---
title: "Section 31: Alternate dispute resolution"
url: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-31-alternate-dispute-resolution/
description: "Section 31 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (Alternate dispute resolution). Official text verbatim, comes into force on 13 may 2027, 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-31-alternate-dispute-resolution/
---
# Section 31: Alternate dispute resolution

*The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (No. 22 of 2023), Chapter VII: APPEAL AND ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Comes into force on 13 May 2027.*

## Official text

If the Board is of the opinion that any complaint may be resolved by mediation, it may direct the parties concerned to attempt resolution of the dispute through such mediation by such mediator as the parties may mutually agree upon, or as provided for under any law for the time being in force in India.



## 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 31 allows the Board (the regulatory body overseeing the Act) to direct the use of mediation for resolving complaints. If the Board believes a dispute can be settled this way, it can instruct the involved parties to attempt mediation. The parties have the freedom to mutually agree on who will act as the mediator. If they do not choose one themselves, the mediation can be conducted by a mediator provided under any other law currently in force in India. This provision offers a collaborative way to resolve disputes outside of standard Board proceedings.

### Key points

- The Board can direct parties to attempt mediation if it believes a complaint can be resolved that way.
- The parties involved can mutually agree on a mediator.
- Mediation can also be handled by a mediator provided under any other existing Indian law.

### Common misreadings

- Assuming the Board will always appoint the mediator, when the law actually allows the parties to mutually agree on one.

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