---
title: "Significant Data Fiduciary: meaning under the DPDP Act"
url: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/glossary/significant-data-fiduciary/
description: "\"Significant Data Fiduciary\" as defined in section 2(z) 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/significant-data-fiduciary/
---
# Significant Data Fiduciary

## Official definition

**Act, s. 2(z):** (z) “Significant Data Fiduciary” means any Data Fiduciary or class of Data Fiduciaries as may be notified by the Central Government under section 10;


## 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 Digital Personal Data Protection Act defines a "Significant Data Fiduciary" as a specific category of Data Fiduciary. A Data Fiduciary is any person or entity that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data. The Act itself does not provide a fixed checklist or mathematical threshold to determine who falls into this category. Instead, the definition relies entirely on future actions by the Central Government.\n\nUnder section 10 of the Act, the Central Government has the authority to officially notify which entities receive this designation. The government can choose to notify a single, specific Data Fiduciary as "Significant," or it can notify an entire class or group of Data Fiduciaries all at once.\n\nBecause the definition depends on these government notifications, an entity only becomes a Significant Data Fiduciary when the Central Government explicitly says it is. This structure gives the government the flexibility to identify which organizations must follow the stricter rules and obligations that the Act assigns to Significant Data Fiduciaries.

### Key points

- A Significant Data Fiduciary is a specific Data Fiduciary or a class of Data Fiduciaries. (Section 2(z))
- The Central Government holds the power to notify who qualifies for this designation. (Section 2(z))
- This notification by the Central Government is made under section 10 of the Act. (Section 2(z))

### Common misreadings

- Readers might assume the definition includes specific metrics like user count or revenue, but it relies entirely on Central Government notifications.

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

## Used in

- [s. 10 Additional obligations of Significant Data Fiduciary](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-10-additional-obligations-of-significant-data-fiduciary/)
- [s. 40 Power to make rules](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-40-power-to-make-rules/)
- [r. 13 Additional obligations of Significant Data Fiduciary](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-13-additional-obligations-of-significant-data-fiduciary/)