International Data Privacy Day 2026: India’s Drive to Safeguard Personal Data

International Data Privacy Day, observed on 28 January, has once again brought data protection into the national spotlight. The day reminds governments and citizens that privacy is central to trust in digital systems. For India, one of the fastest-growing digital economies, this observance underlines the importance of protecting personal data while expanding digital services that millions rely on daily.

Why in News?

International Data Privacy Day 2026 is being marked at a time when India’s digital platforms operate at population scale. The Government has highlighted recent legal reforms, including the DPDP Act, 2023, new DPDP Rules, 2025, and a ₹782 crore cybersecurity allocation in the Union Budget 2025-26.

What Is International Data Privacy Day

• International Data Privacy Day began in 2006, initiated by the Council of Europe to mark the signing of Convention 108, the world’s first binding data protection treaty. The day focuses on awareness about protecting personal information in a digital world.
• For citizens, it reinforces digital rights. For governments, it emphasises responsible data governance.
• For platforms, it underlines accountability. In India’s context, where digital services touch identity, payments, healthcare, and welfare delivery, this day highlights that privacy protection is not optional but essential for sustaining trust and inclusion.

India’s Massive Digital Expansion

• India today is the world’s third-largest digitalised economy. Over 101.7 crore broadband users spend nearly 1,000 minutes online daily, supported by some of the world’s cheapest data rates.
• Platforms like Aadhaar, UPI, MyGov, and eSanjeevani have transformed governance and service delivery. However, this scale also increases risks of data misuse, cyber fraud, and breaches.
• As more sensitive personal data is processed, privacy protection becomes a governance priority. Ensuring that digital growth remains secure is now as important as expanding digital access.

Legal Backbone: IT Act and Intermediary Rules

• The Information Technology Act, 2000 provides the legal foundation for India’s digital governance.
• It enables e-governance, recognises digital signatures, and empowers cybersecurity oversight.
• Institutions like CERT-In act as national incident response bodies. Complementing this, the IT Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021 impose due diligence on online platforms.
• They require grievance redressal systems and accountability, ensuring a safer online environment for users while balancing free expression and security needs.

DPDP Act, 2023: Putting Citizens at the Centre

• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, enacted on 11 August 2023, marks a shift towards citizen-centric data governance.
• It regulates personal data processing and follows the SARAL approach-Simple, Accessible, Rational, and Actionable.
• The Act recognises individuals as Data Principals with rights over consent, access, correction, erasure, and nomination.
• It also establishes the Data Protection Board of India to enforce compliance and address breaches.
• The law balances privacy protection with innovation and public interest.

DPDP Rules, 2025 and Cybersecurity Investments

• Notified in November 2025, the DPDP Rules, 2025 operationalize the Act by defining procedures, timelines, and accountability.
• They strengthen consent mechanisms, breach reporting, and organizational responsibilities.
• Alongside legal reforms, the Government has allocated ₹782 crore for cybersecurity in 2025-26.
• This funding supports digital infrastructure protection, real-time fraud response systems, cyber forensics, and awareness programmes.
• Together, laws and investments aim to make India’s digital ecosystem secure, resilient, and future-ready.

Key Summary at a Glance

Question

Q. International Data Privacy Day is observed on which date?

A. 24 January
B. 26 January
C. 28 January
D. 30 January