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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.