---
title: "Section 26: Powers of Chairperson"
url: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-26-powers-of-chairperson/
description: "Section 26 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (Powers of Chairperson). Official text verbatim, in force since 13 november 2025, with…"
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-26-powers-of-chairperson/
---
# Section 26: Powers of Chairperson

*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

The Chairperson shall exercise the following powers, namely:—
- **(a)** general superintendence and giving direction in respect of all administrative matters of the Board;

- **(b)** authorise any officer of the Board to scrutinise any intimation, complaint, reference or correspondence addressed to the Board; and

- **(c)** authorise performance of any of the functions of the Board and conduct any of its proceedings, by an individual Member or groups of Members and to allocate proceedings among them.




## 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 26 sets out the specific powers granted to the Chairperson of the Board. The Board is the body established to enforce this law. Under this section, the Chairperson is responsible for the general superintendence and direction of all administrative matters concerning the Board.\n\nThe Chairperson also manages how the Board handles incoming information. They have the power to authorise any officer of the Board to review and scrutinise documents. This applies to any intimation, complaint, reference, or correspondence that is addressed to the Board.\n\nFinally, the Chairperson controls how the Board's work is distributed. They can authorise an individual Member or groups of Members to perform specific functions of the Board and to conduct its proceedings. The Chairperson is also responsible for allocating these proceedings among the different Members.

### Key points

- The Chairperson has general superintendence and gives direction on all administrative matters of the Board (a).
- The Chairperson can authorise any Board officer to scrutinise intimations, complaints, references, or correspondence (b).
- The Chairperson can authorise individual Members or groups of Members to perform Board functions and conduct proceedings (c).
- The Chairperson is responsible for allocating proceedings among the Members of the Board (c).

### Common misreadings

- People might think the Chairperson must personally review every complaint, but the text states they can authorise any officer of the Board to scrutinise them.
- People might assume the full Board must sit for every proceeding, but the Chairperson can authorise an individual Member or groups of Members to conduct them.

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