---
title: "DPDP Act 2023: All 44 Sections in Plain English | dpdpr.in"
description: "The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, section by section: the official text of all 44 sections with a plain-English and Hindi summary of each."
url: "https://dpdpr.in/act/"
canonical: "https://dpdpr.in/act/"
site: "dpdpr.in"
updated: "2026-11-02"
disclaimer: "Independent reference, not legal advice. Not affiliated with the Government of India or MeitY."
---

# The DPDP Act, 2023: all sections

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (No. 22 of 2023) has 44 sections in 9 chapters and one Schedule of penalties. It received the assent of the President on 11 August 2023. [Official PDF (MeitY copy of the Gazette)](https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/02/Digital-Personal-Data-Protection-Act-2023.pdf).

## [Chapter I: Preliminary](https://dpdpr.in/act/chapter-1/)

1. [1. Short title and commencement](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-1/) In force
2. [2. Definitions](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-2/) In force
3. [3. Application of Act](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-3/) From 13 May 2027

## [Chapter II: Obligations of Data Fiduciary](https://dpdpr.in/act/chapter-2/)

1. [4. Grounds for processing personal data](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-4/) From 13 May 2027
2. [5. Notice](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-5/) From 13 May 2027
3. [6. Consent](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-6/) From 13 November 2026 From 13 May 2027
4. [7. Certain legitimate uses](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-7/) From 13 May 2027
5. [8. General obligations of Data Fiduciary](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-8/) From 13 May 2027
6. [9. Processing of personal data of children](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-9/) From 13 May 2027
7. [10. Additional obligations of Significant Data Fiduciary](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-10/) From 13 May 2027

## [Chapter III: Rights and Duties of Data Principal](https://dpdpr.in/act/chapter-3/)

1. [11. Right to access information about personal data](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-11/) From 13 May 2027
2. [12. Right to correction and erasure of personal data](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-12/) From 13 May 2027
3. [13. Right of grievance redressal](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-13/) From 13 May 2027
4. [14. Right to nominate](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-14/) From 13 May 2027
5. [15. Duties of Data Principal](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-15/) From 13 May 2027

## [Chapter IV: Special Provisions](https://dpdpr.in/act/chapter-4/)

1. [16. Processing of personal data outside India](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-16/) From 13 May 2027
2. [17. Exemptions](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-17/) From 13 May 2027

## [Chapter V: Data Protection Board of India](https://dpdpr.in/act/chapter-5/)

1. [18. Establishment of Board](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-18/) In force
2. [19. Composition and qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-19/) In force
3. [20. Salary, allowances payable to and term of office](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-20/) In force
4. [21. Disqualifications for appointment and continuation as Chairperson and Members of Board](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-21/) In force
5. [22. Resignation by Members and filling of vacancy](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-22/) In force
6. [23. Proceedings of Board](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-23/) In force
7. [24. Officers and employees of Board](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-24/) In force
8. [25. Members and officers to be public servants](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-25/) In force
9. [26. Powers of Chairperson](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-26/) In force

## [Chapter VI: Powers, Functions and Procedure to Be Followed by Board](https://dpdpr.in/act/chapter-6/)

1. [27. Powers and functions of Board](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-27/) From 13 November 2026 From 13 May 2027
2. [28. Procedure to be followed by Board](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-28/) From 13 May 2027

## [Chapter VII: Appeal and Alternate Dispute Resolution](https://dpdpr.in/act/chapter-7/)

1. [29. Appeal to Appellate Tribunal](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-29/) From 13 May 2027
2. [30. Orders passed by Appellate Tribunal to be executable as decree](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-30/) From 13 May 2027
3. [31. Alternate dispute resolution](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-31/) From 13 May 2027
4. [32. Voluntary undertaking](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-32/) From 13 May 2027

## [Chapter VIII: Penalties and Adjudication](https://dpdpr.in/act/chapter-8/)

1. [33. Penalties](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-33/) From 13 May 2027
2. [34. Crediting sums realised by way of penalties to Consolidated Fund of India](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-34/) From 13 May 2027

## [Chapter IX: Miscellaneous](https://dpdpr.in/act/chapter-9/)

1. [35. Protection of action taken in good faith](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-35/) In force
2. [36. Power to call for information](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-36/) From 13 May 2027
3. [37. Power of Central Government to issue directions](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-37/) From 13 May 2027
4. [38. Consistency with other laws](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-38/) In force
5. [39. Bar of jurisdiction](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-39/) In force
6. [40. Power to make rules](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-40/) In force
7. [41. Laying of rules and certain notifications](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-41/) In force
8. [42. Power to amend Schedule](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-42/) In force
9. [43. Power to remove difficulties](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-43/) In force
10. [44. Amendments to certain Acts](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-44/) In force From 13 May 2027

## [The Schedule: penalties](https://dpdpr.in/act/schedule/)