The government is preparing to significantly shorten the compliance timeline under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced, signaling a sharper push for faster implementation of India’s data protection framework. The current 18-month transition period, previously granted to businesses and data fiduciaries to align with the new law, will be reduced to ensure quicker adoption of privacy-first practices across sectors.
Vaishnaw stated that the government has received strong feedback from industry leaders, startups, and global technology companies, all of whom emphasized the need for clearer guardrails and faster rollout to enable standardized data protection across digital platforms. By shortening the timeline, the Ministry aims to strike a balance between ease of compliance and the urgency to safeguard personal data in a rapidly expanding digital economy.
The revised compliance window is expected to be announced soon, along with updated guidelines and sector-specific advisory notes. Officials indicated that the government will offer phased support, including templates for consent management, breach reporting standards, cybersecurity controls, and mechanisms for processing sensitive personal data. This accelerated schedule will be accompanied by awareness programs and capacity-building initiatives, especially for MSMEs and emerging startups.
The move reflects India’s evolving approach to digital governance, placing greater accountability on companies that handle user data. As digital services scale and AI adoption grows, the government aims to ensure that privacy becomes a foundational element, not an afterthought. The shortened timeline underscores India’s commitment to global-standard data governance and a secure, trusted digital ecosystem.
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