--- title: "data: meaning under the DPDP Act" url: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/glossary/data/ description: "\"data\" as defined in section 2(h) of the DPDP Act, 2023: the official definition, its plain meaning, and where the term is used." kind: term 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/glossary/data/ --- # data ## Official definition **Act, s. 2(h):** (h) “data” means a representation of information, facts, concepts, opinions or instructions in a manner suitable for communication, interpretation or processing by human beings or by automated means; ## 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. The Act defines "data" in a very broad way. It is not limited to numbers, spreadsheets, or computer code. Instead, "data" means any representation of information, facts, concepts, opinions, or instructions. This wide scope ensures that almost any recorded thought, fact, or directive can fall under the definition. To count as data under this specific provision, the information must be represented in a manner that makes it suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing. This means the information must be in a format that allows it to be shared, understood, or worked with in some practical way. Finally, the definition covers information that can be handled either by human beings or by automated means. This means data includes both formats meant for people to read and digital formats designed strictly for computers or machines to process. The focus is on how the information is represented and its suitability for being processed or communicated, regardless of whether a person or a machine is doing the work. ### Key points - Data includes any representation of information, facts, concepts, opinions, or instructions [2(h)]. - The information must be in a form suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing [2(h)]. - Data can be in a format meant to be handled by human beings [2(h)]. - Data also includes formats meant to be handled by automated means [2(h)]. ### Common misreadings - A reader might think data only refers to digital information processed by computers, but the definition explicitly includes information suitable for processing by human beings. - A reader might assume data only means hard facts, but the text clearly states it also includes concepts, opinions, and instructions. *Interpretation prepared 2026-09-09 from the official text only; the official text prevails.* ## Used in - [s. 1 Short title and commencement](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-1-short-title-and-commencement/) - [s. 3 Application of Act](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-3-application-of-act/) - [s. 4 Grounds for processing personal data](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-4-grounds-for-processing-personal-data/) - [s. 5 Notice](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-5-notice/) - [s. 6 Consent](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-6-consent/) - [s. 7 Certain legitimate uses](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-7-certain-legitimate-uses/) - [s. 8 General obligations of Data Fiduciary](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-8-general-obligations-of-data-fiduciary/) - [s. 9 Processing of personal data of children](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-9-processing-of-personal-data-of-children/) - [s. 10 Additional obligations of Significant Data Fiduciary](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-10-additional-obligations-of-significant-data-fiduciary/) - [s. 11 Right to access information about personal data](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-11-right-to-access-information-about-personal-data/) - [s. 12 Right to correction and erasure of personal data](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-12-right-to-correction-and-erasure-of-personal-data/) - [s. 13 Right of grievance redressal](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-13-right-of-grievance-redressal/) - [s. 14 Right to nominate](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-14-right-to-nominate/) - [s. 15 Duties of Data Principal](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-15-duties-of-data-principal/) - [s. 16 Processing of personal data outside India](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-16-processing-of-personal-data-outside-india/) - [s. 17 Exemptions](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-17-exemptions/) - [s. 18 Establishment of Board](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-18-establishment-of-board/) - [s. 19 Composition and qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-19-composition-and-qualifications-for-appointment-of-chairperson-and-members/) - [s. 22 Resignation by Members and filling of vacancy](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-22-resignation-by-members-and-filling-of-vacancy/) - [s. 27 Powers and functions of Board](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-27-powers-and-functions-of-board/) - [s. 28 Procedure to be followed by Board](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-28-procedure-to-be-followed-by-board/) - [s. 33 Penalties](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-33-penalties/) - [s. 36 Power to call for information](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-36-power-to-call-for-information/) - [s. 37 Power of Central Government to issue directions](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-37-power-of-central-government-to-issue-directions/) - [s. 40 Power to make rules](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-40-power-to-make-rules/) - [s. 44 Amendments to certain Acts](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-44-amendments-to-certain-acts/) - [r. 1 Short title and commencement](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-1-short-title-and-commencement/) - [r. 3 Notice given by Data Fiduciary to Data Principal](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-3-notice-given-by-data-fiduciary-to-data-principal/) - [r. 4 Registration and obligations of Consent Manager](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-4-registration-and-obligations-of-consent-manager/) - [r. 5 Processing of personal data for provision or issue of subsidy, benefit, service, certificate, licence or permit by State and its instrumentalities](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-5-processing-of-personal-data-for-provision-or-issue-of/) - [r. 6 Reasonable security safeguards](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-6-reasonable-security-safeguards/) - [r. 7 Intimation of personal data breach](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-7-intimation-of-personal-data-breach/) - [r. 8 Time period for specified purpose to be deemed as no longer being served](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-8-time-period-for-specified-purpose-to-be-deemed-as-no-longer/) - [r. 9 Contact information of person to answer questions about processing](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-9-contact-information-of-person-to-answer-questions-about/) - [r. 10 Verifiable consent for processing of personal data of child](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-10-verifiable-consent-for-processing-of-personal-data-of-child/) - [r. 11 Verifiable consent for processing of personal data of person with disability who has lawful guardian](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-11-verifiable-consent-for-processing-of-personal-data-of-person/) - [r. 12 Exemptions from certain obligations applicable to processing of personal data of child](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-12-exemptions-from-certain-obligations-applicable-to-processing/) - [r. 13 Additional obligations of Significant Data Fiduciary](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-13-additional-obligations-of-significant-data-fiduciary/) - [r. 14 Rights of Data Principals](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-14-rights-of-data-principals/) - [r. 15 Transfer of personal data outside the territory of India](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-15-transfer-of-personal-data-outside-the-territory-of-india/) - [r. 16 Exemption from Act for research, archiving or statistical purposes](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-16-exemption-from-act-for-research-archiving-or-statistical/) - [r. 23 Calling for information from Data Fiduciary or intermediary](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-23-calling-for-information-from-data-fiduciary-or-intermediary/)