---
title: "Rule 20: Functioning of Board as digital office"
url: https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/rules/rule-20-functioning-of-board-as-digital-office/
description: "Rule 20 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 (Functioning of Board as digital office). Official text verbatim, in force since 13 november…"
kind: rule
updated: 2026-09-09
official_source: https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2025/267650.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/rules/rule-20-functioning-of-board-as-digital-office/
---
# Rule 20: Functioning of Board as digital office
*The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, G.S.R. 846(E) dated 13 November 2025. In force since 13 November 2025.*
## Official text
The Board shall function as a digital office, without prejudice to its power to summon and enforce the attendance of any person and examine her on oath, may adopt techno-legal measures to conduct proceedings in a manner that does not require physical presence of any individual.
## Made under
- [s. 28 Procedure to be followed by Board](https://dpdp.myndsolution.com/wiki/act/section-28-procedure-to-be-followed-by-board/)
## 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.
Rule 20 establishes that the Data Protection Board of India (the Board) is required to function as a digital office. This means the Board is designed to handle its official work and legal proceedings primarily through digital means, rather than relying entirely on a traditional physical office setup.
To make this possible, the Board is permitted to adopt specific techno-legal measures. These measures allow the Board to conduct its proceedings in a way that does not require the physical presence of any individual. People involved in a dispute or inquiry can participate remotely.
However, operating as a digital office does not take away the Board's traditional legal powers. The rule explicitly clarifies that the Board retains its full authority to summon any person, enforce their physical attendance, and examine them under oath whenever it deems necessary.
### Key points
- The Board is required to function as a digital office.
- The Board may adopt techno-legal measures to conduct proceedings without requiring anyone's physical presence.
- The Board retains its power to summon individuals, enforce their attendance, and examine them under oath.
### Common misreadings
- Assuming that a digital office means the Board cannot force someone to appear in person, when the rule explicitly preserves the power to summon and enforce physical attendance.
*Interpretation prepared 2026-09-09 from the official text only; the official text prevails.*
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Cite as: DPDP Rules, 2025, r. 20. Official source: https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2025/267650.pdf