---
title: "DPDP Act Section 31: Alternate dispute resolution | dpdpr.in"
description: "Section 31 of the DPDP Act 2023, Alternate dispute resolution: the official text, what it means in plain English and Hindi, and who it affects."
url: "https://dpdpr.in/act/section-31/"
canonical: "https://dpdpr.in/act/section-31/"
site: "dpdpr.in"
updated: "2026-11-02"
disclaimer: "Independent reference, not legal advice. Not affiliated with the Government of India or MeitY."
---

# Section 31. Alternate dispute resolution

DPDP Act, 2023 · Chapter VII: Appeal and Alternate Dispute Resolution

## In simple words

If the Board thinks a complaint can be solved by mediation, it can ask the parties to try mediation.

- **What this means for you**: Your complaint might be settled through mediation instead of a full inquiry.

- **What this means for businesses**: Consider mediation to resolve disputes quickly.

- **Everyday example**: A user and an app agree, through a mediator, that the app will delete wrongly kept data.

## Who it applies to

The Board and parties to complaints.

## Related Rules

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

### Related sections

- [Section 28. Procedure to be followed by Board](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-28/)
- [Section 32. Voluntary undertaking](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-32/)

Official text as notified

Source: [MeitY copy of the Gazette (CG-DL-E-12082023-248045), page 16](https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/02/Digital-Personal-Data-Protection-Act-2023.pdf#page=16). Printed dashes are shown as colons; the wording is unchanged.

If the Board is of the opinion that any complaint may be resolved by mediation, it may direct the parties concerned to attempt resolution of the dispute through such mediation by such mediator as the parties may mutually agree upon, or as provided for under any law for the time being in force in India.

## 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/)