UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Does the Data Act dilute the Right to Information Act?

Q1. As per the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 notified in November 2025, how many members (including the Chairperson) constitute the Data Protection Board of India?

  • A. Three
  • B. Four
  • C. Five
  • D. Seven

Q2. With reference to the amendment to the Right to Information Act, 2005 brought about by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, consider the following statements: 1. The amendment was effected through Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act, 2023. 2. The amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act now provides a blanket exemption for personal information without a public-interest balancing test. 3. Section 8(2) of the RTI Act, which permits disclosure where public interest outweighs harm, has been repealed by the same amendment. 4. The Supreme Court has referred challenges to this amendment to a Constitution Bench. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The amendment was effected through Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act, 2023.
  2. The amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act now provides a blanket exemption for personal information without a public-interest balancing test.
  3. Section 8(2) of the RTI Act, which permits disclosure where public interest outweighs harm, has been repealed by the same amendment.
  4. The Supreme Court has referred challenges to this amendment to a Constitution Bench.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the term 'Data Principal' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The entity that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data
  • B. The individual to whom the personal data relates
  • C. Any person engaged by a data fiduciary to process personal data on its behalf
  • D. The statutory authority empowered to adjudicate breaches of personal data

Q4. Which of the following is the nodal Union ministry responsible for administering the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and notifying the DPDP Rules, 2025?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • D. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting