In late 2024, I got a call at 9:42 PM. It was from an old client — a founder running a successful D2C health supplement brand. His exact words were:
“We just got a notice from the DPBI. Something about a data breach and a ₹2 crore penalty. We need help. Fast.”
They’d been collecting customer data — health preferences, email IDs, WhatsApp numbers — but never formalized their consent process or audit trails.
That night was the turning point.
We helped them recover, restructure their data practices, and get certified — but just barely dodged the legal bullet.
Since then, I’ve specialized in helping Indian businesses navigate DPDP Act compliance through structured consulting, audits, and privacy-by-design implementation.
This article is my full breakdown of what a DPDP Act consultant in India really does, why it’s now non-negotiable, and how to find the right one.
Why a DPDP Act Consultant in India Is No Longer Optional?
If your business collects personal data — and let’s be honest, almost every digital business does — you are directly liable under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023–25.
And the penalties are no joke:
- ₹250 crore – Max fine for data mishandling
- 72 hours – Mandatory breach reporting window
- 90% of Indian companies – Not ready for full audits (Nasscom Privacy Readiness Study, 2025)
But here’s the kicker: Compliance isn’t just a legal checkbox anymore. It’s a strategic advantage. Customers are choosing brands that respect their data. Investors are rewarding privacy-responsible startups.
A DPDP consultant helps you do both — stay out of court and build trust.
Who Needs a DPDP Consultant?
Think only large corporations need a DPDP consultant? Think again.
You Need a DPDP Consultant If You:
- Collect personal data (name, number, email, IP, etc.)
- Use contact forms, CRMs, or ad tracking pixels
- Share data with vendors or SaaS tools
- Store user data without encryption
- Operate in health, finance, education, or government-linked sectors
We’ve seen sole proprietors and 20-employee firms get DPDP notices. One even got flagged for improper WhatsApp opt-ins.
What a Consultant Does That You Can’t? DIY:
- Conducts legal and technical audits
- Maps your data lifecycle (collection to deletion)
- Designs compliant consent frameworks
- Implements access controls and encryption
- Drafts DPDP-ready privacy policies
- Simulates audit and breach response
- Trains your team and assigns DPO responsibilities
- Issues readiness certificates or connects with auditors
A good consultant doesn’t just point out what’s wrong — they roll up their sleeves and fix it.
How a DPDP Consultant Drives Full Compliance?
At Prgenix, we follow a proven 6-step consulting framework. Here’s exactly how we help clients become DPDP-compliant without drowning in legalese.
Step 1: Privacy Readiness Scorecard
We evaluate your current compliance status using our proprietary scorecard — based on DPDP Act clauses and regulatory expectations.
🧠 Average client score on first check? 39/100
Step 2: Data Mapping & Risk Identification
We document what personal data you collect, where it goes, how it’s stored, who accesses it, and how long it lives.
⚠️ In one project, we found a backend API exposing user birthdates in logs. Client had no idea.
Step 3: Consent Framework Design
We redesign your user-facing touchpoints — web forms, app permissions, chatbots — to capture explicit, granular, and revocable consent.
📲 Bonus: We integrate consent logs with CRMs like Zoho or HubSpot.
Step 4: Policy & Grievance Setup
We draft human-readable privacy policies, internal SOPs, and grievance redressal mechanisms as required under Sections 5–9 of the Act.
Step 5: Tech Implementation Support
We work with your tech team to add encryption, implement access controls, and set up breach detection alerts — without breaking your product.
Step 6: Certification & Mock Audit
Once the system is airtight, we conduct a full simulation of a DPBI audit and issue a certification of compliance with optional third-party validation.
💡 Yes, we also offer ongoing DPO services for SMEs.
Case Study: How We Helped a B2B SaaS Company Win Global Deals Through Compliance?
Client: Enterprise SaaS platform in HR tech
Problem: Lost an MNC deal due to lack of privacy readiness
Solution:
- Conducted full DPDP compliance audit
- Redesigned signup flows and cookie notices
- Integrated AWS encryption protocols
- Created DPIA documentation for their AI module
- Co-trained their dev, sales, and ops teams in 3 weeks
Result:
- Passed third-party audit with 96% score
- Landed ₹3.6 crore in new contracts
- Added “Privacy First” badge to all marketing assets
How to Choose the Right DPDP Act Consultant in India?
Not all consultants are created equal. Many firms just repackage GDPR content and charge a bomb. Here’s what to look for:
✅ Must-Haves:
- Real India-specific DPDP expertise (not just GDPR clones)
- Blend of legal + technical capabilities
- Proven frameworks and sample audit reports
- Experience across industries (especially yours)
- Flexible packages for startups and enterprises
- Long-term support (not just a one-time policy dump)
❌ Red Flags:
- No mention of breach simulation or risk scoring
- Cookie-cutter templates without customization
- Zero dev collaboration — only policy-level advice
- No training or DPO handholding
And please, avoid any provider who can’t explain Section 6 vs Section 8 of the Act in plain Hindi. That’s your signal to run.
FAQs About Hiring a DPDP Consultant in India
1. Is it mandatory to hire a DPDP consultant?
No, but it’s the most efficient way to comply — especially if you lack in-house privacy or legal expertise.
2. What’s the typical cost of hiring a consultant?
Depends on company size and scope. For SMEs, expect ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakhs. For enterprises, it may go higher — but so do the risks.
3. Can’t we just copy a privacy policy from the internet?
Please don’t. Templates rarely match your real practices. You’ll fail audits — and worse, mislead users.
4. How long does full compliance take?
Anywhere from 2 weeks (for lean startups) to 2+ months (for large infra-heavy firms).
5. Will this help with international laws like GDPR too?
Yes — a good consultant can help align your DPDP setup with GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA depending on your markets.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for a ₹2 Crore Fine to Take Privacy Seriously
I’ve seen too many smart founders scramble at the last minute — after a breach, after a notice, or after losing a big deal.
Don’t be that founder.
Hiring a DPDP Act consultant is not about paranoia. It’s about future-proofing your business in India’s new data economy.
You don’t need to do it alone. You just need to do it right.