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Chapter V · Data Protection Board of India

Section 20: Salary, allowances and term of office

Section 20 fixes the Board members' pay and tenure: terms set by the Rules and protected from being cut mid-term, with a two-year term that is renewable.

Official text
Section 20Salary & term of office
Chapter
Chapter V · Data Protection Board of India
Status
In force
In force since
13 November 2025
Applies to
Data Protection Board
Official citation
DPDP Act, 2023, s.20
Reading time
2 min
Updated
August 2026

At a glance

Section 20 sets the service terms of the Chairperson and Members. Their salary, allowances and conditions of service are as prescribed by the Rules and cannot be varied to their disadvantage after appointment [20(1)]. They hold office for a term of two years and are eligible for re-appointment [20(2)]. This section is in force since 13 November 2025.

Applies to The BoardChapter Chapter VEffective 13 Nov 2025Read time 2 min

Key takeaways

  • Pay and service terms are set by the Rules and cannot be reduced to a member's disadvantage after appointment [20(1)].
  • The term of office is two years [20(2)].
  • Members are eligible for re-appointment [20(2)].

Who should read this

Read this for context on the regulator's independence: the short, renewable term and protected pay of Board members shape how the body that decides your matters operates.

FoundersLegal / DPOCompliance leadsProduct / engineering

In plain language

Section 20 is a service-conditions provision. It protects Board members' pay from being cut mid-term, a safeguard for independence, and sets a short, renewable two-year term.

The text of the law

Section 20: Salary, allowances and term of office

20(1) The salary, allowances and conditions of service of the Chairperson and Members are as prescribed and shall not be varied to their disadvantage after appointment.

20(2) They hold office for a term of two years and are eligible for re-appointment.

Wording summarised from the enacted Act. Always confirm against the official Gazette text for authoritative language.

What this means for you

  • Little direct company impact; the short renewable term and protected pay are structural independence safeguards for the regulator that will decide your cases.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a Board member's term?
Two years, and they can be re-appointed.
Can Board members' pay be cut during their term?
No. Their conditions of service cannot be varied to their disadvantage after appointment.
Who sets Board members' salaries?
The Central Government, through the Rules.

Sources

Related sections
Section 19: Composition of the BoardSection 21: DisqualificationsChapter V overview

This is an educational explanation, not legal advice. dpdpactindia.in is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Government of India.

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