Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) governs the processing of digital personal data in India. It seeks to balance the right of individuals to protect their personal data with the need to process such data for lawful purposes.
Current commencement status
The Central Government notified a staggered commencement of the Act on 13 November 2025. As of 4 September 2026:
- In force: section 1(2), section 2, sections 18-26, sections 35 and 38-43, and section 44(1) and 44(3).
- Scheduled from 13 November 2026: section 6(9) and section 27(1)(d).
- Scheduled from 13 May 2027: sections 3-5, most of section 6, sections 7-17, most of section 27, sections 28-34, sections 36-37 and section 44(2).
The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 were notified with a similar phased commencement. Rules 1, 2 and 17-21 are in force; Rule 4 is scheduled one year after publication, and Rules 3, 5-16, 22 and 23 eighteen months after publication.
Section 1 - Short title and commencement
(1) This Act may be called the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
(2) It comes into force on dates appointed by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette, and different dates may be appointed for different provisions.
DPDP Act, 2023 - Chapter and section index
Use the links below to open the detailed section pages on this website.
CHAPTER I - PRELIMINARY
CHAPTER II - OBLIGATIONS OF DATA FIDUCIARY
CHAPTER III - RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF DATA PRINCIPAL
CHAPTER IV - SPECIAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER V - DATA PROTECTION BOARD OF INDIA
- Section 18Establishment of Board
- Section 19Composition and qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members
- Section 20Salary, allowances payable to and term of office
- Section 21Disqualifications for appointment and continuation as Chairperson and Members of Board
- Section 22Resignation by Members and filling of vacancy
- Section 23Proceedings of Board
- Section 24Officers and employees of Board
- Section 25Members and officers to be public servants
- Section 26Powers of Chairperson
CHAPTER VI - POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED BY BOARD
CHAPTER VII - APPEAL AND ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
CHAPTER VIII - PENALTIES AND ADJUDICATION
CHAPTER IX - MISCELLANEOUS
- Section 35Protection of action taken in good faith
- Section 36Power to call for information
- Section 37Power of Central Government to issue directions
- Section 38Consistency with other laws
- Section 39Bar of jurisdiction
- Section 40Power to make rules
- Section 41Laying of rules and certain notifications
- Section 42Power to amend Schedule
- Section 43Power to remove difficulties
- Section 44Amendments to certain Acts
- SchedulePenalties