Home Glossary Personal Data
STATUTORY / OFFICIAL TERM

Personal Data

Any data about an individual who is identifiable by or in relation to such data.

Defined Term in DPDP Legal Framework Verified Statutory Meaning Referenced in Section 2 T
Official Statutory Reference

This concept is formally defined in the legislative text of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

View official statutory text in Section 2 T →

Plain Language Meaning

The term Personal Data refers to Any data about an individual who is identifiable by or in relation to such data. In the context of the DPDP Act, understanding this term is vital for determining rights and obligations.

This is a foundational concept within India's digital privacy framework. Misinterpreting this can lead to severe operational misalignments and potential regulatory scrutiny. We strongly advise organizations to incorporate this definition into their internal training programs.

Key Characteristics

  • It establishes a clear legal boundary.
  • It is heavily scrutinized during audits.
  • It forms the basis of subsequent compliance obligations.

Practical Context

Operationally, organizations must identify instances of Personal Data in their day-to-day workflows. For example, when updating a privacy notice or mapping data flows, distinguishing this concept clearly prevents compliance gaps.

Furthermore, when interacting with third parties or drafting contracts, ensuring alignment on the meaning of this term is a non-negotiable step in vendor risk management.

Statutory Interpretation Notice

Glossary definitions are provided for educational context and operational alignment. In the event of any interpretive variance, the official Gazette text of the DPDP Act, 2023 shall prevail.