture are recognised as part of artistic practice. However, plagiarism, unlawful copying, false authorship, direct theft of another person's protected work or knowingly presenting another person's work as one's own is not permitted.

Where third-party photographs, images, texts, designs or other protected content are incorporated into an artwork, the artist is responsible for ensuring that such use is lawful and for obtaining any permission, licence or attribution required. If a credible question concerning authorship, plagiarism, infringement or misrepresentation arises, DRS may seek clarification and supporting material from the artist. If a violation is established after reasonable review, DRS may disqualify the application, withdraw selection, suspend or cancel the grant and take any other action available under applicable law. Copyright in an artist's original artwork remains with the artist unless specifically transferred or licensed through a separate written agreement.

3. Submission, communication & electronic acceptance

Applications and related documents should be submitted through the official process and communication channels identified by DRS. DRS may communicate with an applicant or selected artist through email, telephone, WhatsApp, the application platform or another contact method supplied by the applicant, and applicants are responsible for providing correct and current contact information.

Submission of an application after being given access to these Terms, including acceptance through an electronic checkbox or another recognised electronic process, may constitute acceptance of these Terms where permitted by law.

4. Final decision

Subject to applicable law, the decision of DRS Arts Company® and, where relevant, the appointed jury will be final in matters concerning eligibility, evaluation, shortlisting, selection, verification, interpretation of programme requirements and continuation or termination of grant support. DRS may seek additional information, clarification, documentation, professional advice or further verification before reaching a decision. DRS is not obligated to provide individual scores, jury deliberations or detailed feedback to every applicant. Submission of an application does not create a right or entitlement to receive a grant or award.

5. Selected artists & grant acceptance agreement

Selection does not by itself complete the grant relationship. Before payment or commencement of support, a selected artist may be required to sign or electronically accept a separate Grant Acceptance Agreement and provide appropriate identity, banking, taxation or other required documentation. The Grant Acceptance Agreement may contain the specific grant amount, payment schedule, use of funds, reporting requirements, documentation, publicity permissions, Sustainability Collection arrangements where applicable, withdrawal, suspension, termination, repayment circumstances and any other conditions specific to the selected artist.

6. Payments & statutory requirements

Grant or award payments will be made in accordance with the applicable programme information and, where relevant, the selected artist's Grant Acceptance Agreement. Payments may be subject to satisfactory documentation, banking requirements and any applicable taxation, TDS or other statutory deductions required under Indian law. Each recipient remains responsible for obtaining their own tax, accounting or professional advice concerning amounts received.

7. Withdrawal, suspension & cancellation

An artist may inform DRS if circumstances prevent continued participation in the grant. DRS may disqualify, suspend, withdraw or terminate an application, selection, award or ongoing grant where a serious concern arises, including fraud, plagiarism, false authorship, intellectual-property infringement, incorrect or fabricated information, misuse of grant funds, unlawful conduct or breach of these Terms or the Grant Acceptance Agreement. Where appropriate, DRS will seek clarification from the artist before reaching a final decision. If the concern is confirmed during the grant period, DRS may stop further payments and may determine, subject to applicable law and the Grant Acceptance Agreement, whether any amount is required to be returned.

8. Privacy, technology & official channels

Personal information connected with the DRS Arts Grant will be handled in accordance with the DRS Arts Grant Privacy Policy and applicable law. DRS may use third-party websites, cloud services, application platforms, communication systems, payment systems, artificial-intelligence tools and other technologies in administering the programme, and may modify such systems as technology, security and operational requirements evolve. To the extent permitted by law, DRS will not be responsible for loss arising solely from circumstances outside its reasonable control, including internet outages, independent third-party platform failures, cyberattacks, governmental action, change in law, natural disasters or comparable events. Applicants, artists, patrons, collectors and supporters should communicate and transact only through official DRS Arts Company® or DRS Arts Grant channels. DRS is not responsible for fraudulent websites, impersonating accounts, phishing emails or unauthorised persons falsely claiming to represent DRS where those activities are outside DRS's reasonable control.

9. General legal terms, governing law & jurisdiction

These Terms and the DRS Arts Grant are governed by the laws of India. The parties should first make reasonable efforts to resolve any dispute through good-faith communication. Subject to applicable law and any different dispute-resolution provision contained in a Grant Acceptance Agreement, the competent courts at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India will have jurisdiction over disputes arising from or connected with the DRS Arts Grant.

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply to the extent permitted by law. Failure by DRS to enforce a provision on one occasion does not prevent DRS from enforcing it subsequently. DRS may make reasonable changes to its programme, processes, technologies or administrative arrangements where required by law, security, operational requirements or circumstances beyond its reasonable control. Significant changes affecting an existing applicant or selected artist will be communicated where reasonably appropriate.

These Terms govern participation in the DRS Arts Grant. Artwork sales, collector transactions, sponsorships, patron arrangements, donations, jury appointments, vendor relationships or other separate relationships with DRS Arts Company® may be governed by separate terms or agreements.

For questions concerning these Terms: Dhanvi Rasiklal Shah Arts Pvt. Ltd., operating under the registered brand/trademark DRS Arts Company®, Shapath II, Opp. Rajpath Club, SG Road, Ahmedabad 380015, Gujarat, India. Email: [email protected]