---
title: "DPDP Rules 2025, Rule 17: Appointment of Board Members | dpdpr.in"
description: "Rule 17 of the DPDP Rules 2025 (Appointment of Chairperson and other Members): the official text, a plain-English summary and when it applies."
url: "https://dpdpr.in/rules/rule-17/"
canonical: "https://dpdpr.in/rules/rule-17/"
site: "dpdpr.in"
updated: "2026-11-02"
disclaimer: "Independent reference, not legal advice. Not affiliated with the Government of India or MeitY."
---

# Rule 17. Appointment of Chairperson and other Members

DPDP Rules, 2025 · G.S.R. 846(E)

## In simple words

Search-cum-Selection Committees recommend people for appointment. The Cabinet Secretary chairs the committee for the Chairperson; the MeitY Secretary chairs it for Members. The Government then appoints.

- **What this means for you**: This is how Board Members are chosen.

- **What this means for businesses**: No direct duty for businesses.

- **Everyday example**: The Government invited applications in May 2026 to prepare a panel for the committee.

## Who it applies to

The Central Government.

## Related sections and Schedules

- [Section 19. Composition and qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members](https://dpdpr.in/act/section-19/)

Official text as notified

Source: [MeitY copy of the Gazette, page 30](https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2025/11/53450e6e5dc0bfa85ebd78686cadad39.pdf#page=30). Printed dashes are shown as colons; the wording is unchanged.

(1) The Central Government shall constitute a Search-cum-Selection Committee, with the Cabinet Secretary as the chairperson and the Secretaries to the Government of India in charge of the Department of Legal Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and two experts of repute having special knowledge or practical experience in a field which in the opinion of the Central Government may be useful to the Board as members, to recommend individuals for appointment as Chairperson.

(2) The Central Government shall constitute a Search-cum-Selection Committee, with the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology as the chairperson and the Secretary to the Government of India in charge of the Department of Legal Affairs, and two experts of repute having special knowledge or practical experience in a field which in the opinion of the Central Government may be useful to the Board as members, to recommend individuals for appointment as a Member other than the Chairperson.

(3) The Central Government shall, after considering the suitability of individuals recommended by the Search-cum-Selection Committee, appoint the Chairperson or other Member, as the case may be.

(4) No act or proceeding of the Search-cum-Selection Committee specified in sub-rules (1) and (2) of this rule shall be called in question on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy or absences in such committee or defect in its constitution.

## When this takes effect

- Whole rule **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/)