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DPDP Rules, 2025 · Rule 20 of 23

Rule 20: Functioning of Board as Digital Office

Rule 20 is a one-line rule with a practical consequence: you may never need to physically visit the Data Protection Board's office to deal with a matter before it.

In force since 13 November 2025Reviewed September 2026
Previous: Rule 19 — Procedure for Meetings of Board and Authentication of Its Orders, Directions and InstrumentsNext: Rule 21 — Terms and Conditions of Appointment and Service of Officers and Employees of Board
CommencementIn force since 13 November 2025
DPDP Rules, 2025 · Rule 20 of 23

Quick summary

In plain terms: The Board functions as a digital office. It can summon and examine anyone on oath, and adopt techno-legal measures to conduct proceedings without requiring anyone's physical presence.

What Rule 20 says

  • The Board functions as a digital office, without prejudice to its power to summon and enforce attendance and examine any person on oath.
  • It may adopt techno-legal measures to conduct proceedings in a manner that doesn't require physical presence of any individual.

Breaking it down

The key practical point: “digital office” doesn't mean the Board has fewer powers — it retains full summons and oath-examination authority — it just means those powers can be exercised remotely.

This shapes what a Board interaction will realistically look like. If your organisation is ever summoned by the Board or needs to respond to an inquiry, Rule 20 tells you it's reasonable to expect this can happen digitally — video hearings, electronic filings and remote examination — rather than requiring travel to a physical office.

It doesn't reduce the seriousness of the proceeding. Being examined “on oath” remotely carries the same legal weight as an in-person examination would — the digital format is a convenience of process, not a reduction in formality or consequence.

Why this rule matters

For a body handling matters from across the entire country, a digital-first operating model is what makes the Board practically accessible — both to complainants and to the businesses it inquires into — without everyone needing to travel to a central physical location.

Real-world example

Example: Responding to a Board summonsA regional business receives a summons to appear before the Board regarding a complaint. Rather than needing to travel to the Board's physical office, Rule 20 means the business can expect the proceeding to be conducted through a digital/video format — while still being legally bound by whatever it states under oath, exactly as if it were in person.

Who needs to care about this rule

  • Anyone summoned by, or filing with, the Data Protection Board — useful to know proceedings can be conducted remotely.

Common questions

Does a digital hearing carry less legal weight than an in-person one?
No — the Board retains its full power to summon, enforce attendance and examine on oath; the digital format changes how proceedings happen, not their legal seriousness.
Will I ever need to visit the Board's physical office?
Rule 20 is designed specifically so that physical presence isn't required, though the Board retains the power to summon and examine individuals as needed through whatever format it determines.
Does Rule 22 (Appellate Tribunal appeals) work the same way?
Yes — the Appellate Tribunal is also empowered to function as a digital office under Rule 22.

Related rules

Rule 19 — Procedure for Meetings of Board and Authentication of Its Orders, Directions and Instruments

Read the previous rule in sequence.

Read Rule 19

Rule 21 — Terms and Conditions of Appointment and Service of Officers and Employees of Board

Continue to the next rule in sequence.

Read Rule 21

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