The Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that finalizing the crucial Data Protection Rules is among the Centre's foremost priorities, with a stakeholders' consultation expected to commence in the near future.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr. Vaishnaw commented that work on drafting the subordinate legislation had commenced late last year, ahead of the recent general elections, and is now at an advanced stage. While declining to specify a timeline, he emphasized that undue haste will be avoided to ensure the rules adequately address industry and privacy concerns.
It has been over a year since Parliament passed the landmark Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, which seeks to safeguard individual privacy and facilitate the growth of the digital economy. However, for the legislation to be fully operational, at least 25 rules must still be formalized.
The Minister assured that the overall policy framework for the technology sector, encompassing the privacy law, telecom law and successor to the IT Act, will remain balanced. On the manufacturing front, scaling up domestic component supply chains is the next key focus, after major investments were secured under the semiconductor incentive program.
Once finalized and notified for feedback, the long-awaited Data Protection Rules are aimed at providing clarity to organizations on compliance with the Act's various provisions, including around sensitive personal data and government access. Their release represents a major step towards establishing a robust regulatory regime governing India's burgeoning digital and technology landscape.
