---
title: "DPDP Act Section 28: Procedure to be followed by Board | dpdpr.in"
description: "Section 28 of the DPDP Act 2023, Procedure to be followed by Board: the official text, what it means in plain English and Hindi, and who it affects."
url: "https://dpdpr.in/act/section-28/"
canonical: "https://dpdpr.in/act/section-28/"
site: "dpdpr.in"
updated: "2026-11-02"
disclaimer: "Independent reference, not legal advice. Not affiliated with the Government of India or MeitY."
---

# Section 28. Procedure to be followed by Board

DPDP Act, 2023 · Chapter VI: Powers, Functions and Procedure to Be Followed by Board

## In simple words

The Board works as an independent, digital-first body. It first checks whether there are enough grounds for an inquiry. During an inquiry it has some civil court powers, can pass interim orders, and must hear the person concerned. It can warn or impose costs on false or frivolous complaints.

- **What this means for you**: If you file a false complaint, you can be warned or made to pay costs.

- **What this means for businesses**: You will get a chance to be heard before any order or penalty.

- **Everyday example**: The Board summons a company's records to check how a breach happened.

## Who it applies to

The Board, complainants and persons under inquiry.

## Related Rules

- [Rule 20. Functioning of Board as digital office](https://dpdpr.in/rules/rule-20/) In force

### Related sections

- [Section 27. Powers and functions of Board](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-27/)
- [Section 29. Appeal to Appellate Tribunal](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-29/)
- [Section 33. Penalties](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-33/)

Official text as notified

Source: [MeitY copy of the Gazette (CG-DL-E-12082023-248045), page 14](https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/02/Digital-Personal-Data-Protection-Act-2023.pdf#page=14). Printed dashes are shown as colons; the wording is unchanged.

(1) The Board shall function as an independent body and shall, as far as practicable, function as a digital office, with the receipt of complaints and the allocation, hearing and pronouncement of decisions in respect of the same being digital by design, and adopt such techno-legal measures as may be prescribed.

(2) The Board may, on receipt of an intimation or complaint or reference or directions as referred to in sub-section (1) of section 27, take action in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.

(3) The Board shall determine whether there are sufficient grounds to proceed with an inquiry.

(4) In case the Board determines that there are insufficient grounds, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, close the proceedings.

(5) In case the Board determines that there are sufficient grounds to proceed with inquiry, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, inquire into the affairs of any person for ascertaining whether such person is complying with or has complied with the provisions of this Act.

(6) The Board shall conduct such inquiry following the principles of natural justice and shall record reasons for its actions during the course of such inquiry.

(7) For the purposes of discharging its functions under this Act, the Board shall have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of matters relating to:

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining her on oath;

(b) receiving evidence of affidavit requiring the discovery and production of documents;

(c) inspecting any data, book, document, register, books of account or any other document; and

(d) such other matters as may be prescribed.

(8) The Board or its officers shall not prevent access to any premises or take into custody any equipment or any item that may adversely affect the day-to-day functioning of a person.

(9) The Board may require the services of any police officer or any officer of the Central Government or a State Government to assist it for the purposes of this section and it shall be the duty of every such officer to comply with such requisition.

(10) During the course of the inquiry, if the Board considers it necessary, it may for reasons to be recorded in writing, issue interim orders after giving the person concerned an opportunity of being heard.

(11) On completion of the inquiry and after giving the person concerned an opportunity of being heard, the Board may for reasons to be recorded in writing, either close the proceedings or proceed in accordance with section 33.

(12) At any stage after receipt of a complaint, if the Board is of the opinion that the complaint is false or frivolous, it may issue a warning or impose costs on the complainant.

## When this takes effect

- Whole section **Starts 13 May 2027** 191 days to go

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/)