---
title: "Section 20: Salary, allowances payable to and term of office"
url: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-20-salary-allowances-payable-to-and-term-of-office/
description: "Section 20 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (Salary, allowances payable to and term of office). Official text verbatim, in force since 13…"
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-20-salary-allowances-payable-to-and-term-of-office/
---
# Section 20: Salary, allowances payable to and term of office

*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 salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson and other Members shall be such as may be prescribed, and shall not be varied to their disadvantage after their appointment.

- **(2)** The Chairperson and other Members shall hold office for a term of two years and shall be eligible for re-appointment.


## Rules made under this section

- [Rule 18: Salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of Chairperson and other Members](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-18-salary-allowances-and-other-terms-and-conditions-of-service/)

## 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.

Section 20 sets out the rules for appointing the Chairperson and Members of the Data Protection Board of India (the Board). The Central Government is responsible for appointing them, using a process that will be set out in future rules. Once they are appointed, their salary, allowances, and other terms of service cannot be changed in a way that disadvantages them.

The law requires the Chairperson and Members to be people of ability, integrity, and standing. They must have special knowledge or practical experience in specific fields. These fields include data governance, law, dispute resolution, information and communication technology, the digital economy, or consumer protection. The Central Government can also accept expertise in other areas it considers useful to the Board. Out of all the members, at least one person must be an expert in the field of law.

The Chairperson and Members are appointed to hold office for a term of exactly two years. After this two-year term ends, they are eligible to be re-appointed to the Board.

### Key points

- The Central Government appoints the Chairperson and Members of the Board in a manner to be prescribed by rules. (2)
- The salary and terms of service for the Chairperson and Members cannot be changed to their disadvantage after they are appointed. (1)
- Members must have expertise in fields like data governance, law, technology, or dispute resolution, and at least one member must be a legal expert. (3)
- The Chairperson and Members serve a two-year term and are eligible for re-appointment. (2)

### Common misreadings

- People might think the Board members serve long or indefinite terms, but the law strictly limits their term to two years, though they can be re-appointed.
- People might assume all members must be technology experts, but the law allows for expertise in various fields like law, consumer protection, or administration, provided at least one member is a law expert.

*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. 20. Official source: https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/06/2bf1f0e9f04e6fb4f8fef35e82c42aa5.pdf