---
title: "Section 19: Composition and qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members"
url: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-19-composition-and-qualifications-for-appointment-of-chairperson-and-members/
description: "Section 19 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (Composition and qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members). Official text…"
kind: act-section
updated: 2026-09-09
official_source: https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/06/2bf1f0e9f04e6fb4f8fef35e82c42aa5.pdf
text_type: official-text-plus-interpretation
publisher: MYND Integrated Solutions
license: Official Government of India texts are reproduced verbatim (public domain / open government data). Interpretation is CC BY 4.0, MYND Integrated Solutions.
disclaimer: Not legal advice. Official text prevails over any interpretation.
html_version: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-19-composition-and-qualifications-for-appointment-of-chairperson-and-members/
---
# Section 19: Composition and qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members

*The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (No. 22 of 2023), Chapter V: DATA PROTECTION BOARD OF INDIA. In force since 13 November 2025.*

## Official text

- **(1)** The Board shall consist of a Chairperson and such number of other Members as the Central Government may notify.

- **(2)** The Chairperson and other Members shall be appointed by the Central Government in such manner as may be prescribed.

- **(3)** The Chairperson and other Members shall be a person of ability, integrity and standing who possesses special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of data governance, administration or implementation of laws related to social or consumer protection, dispute resolution, information and communication technology, digital economy, law, regulation or techno-regulation, or in any other field which in the opinion of the Central Government may be useful to the Board, and at least one among them shall be an expert in the field of law.


## Rules made under this section

- [Rule 17: Appointment of Chairperson and other Members](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-17-appointment-of-chairperson-and-other-members/)

## Interpretation in plain English (not legal advice)

> This is a plain-English interpretation of the official text, prepared by the DPDP Wiki editorial team. It is not the law and not legal advice, and it may be incomplete or wrong. Always rely on the official text of the Act, the Rules and the notifications, and take advice from a qualified professional for your situation.

This section establishes the basic makeup of the Data Protection Board of India, which is the regulatory body mentioned throughout the law. According to this provision, the Board must be led by a single Chairperson. In addition to the Chairperson, the Board will consist of other Members who help carry out its duties.\n\nThe law itself does not specify a fixed minimum or maximum number of these additional Members. Instead, it gives the Central Government the direct authority to determine the overall size of the Board. The Central Government will officially notify the public about exactly how many other Members will be appointed to serve alongside the Chairperson.\n\nBy leaving the exact number open, the text allows the Central Government to set and adjust the number of Members through official notifications as it sees fit.

### Key points

- The Board must be led by a Chairperson (1).
- The Board will also include a number of other Members (1).
- The Central Government has the power to decide and officially notify the exact number of these other Members (1).

### Common misreadings

- Assuming the law sets a fixed maximum or minimum number of Board Members, when it actually leaves this entirely to the Central Government to notify.

*Interpretation prepared 2026-09-09 from the official text only; the official text prevails.*

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Cite as: Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, s. 19. Official source: https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/06/2bf1f0e9f04e6fb4f8fef35e82c42aa5.pdf