---
title: "specified purpose: meaning under the DPDP Act"
url: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/glossary/specified-purpose/
description: "\"specified purpose\" as defined in section 2(za) 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/specified-purpose/
---
# specified purpose

## Official definition

**Act, s. 2(za):** (za) “specified purpose” means the purpose mentioned in the notice given by the Data Fiduciary to the Data Principal in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder; and


## 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 "specified purpose" as the exact reason a Data Fiduciary (the entity deciding how and why data is processed) collects and uses a Data Principal's (the individual to whom the data relates) personal data. This reason must be clearly stated in the notice that the Data Fiduciary gives to the Data Principal.\n\nThe definition ties the purpose directly to the formal notice required by the Act and its accompanying rules. This means a purpose is only considered a "specified purpose" if it is actually written down and presented to the individual in that notice, following the procedures set out in the law.\n\nBy defining it this way, the Act ensures that the reasons for processing personal data are transparent and formally communicated. A Data Fiduciary cannot rely on vague or unstated reasons; the purpose must be explicitly mentioned in the notice provided to the Data Principal.

### Key points

- The term refers to the specific reason for processing personal data that is mentioned in the formal notice. (2(za))
- The notice containing this purpose must be given by the Data Fiduciary to the Data Principal. (2(za))
- The notice and the purpose mentioned within it must comply with the provisions of the Act and any rules made under it. (2(za))

### Common misreadings

- A Data Fiduciary might assume any internal business reason counts as a specified purpose, but it only counts if it is actually mentioned in the notice given to the Data Principal.

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

## Used in

- [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. 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. 15 Duties of Data Principal](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-15-duties-of-data-principal/)
- [s. 40 Power to make rules](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-40-power-to-make-rules/)
- [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. 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/)