Don’t Be Misled: DPDPA Requires Compliance, Not Certification
As organizations across India prepare for the enforcement of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023, one question is frequently misunderstood:
“Can my organization get certified for DPDPA?”
The short answer: No. DPDPA is not a certifiable standard.
Unlike ISO 27001 or SOC 2, DPDPA is a legislative framework, not a voluntary standard or control framework. There is currently no official or government-accredited “DPDPA certification” process. Any claims suggesting otherwise are misleading and risk undermining the integrity of your compliance efforts.
Understanding the Difference: Law vs. Standard
| Element | ISO 27001 | DPDPA |
|---|---|---|
|
Type |
International Standard |
Indian Privacy Law |
|
Nature |
Voluntary Framework |
Mandatory Legislation |
|
Certification? |
Yes, via accredited bodies |
No |
|
Audit Requirement |
Yes, formal audits by certified auditors |
No formal audit; assessment by third party experts |
|
Output |
ISO Certificate (valid for 3 years) |
Annual Compliance Report |
So, What Does DPDPA Compliance Actually Involve?
DPDPA compliance is about aligning your data handling practices with the obligations outlined in the Act. This includes:
- Implementing consent based data processing
- Ensuring purpose limitation and data minimization
- Establishing grievance redressal mechanisms
- Performing breach readiness and incident response planning
- Appointing a Data Protection Officer (for Significant Data Fiduciaries)
- Demonstrating accountability and transparency in operations
These controls and practices must be implemented within your operational, legal, and technical frameworks and evaluated through an independent assessment not certified by a third party body.
The Right Approach: Independent Assessment & Compliance Reporting
At ComplyPlanet, we conduct DPDPA Compliance Assessments led by certified data privacy professionals and lead auditors. Our process includes:
- Reviewing your internal policies and data flows
- Benchmarking controls against the Act’s requirements
- Identifying compliance gaps and risk areas
- Recommending actionable remediations
- Issuing a formal DPDPA Compliance Report to support internal governance and third-party assurance
This assessment helps you demonstrate due diligence whether to your clients, regulators, or stakeholders but it is not a “certification”.
Don’t Fall for Marketing Myths
Beware of vendors claiming to offer “DPDPA Certification.” As of today, no statutory body or recognized certification scheme for DPDPA exists in India.
Compliance with the Act is a continuous governance exercise, not a one-time certifiable event.
In Conclusion
DPDPA is a law, not a standard.
There is no official DPDPA certification. What organizations need is a structured compliance program backed by expert assessments, governance mechanisms, and privacy-by-design implementation.
At ComplyPlanet, we help you build exactly that with legal, operational, and technical expertise to ensure your organization is DPDPA compliant, credible, and future-ready.