Empanel, Engage, Empower

The profession of Independent Data Auditor is the new destination for those professionals who were so far feeling left out of the DPDPA revolution in India.

DPDPA expects every Significant Data Fiduciary to appoint an Independent Data Auditor for an annual Compliance Audit or DPIA.

AIDAI has adopted the principle of “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam” and inviting professionals such as Advocates, ISO 27001 auditors, Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants and other auditors who are already auditing Data for different purposes to join the community of “Independent Data Auditor”.

To explain what this means, we are inviting you for a webinar on 23rd May 2026 at 11.00 am.

The Secretary of AIDAI has sent the following message which is meant for all professionals who are interested in knowing what an IDA is :

Dear Professional Friends,

We are delighted to inform you that the ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT DATA AUDITORS OF INDIA (AIDAI), was established in April 2026 as a pioneering new vertical of FOUNDATION OF DATA PROTECTION PROFESSIONALS IN INDIA (FDPPI).

This initiative marks a significant milestone in India’s evolving data protection and digital governance landscape, arriving at a time when organisations across sectors are preparing to align themselves with the transformative framework introduced under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Regime.

AIDAI has been conceived as a forward-looking professional platform dedicated to building a credible ecosystem of INDEPENDENT DATA AUDITORS (IDA) capable of supporting organisations in achieving robust privacy and compliance standards. The platform creates a unique and timely professional pathway for experienced CAs, ICMAs, CS, Legal, GST practitioners and similarly placed professionals, and Governance practitioners, presently in auditing field, to expand their expertise into the rapidly emerging domain of Data Protection Auditing and Privacy Compliance Services. For more information, please listen to YouTube presentations @

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p2JWVG47Qk  and

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4MF_RdCAX4&t=390s

As you are aware FDPPI is a Section 8 non-profit organisation driven by a nationwide network of distinguished Data Protection and Privacy professionals under the able leadership of Vijayashankar Nagaraja Rao, popularly known as Naavi, a pioneer in the field of Cyber Laws in India. With a vibrant membership base of over 500 professionals across India, FDPPI has consistently worked towards promoting awareness, capacity building, professional excellence, and responsible data governance practices in the country.

Now AIDAI aims to expand privacy-compliance services by formally empanelling qualified professionals to perform DATA PROTECTION AUDITS, ASSESSMENTS, AND ADVISORY SERVICES for businesses seeking compliance under DPDPA 2023, DPDP Rules 2025, and related frameworks. Here are 3 different Empanelment categories of IDA’s and their benefits

1) Probationary Independent Data Auditor (PIDA): Rs3540/- inclusive of GST

Empanelment of Probationary Independent Data Auditors is open to all interested persons to take up Data Auditing.

Benefits: Mentored placement with experienced auditors, discounted training and practice labs, access to sample audit materials, and a pathway to AIDA upon meeting experience and training milestones.

2) Accredited Independent Data Auditor (AIDA): Rs7080/- inclusive of GST

Empanelment  of Accredited Independent Auditors is restricted to those who hold relevant certifications in Privacy or Information Security or Law or Chartered Accountancy, or Cost Accountancy or Company Secretary or other approved certifications. (Check for clarification if required). Necessary evidence needs to be provided for confirmation.

Benefits: Inclusion in AIDAI directory, eligibility for Sectorial-focused audit projects, access to audit templates and checklists, discounted FDPPI resources and webinars, and referral support for client engagements.

3) Certified Independent Data Auditor (CIDA) : Rs11800/- inclusive of GST

Empanelment of Certified Independent Data Auditors is restricted to those who have passed the CIDA examination of FDPPI.

Benefits: Priority listing for large-scale audit assignments, eligibility to lead multi-auditor engagements, FDPPI endorsement for client proposals, continuing professional development credits, and preferential rates on FDPPI training and certification renewals.

Welcome to Introductory Free Webinar: Saturday, 23rd May 2026 @ 11:00AM to introduce AIDAI, explain the empanelment process, and answer your questions, we are organizing a webinar on Saturday, 23rd May 2026 @ 11:00AM.

The session will cover empanelment criteria, application process, code of conduct, empanelment workflow, and commercial terms. There will be a live Q&A to address role-specific queries for Legal and GST professionals.

Please register to join the webinar using the Zoom link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88286391275?pwd=wrP6fgGrCWTOVPv9p53RFvo22JgeJo.1

Meeting ID: 882 8639 1275
Passcode: 700473

Time: Saturday, 23rd May 2026 @ 11:00AM

We believe AIDAI will create meaningful professional opportunities and help expand high-quality data protection audit capacity, especially for MSMEs that need practical, affordable compliance support. We look forward to your participation and questions during the webinar.

Warm regards,

Srivatsa. R
Chapter Representative, FDPPI / AIDAI
secretary@aidai.org.in

For more details visit https://aidai.org.in  and  https://fdppi.in;

Dear Friends,

This message is for all paid members, Complimentary members and telegram group members now associated with FDPPI.

As you have observed, FDPPI has now started the new Association of Independent Data Auditors of India (AIDAI) as a separate division. This division will pursue activities of managing Data Audit as a revenue generation activity.

The division will empanel professionals in three categories namely Probationary Independent Data Auditor, Accredited Independent Data Auditor and Certified Independent Data Auditor.

Empanelment will be on the basis of one year empanelment fee. For Probationary IDA, no eligibility criteria is there.

It is meant for persons who want to develop themselves into IDA s through a systematic development program including training and opportunities to be associated with other audit entities. The empanelment fee is Rs 3000/-p.a.+gst.

All those who are certified by FDPPI under CDPODA program are eligible for registration at a fee of Rs 10000/- per year+gst. Every professional who has an accreditation from any approved organizations such as DSCI, DPO Club or hold certifications such as IAPP, ISO lead audit, ISACA, Advocates (practicing or not) or other organizations approved by the designated committee can register under the Accredited IDA category at a price of Rs 6000/- +GST.

AIDAI in due course may be hived off as a separate unit so that Audit functions will be under the banner of AIDAI and Consultancy and Education will continue under the banner of FDPPI.

Currently, AIDAI is being managed by Mr Vijayendra Shenoy as CEO with a team of his own.

The Board of FDPPI consisting of Naavi, Ramesh and Nagendra are in the Governance Committee along with Mr Ashok Kini, M G Kodandaram and Mr R Srivatsa.

We are also setting up an Advisory group currently consisting of Mr Rakesh Maheshwari, Kamalesh Bajaj, K S. Madhava Murthy, Sudarshan Mandyam and a few more veterans from the industry.

The Governing committee and the Advisory Group will provide guidance to the CEO and his team for management of AIDAI.

Mr Shenoy will generate a communication to all the members of FDPPI separately.

For all the current members of FDPPI some of whom are paid category, a special offer valid upto May 31st 2026 has been worked out. Under this offer they are eligible to empanel themselves as any of the three categories of IDAs at a discount of 50%. (Rs 1500+gst or Rs 3000+gst or Rs 5000+gst).

Other complimentary members can avail a special discount of 20% (2400+gst or 4800+gst or 8000+gst). GST would be 18%. This offer will end on May 31st 2026.

On June 6th we will conduct an induction program at Bangalore to initiate all the empanelled members. Further activities will be coordinated by Mr Shenoy, Mr Ashok Kini and Mr Srivatsa.

Further details can be obtained by sending an email to secretary@aidai.org.in.

While FDPPI will chart out a more focussed educational track and continue to conduct trainings and certification examinations with the assistance of Training partners including the “FDPPI Study Centers” and “Associate Faculty Members”, in due course the separation of functional responsibilities would be undertaken.

Kindly contact Mr Shenoy or his team through the website www.aidai.org.in for further information.

This is an advance information from Naavi to all of you who are the backbone of FDPPI and now its AIDAI initiative which should open a new era of professionals. You may give your suggestions if any to AIDAI to ensure your continued support to all our activities.

AIDAI will be setting up a unique platform for exchange of Data Audit business acting as a platform for bringing together professionals interested in being Data Auditors and the companies who may want to hire them either as Independent Data Auditors or even as full time DPOs or Grievance redressal officers. Suitable infrastructure is being set up for the purpose.

Naavi

The virtual townhall meeting to introduce the concept of Association of Independent Data Auditors was held on 27th April 2026.

Here is a link to the recording of the proceedings.

An AI summary of the above event is available here.

Text Summary

Audio podcast

Video Summary 

Let Us Understand the Mission of AIDAI

As most of you are aware, I was working in the area of Cyber Law since 1998 with Naavi.org and later from 2000 on Cyber Law College and related activities in Cyber Law. Since 2005 I have been engaged in Privacy with HIPAA related activities.

I was earlier associated with the formation of Cyber Society of India (CySi) in Chennai which is flourishing even today. I also tried to develop Digital Society Foundation of India (DSFI) and Indian Institute of Information Technology  Law (IIITL) along with others which however did not take off after the first few years of activity.

In 2018, I along with other  interested persons,  started the new organization FDPPI (Foundation of Data Protection Professionals in India) as an organization of Data Protection Professionals as  a Section 8 company limited by guarantees.

FDPPI started as a venture  to support the industry and the professionals in GDPR compliance and later has been working on the Indian initiatives on Data Protection. Way back in 2019 we started the early certification program which was modified as and when law transformed from PDPB 2018, to PDPB 2019, to DPA 2021 and now DPDPA 2023. Currently we run the C.DPO.DA. (Certified DPO and Data Auditor) as our flagship certification program.

During the last few years, we have also developed the separate framework for Compliance namely DGPSI (Data Governance and Protection Standard of India) for DPDPA Compliance. The family of DGPSI has expanded with different sub frameworks  one for SMEs (DGPSI-Lite) and  For use of AI by Data Fiduciaries (DGPSI-AI).

We have also developed a version of the framework called DGPSI-HR for HR systems which are important for every company in India. Additionally we are promoting DGPSI-DP as a voluntary framework to be adopted by Data Processors. As an additional measure, on an experimental basis, we have  also developed a framework called DGPSI-GDPR which can be used for GDPR compliance.

With these developments FDPPI has become a Standards organization with multiple standards for compliance of DPDPA, AI and  GDPR.

This is good enough to be called a fulfilment  of a life time ambition enough for me to retire with satisfaction.

But, I am reminded of the words “Miles to go before I sleep…”. The action therefore  continues….with AIDAI for some more time until this  new organization stands up on its own legs.

The “Association of Independent Data Auditors of India” or AIDAI (www.aidai.org.in) launched on 11th April 2026 is  another  ambitious project that we have undertaken.  This child of FDPPI can be bigger than FDPPI because it will be led by a new set of enthusiastic individuals.

Mr Vijayendra Shenoy with an illustrious career behind him in Information Security, is the CEO and is developing a team under him. Mr Ashok Kini, Mr R Srivatsa and Mr M G Kodandaram are assisting him as part of a Governance Committee.

The objective of AIDAI is to support and develop the new profession of “Independent Data Auditors” referred to in DPDPA 2023.

We are creating a separate Certification program called CIDA (Certified Independent Data Auditors), Creating a platform for exchange of Data Audit related services, Developing an all India network of FDPPI study Centers and other activities to promote DPDPA Compliance across the country.

We are creating a FDPPI Academy to take care of the Certification aspects and build associations in this field.

We want to develop AIDAI as a Unified platform for all Auditors who are associated in different forms of Data Audit including Chartered Accountants and Cost Accountants (we envisage a special role for Cost accountants in  Data Valuation), ISMS auditors, Privacy Auditors, Privacy Advocates etc.

We are also getting professionals accredited by other organizations including DSCI, IAPP, CDRF, DPO Club etc under a concept of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (Though we are not sure how others will respond).

These developments have happened between 2018 and 2026 and FDPPI/AIDAI are now in the cusp of a major breakthrough. At this time we want the good wishes of veterans like you.

We are presently in the task of putting together an “Advisory Group” consisting of experts from different segments of the community to guide the AIDAI Team.

Some of the industry professionals have already given their consent to be on  board. Some consents are in the pipeline. We hope we will have a working Advisory Group constituted shortly.

Despite  the lofty ideals, AIDAI will continue to be a boot strapped Start up trying to establish itself.

However, given the commitment of individuals to “Create” and “Organization of the Century” we hold the optimism that support will come from like minded persons.

I invite suggestions and support from industry veterans.

Yours sincerely

Naavi

The Association of Independent Data Auditors of India (AIDAI) was launched in Bengaluru on 11th April 2026 at WoodRose Club, JP Nagar, Bengaluru, 2026.

Though the live broadcast on the YouTube could not be organized as planned, the rest of the program went on successfully.

During the event, Mr Nagendra Javagal welcomed the audience. Mr Ramesh  Venkataraman presented the activities of FDPPI. Naavi introduced the Concept of AIDAI. Mr Vijayendra Shenoy, the CEO of AIDAI shared his plan for the coming years. Mr R Srivatsa proposed the Vote of Thanks

Representatives from different Audit Communities such as Mr Sudarshan Mandyam, Mr B. Jayachandran, Mr Madhava Murthy, as well as Mr Manish as representative of BSPIN and Dr Prashant Koranne as representative of the Data Audit Community from Mumbai were present during the occasion.

A Copy of the Book, Wisdom Companion for Champions of DPDPA Compliance was formally unveiled during the occasion.  Some of the guests spoke during the occasion and shared their views.

During the event empanelment process was also  launched.

AIDAI has started with the ambition of unifying the Auditors scattered across multiple accreditation agencies organizations onto a single platform.  This concept is not natural to the Indian Psyche but an attempt is being made by FDPPI and AIDAI to achieve what is not easy to achieve. I hope this time it is different.

Naavi

A Summary of Naavi’s speech can be found here.

A Report which appeared in Deccan Herald today is as follows.

AIDAI is being formally launched on 11th April 2026 at Bangalore as per details available above.

Attendance is by invitation only.

Following the launch AIDAI will start empanelling the Internal Auditors in multiple categories.

Foundation of Data Protection Professionals in India is pleased to invite all to this new world of Independent Data Auditors. A Congregation of all Auditors who aspire to be “Independent Data Auditors” as per Section 10 of Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (DPDPA) .

This is a platform for Elevating the Audit professionals of different kinds to the “Independent Data Auditor Status”.

Engage with like minded professionals to explore the wonderland of DPDPA.

Empanel to be part of this Community which is expected to grow exponentially in the next three years.