An important step in constructing India’s digital governance framework is the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act). The Act offers an organized framework for privacy, accountability, and safe data processing because India is home to one of the largest digital populations in the world. It strengthens individual liberty in the digital realm by operationalizing the Supreme Court’s Puttaswamy verdict, which grants individuals rights to consent-based data processing, rectification, erasure, and grievance redressal.
The Act modernizes data procedures for governance in all government agencies. Ministries and departments must conform to purpose limitation, data minimisation, and tight security measures. This lowers the possibility of breaches in benefit databases like Aadhaar, CoWIN, or DBT systems and enhances administrative accountability. Public trust and openness are improved by mandatory breach reporting.
By establishing consistent compliance standards for start-ups, digital businesses, fintech, health tech, and e-commerce platforms, the Act has a positive economic impact on India’s digital ecosystem. By bringing India closer to international norms, it facilitates cross-border data flows and increases investor confidence.
But there are issues with the Act. Excessive surveillance may result from government exemptions under “national security” in the absence of robust independent control. Real implementation issues include the Data Protection Board’s lack of autonomy, high compliance costs for small businesses, and a significant state-to-state disparity in digital capacity.
The Act represents a significant step toward a rights-based digital society in spite of these problems. Effective implementation can improve governance, uphold citizen dignity, and facilitate India’s shift to a safe, reliable digital economy.
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About the Author: Jyoti Verma
