Data Privacy & Digital Economy•Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)•2019 → 2022

Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019

Status: Withdrawn

Category: Digital Privacy & IT Law

Successor: Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023

Executive Inquest Summary

“Withdrawn by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in August 2022 to introduce a leaner, modern, and principle-based DPDP Act 2023.”

1. Original Objective & Statutory Design

Instituted in 2019 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to govern data privacy & digital economy. Aimed at addressing core governance challenges and structural priorities of its era.

2. Implementation Architecture & Frontline Delivery

Administered under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through federal coordination, state-level departments, and executive oversight mechanisms.

3. Rationale for Action, Repeal or Replacement

Joint Parliamentary Committee recommended 81 extensive amendments and 12 policy recommendations; tech industry opposed onerous cross-border data localization.

Subsequent Legal or Administrative Framework:

Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023

4. Empirical Evidence & Official Documentation

Official parliamentary records, ministry gazette notifications, and statutory review committee assessments concerning Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.

Institutional Memory & Enduring Lessons

What Should Be Retained, Redesigned, or Revived?

Status: Withdrawn. Replacement: Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. Demonstrates the systemic lifecycle of public policy in India—highlighting how changes in state capacity, federal dynamics, and technological capability render legacy frameworks obsolete or require complete legislative overhaul.

Verified Administrative & Evaluation Sources

Official Gazette of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Parliamentary Standing Committee Reports (2022)
Law Commission of India & Ministry Transition Notes