FDPPI is your Privacy Companion

This is in continuation of my response to the question raised by a professional on why anybody should chose FDPPI Certification instead of other certifications available at a  lesser cost.

Naavi’s views on the commoditization of ” CDPO” as a  tag that can be acquired just by registering for an online webinar.

Being a “CDPO” does not end with only knowing DPDPA 2023. It should try to equip the professional the ability to take the responsibility of being a DPO.

We observe that there is a proliferation of “CDPO” courses to take advantage of the rush in demand for professionals to be “Certified as CDPO”.

While it is good that there are many organizations who are into the providing education related to Data Protection, just as it has happened in the ISO certification game, “CDPO” certificates have become a commodity on sale or close to being so.

This should stop.

If anybody can register themselves for a webinar and be called “Certified” DPO, it would dilute the quality of other DPOs who with years of experience and hours of effort try to understand the application of the law into the technical environment in a systematic manner.

There are three elements of being a good DPO. First they should understand the law. Second they should understand how technical architecture has to be re-built to meet the legal requirements. Third, there should be a handbook for guidance of how to meet the requirements.

Lastly, “Participation” in a program is necessary but not sufficient to consider a person “Certified”.

FDPPI therefore provides “participation Certificates” different from the final “Certificate” which is issued only after a successful completion of an examination. “Evaluation based certificates” are different from “Participation Certificates”, both of which have their values but Evaluation based certificates are distinctly superior to Participation certificates.

FDPPI does not end its Certification training with classes on DPDPA 2023 only but discusses the technical challenges and extends it with a “Framework” as a guideline. The “Framework of FDPPI” for DPDPA Compliance is DGPSI which is available as an open source framework both in “Lite” version as well as “Full Version” with an extension for AI Deployment.

At present there is no  other training program that discusses a DPDPA Compliance framework along with the DPDPA law and Implementation challenges.

We want professionals who are aiming to acquire “Knowledge and Skills” donot fall into the trap of picking up “Webinar Participation Certificates” and call themselves “Certified”.

I hope organizations who recruit DPDPA Trained professionals distinguish the two kinds of certificates and ask “Where were you Certified and How?” before accepting any body as a “Certified DPO”.

FDPPI’s C.DPO.DA. program is conducted in offline and online modes from time to time. The next program is being conducted online on December 20 and 21. for which registrations are now open. 

Fees for early birds upto 12th is Rs 25000/-. Subsequently it will be Rs 29500/- with GST.

It is a comprehensive program which covers the law, the technology challenges as well as the implementation framework. The 12 hour online session is supplemented with another 12 hours and 43 minutes of recorded videos which include GDPR coverage in detail. Reading material and recommended books make the kit of the “Certified” professional complete.

The C.DPO.DA. participants get 12 hours of CPE credit and a participation certificate which is different from the final certificate which is issued to those who pass a three hour online examination.

Yes..it is tough to be a C.DPO.DA. from FDPPI but we want “Certificates” to be earned.

All participants of the FDPPI course also get one year complimentary membership of FDPPI for continued interaction with likeminded professionals. This will enable the  participants to continue to be under mentorship of FDPPI/Naavi when they have to implement their acquired knowledge in practice.

So, think before you chose how you are to be “Certified” as DPO.

I hope my friend who asked the question “Why FDPPI” is satisfied.

Any other comment is welcome.

Naavi

The Print Copies of the book DGPSI are now available on Amazon, Flipkart on on the publisher’s website.

The links are

Amazon
Flipkart
WFP (Publisher) Store

DGPSI-AI is a framework for compliance of DPDPA and an extension of DGPSI. It  contains 9 implementation specifications applicable to Data fiduciaries built on the foundation of six principles. It also contains 13 more implementation specifications applicable to AI developers.

The framework has been in existence for last few months and is fully in tune with the recommendation contained in the India AI Guidelines published by MeitY on 5th November 2025.

Naavi

This is to add information related to the C.DPO.DA. training on Nov 1 and 2 at Mumbai.

1.Examination will be offered only after a gap of 1 month so that everybody can prepare.

2. As soon as the rules are published  we will conduct a free online session on the new rules. (Commentary on the existing rules will be made available in a Video prior to the training along with a master class video on DPDPA and GDPR as a refresher to the participants)

3.All participants will receive the participation certificate  immediately. (Verifiable Softcopy from Certopus)

4.One year complimentary FDPPI membership would be provided to  all participants

5. Post the training two DIGs will be formed for follow up one on DPDPA Rules and other on Compliance Tools to provide a continuity of learning to the participants.

6. We are also inviting an industry expert to share his views on ISO 27701:2025 if possible.

7. As part of its celebration of 25 years of existence, Cyber Law College of Naavi will provide a scholarship in the form of reimbursement of 80% fees paid to those who score 70% marks in the examination.

Any other clarification required may kindly be sent to Naavi

FOR REGIATRATION AND FURTHER INFORMATION CLICK HERE

Naavi

In anticipation of the release of the rules within this weekend as hinted by the secretary of MeitY a two day physical training program is being contemplated in Mumbai on November 1 and 2. The program will be from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and held in a hotel in Andheri.

Venue:

IRA By Orchid Mumbai – T2 International Airport (Formerly VITS Mumbai ) Metro Station, Andheri – Kurla Rd, near Chakala, Bhim Nagar, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400059.

The coverage would be

1. Legal nuances of DPDPA and the DPDPA  Rules
2. Classification of DPDPA protected Data (DPD)
3. ROPA as a strategic tool of Compliance
4. Governance  Structuring for meeting the obligations under DPDPA by a Data Fiduciary
5. Technical challenges of Management of Legal Basis for processing and Rights of Data  Principal
6. AI and its challenges in meeting the obligations
7. The Roles of DPO and Data Auditor in the DPDPA era
8. Use of DGPSI as a Compliance Management framework
9. Discussions and case studies

The training would be priced at Rs 15000/- plus GST. (Total Rs 17700/-)Participants would be provided with participation certificates and 12 hours of CPE.

Registration for examination for Certification would be optional.  The fees for examination would be Rs 10000/- plus GST (Total R 11800/-)

The total fees for those who register together would be Rs 25000/-. plus GST. (Total Rs 29,500/-)

The delegate fee will cover breakfast, Lunch and two Tea with snacks.

The registration will be limited to a maximum of 25.  

The program is available offline only. It may be recorded and used for virtual sessions later but concurrent virtual broadcast may not be feasible. Outstation attendees have to make their own arrangements for stay either in the same hotel or otherwise.

The three books namely “Guardians of Privacy…”, “DGPSI, he Perfect  prescription…” and ” Taming the twin risks of DPDPA and AI with DGPSI-AI” would be the reading material. The kindle versions of all three are now available and are recommended for purchase for preparation for the exam which will be open for the batch after November 20th.

REGISTRATION

(Complete the form and make the payment in the link provided)

Naavi

PS: In the unlikely event of the DPDPA rules not being notified, a free Virtual session would be conducted subsequently to all the participants.

Consequent to the DPDPA Rules to be notified by the Government  the following changes are proposed to be made in FDPPI subject to completion of the necessary formalities.

1. Members will be provided an option to accept a new Consent form. Those who opt out would not be considered as “Voting Members” but would continue to be eligible for all other member benefits.
2. Accredited auditors need to get themselves re-certified and re-accredited as per terms to be announced.
3. The new C.DPO.DA. training programs will be conducted with additional sessions covering the new DPDPA Rules and DGPSI-AI.
4. Those who have certified themselves as C.DPO.DA. at present will be provided access to additional sessions covering the new rules and DGPSI AI through recorded sessions or otherwise.
5. The new examinations will be updated for the new DPDPA rules and DGPSI AI. Existing C.DPO.DA. holders will be required to renew their certifications each year by going through the examination once again.

We await the detailed rules to make further modifications as may be required. We have also requested for the views of all members of the FDPPI community before these  changes are formalized.

FDPPI successfully completed the Chennai leg of IDPS 2025 today at MMA auditorium. Event was co-hosted by MMA and was well attended.

The event was inaugurated by Mr H Shankar, the MD of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd, followed by 5 panel discussions on different  topics surrounding DPDPA  and AI DPDPA and AI.

H Shankar, MD, Chennai Petroleum Corporation lights  the lamp in the presence f Naavi, Captain V Vijaykumar (MMA) and Mr D Lakshminarayana, MD, Sundaram Housing Finance Ltd and President MMA

During the occasion, FDPPI honoured R.Ramamurthy, (formerly of Gemini Communications Ltd) and H RMohan (Formerly of Hindu) for their long service to the IT and Data protection industry.

Naavi moderates the first Panel Discussions  with Eka Pillai(YesPanchi), Vasanthika (Arnav legal) and Krithi Shetty. (Privacy Pillar).

Naavi

The IDPS 2025, Bengaluru was successfully concluded yesterday, on September 17, 2025.

Some pictures of the event are found below.

Vice Chancellors of Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Mr Raina and  Ex Vice Chancellor of Bengaluru University Mr Venugopal, watering the plant as a symbolic gesture for inaugurating the program.

Book titled “Taming the twin challenges of DPDPA and AI with DGPSI-AI”, by Naavi being released by the august guests consisting of Retired Justice Sri Subhash Adi in the presence of Vice Chancellor of RUAS, Mr Raina, Ex-Vice Chancellor if Bengaluru University Mr  Venugopal, and Directors of FDPPI.

Members of Panel 1 in discussion

Members of Panel 2 in discussion (Moderated by Nagaraj BS)

Members of Panel 3 in discussion

Members of Panel 4 in discussion. (Moderated by Naavi)

(More pictures will be posted later)

On September 27, the Chennai leg of IDPS 2025 will be conducted at the MMA auditorium, in Thousands Lights, Chennai. Watch out for further information.

Data Protection Experts discuss the impact of DPDPA and Artificial Intelligence at Bengaluru

M S Ramiah Campus in Mathikere-Yashwantpura will be a witness to an interesting one day seminar on 17th September 2025 under the theme “Bracing the Impact of twin Challenges of DPDPA and AI”
The is event jointly organized with the Foundation of Data Protection Professionals in India (FDPPI) and MSR School of Law and supported by FICCI, Bengaluru. Several industry experts will congregate as speakers and delegates to discuss the impact of the impending notification of the new law namely Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (DPDPA 2023).
With Artificial Intelligence usage sweeping across the industry at the same time, compliance to DPDPA given the unprecedented penalties in the range of Rs 250 crores plus has become a huge challenge.
The event will be inaugurated by Retired Justice Sri Subhash B Adi. Former Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University namely Dr K R Venugopal will give a key note address. Dr Kuldeep Kumar Raina , Vice chancellor MSR University will preside. Dr V Vijayakumar, Advisor MSR School of law will provide an overview of the global environment in data protection.
The event will witness discussions on the current status of the Indian law on Data Protection, the global laws of Data Protection and AI regulation and Technical challenges posed by AI in compliance of DPDPA. The seminar will also discuss the Corporate Governance strategies for compliance, and sectoral challenges.
During the event, FDPPI will present a framework for compliance titled DGPSI-AI for “Taming the Twin challenges of DPDPA and AI”. A book of the same title authored by Naavi, the pioneer in the field will also be released.
The event will be held between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm. More details of the event will be available at www.idps2025.in.

FDPPI is launching the IDPS 2025, the flagship event of FDPPI on September 17, 2025

As a prelude to the conference and to ensure that all participants will get refreshed on on the underlying legal and technical background information, FDPPI is organizing a complimentary virtual program “Master Class on DPDPA and Introduction of AI to business Managers” tomorrow.

The program for September 12 is as follows.

Joining link has already been forwarded to all those who have registered for IDPS 2025-September 17 through the registration process.

If any others would like to register for IDPS 2025 now, they can do so at the above link. If any body wants to join the September 12th event as a special guest of FDPPI, they may contact us with their request.

We look forward to interacting with you both on September 12th and September 17. Event of September 17 will be a physical event which will happen in the MSR Institute’s auditorium and will be co-hosted by MSR School of Law and supported by FICCI.

Our Partners for IDPS 2025

Naavi