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Ch IPreliminary

S.1 Short title and commencementS.2 DefinitionsS.3 Application and scope

Ch IIObligations of Data Fiduciary

S.4 Grounds for processingS.5 NoticeS.6 ConsentS.7 Certain legitimate usesS.8 Data Fiduciary obligationsS.9 Children’s dataS.10 Significant Data Fiduciary

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Ch IVSpecial provisions

S.16 Transfer outside IndiaS.17 Exemptions

Ch VData Protection Board of India

S.18 Establishment of the BoardS.19 Composition of the BoardS.20 Salary and term of officeS.21 DisqualificationsS.22 Resignation and vacanciesS.23 Proceedings of the BoardS.24 Officers and employeesS.25 Members as public servantsS.26 Powers of the Chairperson

Ch VIBoard powers and procedure

S.27 Powers and functions of the BoardS.28 Procedure followed by the Board

Ch VIIAppeal and dispute resolution

S.29 Appeal to the Appellate TribunalS.30 Tribunal orders as a decreeS.31 Alternate dispute resolutionS.32 Voluntary undertaking

Ch VIIIPenalties

S.33 Penalties and the ScheduleS.34 Penalties to Consolidated Fund

Ch IXMiscellaneous

S.35 Good-faith protectionS.36 Power to call for informationS.37 Blocking of accessS.38 Consistency with other lawsS.39 Bar of jurisdictionS.40 Power to make rulesS.41 Laying of rules before ParliamentS.42 Power to amend the ScheduleS.43 Power to remove difficultiesS.44 Amendments to other Acts
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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

Section 20: 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 Section 20 applies to

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

Section 20 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.

Section 20 of the DPDP Act: full text

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 Section 20 means for your business

  • 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 about Section 20

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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