How to handle DPDPA data deletion requests without breaking your business

If you process personal data in India, handling deletion requests isn't optional. Between DPDPA's strict timelines, third-party obligations, and the May 2027 deadline, deletion compliance isn't just about avoiding penalties. It's about building trust and preventing operational chaos.

But with deletion requirements spanning databases, backups, processors, and cloud systems, how do you ensure comprehensive compliance?

In this blog, we've analyzed DPDPA's deletion requirements and broken them down:

• What the law mandates
• Which businesses face special requirements
• Where manual processes fail, and automation succeeds

We'll cover everything from legal timelines and penalties to implementation and audit trails. Because the best deletion system scales with your business.

What is DPDPA data deletion compliance?

DPDPA deletion compliance ensures businesses erase personal data when consent is withdrawn or the purpose is fulfilled. But compliance goes deeper than hitting delete.

Behind the scenes, it must:

• Locate data across all systems, including backups and processors
• Execute deletion while preserving legally required information
• Maintain audit trails proving deletion occurred
• For certain categories listed in the Rules’ Third Schedule, erasure may be preceded by a 48-hour intimation before deletion
• Retain certain security/access logs for at least one year

What should you look for in a deletion solution?

Here's what matters when choosing the right approach:

Comprehensive discovery – Find all personal data instances across systems

Legal compliance – Handle DPDPA's May 2027 deadline

Automation capability – Process requests without manual intervention

Third-party integration – Coordinate deletion with processors

Audit trails – Create legally defensible deletion records

Exception handling – Preserve data required for legal holds

Penalty avoidance – Prevent violations costing ₹50-250 crore

Whether you're a payment company or NBFC, the right system makes compliance easier.

Best Practices for DPDPA Data Deletion

1. Redacto

Best for: Organizations that need accurate, AI-driven visibility into where personal data exists before implementing deletion workflows.

Redacto provides AI-powered data discovery and mapping, helping organizations gain a complete view of their data landscape, a critical first step for DPDPA compliance.

Everything's built for DPDPA's requirements. Redacto's Privacy Engine maps databases automatically. Configure policies, connect systems, and let automation handle the rest.

Standout features

• Automated discovery across databases, applications, and cloud environments
• Intelligent classification of sensitive data (PII, financial, health data)
• Data profiling and inventory creation
• Data lineage mapping to visualize data flows
• Reduced reliance on manual spreadsheets and error-prone processes

Keep in mind:

• Redacto focuses on discovery and mapping, not direct deletion execution
• Deletion, retention enforcement, and audit workflows can be built on top of this visibility layer

Initial setup requires access to data sources for scanning and mapping

2. Manual Processes

Best for: Small businesses with simple structures and low volumes.

Manual deletion uses spreadsheets and email trails. While possible for small operations, it becomes unsustainable quickly.

Characteristics

• Teams must know data locations
• Manual tracking per request
• No automated audit trails
• High risk of missing data
• Time-consuming verification

Keep in mind:

• Error rates increase with volume
• No protection against penalties

Risky for growth businesses.

3. In-House Development

Best for: Large enterprises with technical resources.

Custom systems give control but require substantial investment.

Requirements

• Dedicated development team
• DPDPA expertise
• System integration capabilities
• Ongoing maintenance

Keep in mind:

• May exceed the May 2027 deadline
• Requires constant updates

Resource-intensive for specific needs.

Your deletion compliance shouldn't depend on manual processes

Manual deletion processes increase the risk of missed data, inconsistent execution, and poor documentation.

Building a scalable deletion framework starts with accurate data discovery and mapping. Without knowing where personal data exists and how it moves, even well-designed deletion policies can fail in practice.

Redacto helps organizations establish this foundation by providing AI-driven visibility into their data ecosystem, enabling teams to design deletion workflows that are informed, consistent, and scalable as regulatory requirements evolve.

Set up in days and start protecting your business.

FAQs

1. When do DPDPA deletion requirements become mandatory?

Major operational obligations under DPDPA are expected to apply from May 2027, approximately 18 months after notification, as part of a phased commencement approach.

2. What are the penalties for non-compliance?

DPDPA penalties range from ₹50 crore to ₹250 crore, depending on violation type, with the highest penalty for security safeguard failures.

3. How long can businesses retain data?

Personal data must be erased once consent is withdrawn or the purpose is fulfilled, unless retention is required for compliance with applicable law. Certain records, such as security or access logs, may be subject to minimum retention periods under the Rules.

4. Do deletion requirements apply to third-party processors?

Yes, Data Fiduciaries must ensure their processors also delete data, requiring contractual obligations and verification mechanisms.

5. How does Redacto automate deletion compliance?

Redacto supports deletion compliance by providing accurate discovery, classification, and mapping of personal data, helping organizations understand where data exists and how it flows. This visibility enables businesses to design and implement effective deletion and retention workflows.