---
title: "DPDP Act Section 25: Board Members as Public Servants | dpdpr.in"
description: "Section 25 of the DPDP Act 2023, Members and officers to be public servants: the official text, what it means in plain English and Hindi, and who it affects."
url: "https://dpdpr.in/act/section-25/"
canonical: "https://dpdpr.in/act/section-25/"
site: "dpdpr.in"
updated: "2026-11-02"
disclaimer: "Independent reference, not legal advice. Not affiliated with the Government of India or MeitY."
---

# Section 25. Members and officers to be public servants

DPDP Act, 2023 · Chapter V: Data Protection Board of India

## In simple words

The Chairperson, Members, officers and staff of the Board are treated as public servants when acting under the Act.

- **What this means for you**: Board officials are accountable as public servants.

- **What this means for businesses**: Laws that apply to public servants apply to Board officials.

- **Everyday example**: Offering a bribe to a Board officer would be treated as an offence involving a public servant.

## Who it applies to

The Board, its Members and staff.

## Related Rules

No specific rule. The text of the Act applies on its own.

### Related sections

- [Section 24. Officers and employees of Board](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-24/)

Official text as notified

Source: [MeitY copy of the Gazette (CG-DL-E-12082023-248045), page 13](https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/02/Digital-Personal-Data-Protection-Act-2023.pdf#page=13). Printed dashes are shown as colons; the wording is unchanged.

The Chairperson, Members, officers and employees of the Board shall be deemed, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of provisions of this Act, to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.

## When this takes effect

- Whole section **In force since 13 November 2025**

Source: [G.S.R. 843(E)](https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2025/11/c56ceae6c383460ca69577428d36828b.pdf) and [rule 1](https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2025/11/53450e6e5dc0bfa85ebd78686cadad39.pdf). [All deadlines](https://dpdpr.in/deadlines/)