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Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This Act is crucial for understanding India's stance on data privacy, a fundamental right, and its implications for individuals, businesses, and the digital economy. It's a frequently discussed and evolving area in governance and technology.

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is a landmark legislation in India that establishes a comprehensive legal framework for regulating the processing of digital personal data, ensuring the privacy rights of individuals.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Enactment Year

2023, replacing previous data protection efforts and frameworks.

Scope

Regulates the processing of digital personal data within India and for data fiduciaries outside India if related to offering goods/services to data principals in India.

Children's Privacy

Mandates parental consent for processing children’s personal data and prohibits practices detrimental to their well-being, such as tracking or targeted advertising.

Key Principles

Based on principles of consent, data minimization, purpose limitation, and accountability for data fiduciaries.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)Responsible for implementation and oversight
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Quick revision

  • Enacted 2023: New data protection law.
  • Regulates digital personal data processing.
  • Mandates parental consent for children's data.
  • Prohibits tracking/targeted ads for children.
  • Safeguards individual privacy rights.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the...

International RelationsOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements : 1. Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data. 2. In Web 3-0 world, there ca...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Consider the following 1. Aarogya Setu 2. CoWIN 3. Digi Locker 4. DIKSHA Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements : 1. Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data. 2. In Web 3-0 world, there ca...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Consider the following 1. Aarogya Setu 2. CoWIN 3. Digi Locker 4. DIKSHA Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolut...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India? 1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2017Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data centres 3. Body corporate...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017? 1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of ou...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2017Statement-based questions, Policy measures

In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data centres 3. Body corporate...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017? 1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of ou...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2016Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Regarding ‘DigiLocker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Governm...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & Governance
Prelims 2016· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Regarding ‘DigiLocker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Governm...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data centres 3. Body corporate...

Open question

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017? 1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of ou...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Policy measures

In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data centres 3. Body corporate...

Open question

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017? 1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of ou...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India? 1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolut...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements : 1. Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data. 2. In Web 3-0 world, there ca...

Open question

Consider the following 1. Aarogya Setu 2. CoWIN 3. Digi Locker 4. DIKSHA Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements : 1. Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data. 2. In Web 3-0 world, there ca...

Open question

Consider the following 1. Aarogya Setu 2. CoWIN 3. Digi Locker 4. DIKSHA Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the...

Open question

Government Strengthens Safeguards Against Digital Addiction; 11.37L+ Citizens Reached Through 6,650 Cyber Awareness Workshops

22 Jul 2026 · The DPDP Act, 2023, is India's primary law for digital personal data protection, emphasizing consent, data principal rights, and specific safeguards for children's online privacy.

Read article

Related topics

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Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

Often confused with

Digital Governance and Cyber Security Framework in India

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Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

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