Question 1

What is a DPDP audit?

Accepted Answer

A DPDP audit is an independent assessment of how your organisation collects, uses, stores and shares digital personal data, measured against the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and the DPDP Rules. DPDP Audits tests 67 controls mapped across 21 sections of the Act and reports the gaps, with a remediation roadmap signed off by a CISA-certified auditor.

Question 2

Who needs to comply with the DPDP Act 2023?

Accepted Answer

Any organisation that processes digital personal data in India, and any organisation outside India that processes such data to offer goods or services to people in India, is a Data Fiduciary under the Act. This covers banks, NBFCs, fintechs, hospitals, e-commerce, EdTech, SaaS and most businesses that hold customer or employee data.

Question 3

When do DPDP Act obligations come into force?

Accepted Answer

The DPDP Rules 2025 were notified in November 2025 with a phased rollout. Provisions setting up the Data Protection Board of India took effect immediately, Consent Manager provisions follow after 12 months, and the core Data Fiduciary obligations — notice, consent, security safeguards, breach reporting and data principal rights — apply 18 months after notification, from May 2027.

Question 4

What are the penalties for non-compliance with the DPDP Act?

Accepted Answer

The Data Protection Board of India can impose penalties of up to ₹250 crore for a failure to take reasonable security safeguards to prevent a personal data breach, with other penalties scaled by the type of breach under the Schedule to the Act.

Question 5

How much does a DPDP compliance audit cost?

Accepted Answer

A one-time, project-based DPDP audit costs ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh per engagement. Ongoing DPO advisory on a monthly retainer costs ₹25,000 to ₹45,000 per month. Prices are indicative; the final fee depends on organisation size, data volume and scope, and GST applies.

Question 6

Is AI used to reach audit conclusions?

Accepted Answer

No. AI-assisted Computer Audit Tools (CAATs) gather and organise evidence and report observations only. Every compliance determination, materiality assessment and audit opinion is made personally by Ram Krishan Dudeja, CISA, in line with ISACA and IIA professional standards.

Question 7

Do you offer DPDP audits across India?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DPDP Audits works with organisations Pan-India, both remotely and on-site.

Question 8

Can an IS audit or CERT-IN empanelled firm partner with DPDP Audits?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the Annual Audit Partner model, DPDP Audits works as a sub-contractor adding a DPDP module to your existing client engagements, on a day rate of ₹18,000 to ₹28,000 or a 20–30% revenue share, with the report co-branded with your firm.

DPDP Act 2023 Guides and Sector Compliance Resources

Getting started

DPDP Rules 2025 Explained: Timeline and Key Obligations

DPDP Audit Checklist: What an Auditor Will Test

DPDP compliance by sector

DPDP Compliance for Banks, NBFCs and Fintechs

DPDP Compliance for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers

DPDP Compliance for E-commerce and D2C Brands

DPDP Compliance for EdTech Platforms and Schools

DPDP Compliance for SaaS and IT Services Companies

DPDP Compliance for Insurers, Brokers and TPAs