DPDP Act Compliance Consulting
Navigate India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 with expert guidance. Stay compliant, protect data, and build customer trust.
DPDP Act 2023
Compliance & Advisory
India's Data Protection Framework
What Is the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023?
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) is India's comprehensive data privacy legislation that governs how businesses collect, process, store, and manage personal data of individuals (Data Principals). Enacted to protect the digital rights of Indian citizens, the Act establishes obligations for all entities handling personal data — referred to as Data Fiduciaries.
With penalties ranging up to ₹250 crore for non-compliance, the DPDP Act affects businesses of all sizes — from startups and SMEs to large enterprises — that process personal data of individuals in India, including data collected through websites, apps, and offline channels.
At S. Baheti & Associates, we combine our deep regulatory expertise with a practical, business-friendly approach to help you achieve and maintain full DPDP compliance.
Who Needs DPDP Compliance?
The DPDP Act applies broadly to any entity that handles digital personal data. Here's who needs to take action:
Businesses with Customer Data
Any company that collects names, emails, phone numbers, or addresses through websites, apps, or offline forms.
IT & Technology Companies
SaaS platforms, app developers, and digital service providers that process user data at scale.
E-Commerce & Retail
Online and offline retailers handling customer purchase data, delivery addresses, and payment information.
Healthcare & Pharma
Hospitals, clinics, and pharmaceutical companies handling sensitive patient and health data.
Education Institutes
Schools, colleges, and EdTech platforms that collect student, parent, and staff personal data.
Any Employer with Employee Data
Companies processing employee personal data for payroll, HR management, and benefits administration.
Risks of Non-Compliance
The DPDP Act enforces strict penalties for non-compliance. Understanding these risks is the first step toward protecting your business.
Maximum penalty for data breach due to lack of safeguards
Penalty for non-compliance with obligations related to children's data
Penalty for failure to notify the Board and Data Principal of a breach
Penalty for other non-compliance violations under the Act
End-to-End DPDP Compliance Support
From initial assessment to ongoing compliance management, we provide comprehensive support to help your business meet all DPDP Act requirements.
DPDP Readiness Assessment
Comprehensive gap analysis of your current data handling practices against DPDP Act requirements. We identify risks, map data flows, and provide a clear roadmap for compliance.
- Data flow mapping & inventory
- Gap analysis against DPDP Act
- Risk prioritisation report
Privacy Policy & Notice Drafting
We draft DPDP-compliant privacy policies, data processing notices, and consent forms that are clear, transparent, and legally robust — tailored to your specific business operations.
- Privacy policy creation
- Data processing notices
- Consent form templates
Consent Management Framework
Design and implementation of a consent management framework that ensures lawful collection, tracking, and withdrawal of consent as required by the DPDP Act.
- Consent collection mechanisms
- Consent tracking & records
- Withdrawal process design
Data Governance & Security
Establish data governance policies, security safeguards, and breach response procedures to protect personal data and demonstrate duty of care under the DPDP Act.
- Data security protocols
- Breach response planning
- Data retention policies
Vendor & Third-Party Review
Assessment of your vendor and third-party data processing arrangements to ensure they meet DPDP Act requirements. We review contracts, data sharing agreements, and processor obligations.
- Vendor compliance assessment
- Data processing agreements
- Cross-border transfer review
Staff Training & Documentation
Comprehensive training for your team on DPDP responsibilities, data handling best practices, and breach reporting protocols. We also prepare all necessary compliance documentation.
- Employee awareness training
- Compliance documentation
- Ongoing compliance support
How We Help You Get Compliant
A structured, phased approach that takes you from assessment to full compliance with clarity and confidence.
Discovery & Assessment
We map your data flows, identify personal data processing activities, and assess current compliance gaps.
Framework Design
We design a tailored compliance framework covering policies, consent mechanisms, and security measures.
Implementation
We help implement the framework — documenting processes, training staff, and updating systems and contracts.
Ongoing Compliance
Periodic reviews, regulatory updates, and continuous support to maintain compliance as your business evolves.
DPDP Compliance FAQs
Yes. The DPDP Act applies to all entities that process digital personal data, regardless of size. While the government may provide certain exemptions for smaller entities, the core obligations — including lawful processing, consent management, and data security — apply broadly. It's advisable for all businesses to proactively assess their compliance position.
The DPDP Act received Presidential assent in August 2023. The government will notify the effective date and release the detailed rules. Businesses should start preparing now, as compliance measures take time to implement — policies need to be drafted, systems updated, and staff trained before the enforcement date.
A Data Fiduciary is any entity (person, company, firm, or the state) that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data. If your business collects customer data, employee data, or any personal information, you are likely a Data Fiduciary with specific obligations under the DPDP Act.
While both the DPDP Act and GDPR aim to protect personal data, the DPDP Act is specifically designed for India's regulatory context. Key differences include the consent framework, the role of the Data Protection Board of India, penalty structures, and the treatment of cross-border data transfers. Businesses already GDPR-compliant will find overlap, but specific DPDP requirements must still be addressed separately.