Supreme Court Issues Notice on Media Challenge to DPDP Act and Rules; Next Hearing on 17 November 2026
The Digital News Publishers Association and journalists have challenged provisions of the DPDP Act and Rules before the Supreme Court, citing the lack of a journalistic exemption. The Court has issued notice to the Centre, and no stay has been granted.
The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), representing the digital arms of more than 20 major media houses, along with independent journalists, has approached the Supreme Court under Article 32 challenging key provisions of the DPDP Act, 2023 and the DPDP Rules, 2025.
What the petitioners argue
- The Act has no explicit journalistic exemption, so newsrooms may need consent from the people they report on.
- Erasure and withdrawal-of-consent rights could affect news archives and investigative reporting.
- They also challenge the amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act made through the DPDP framework.
Where the case stands
- The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Union Government.
- Reports indicate that no interim stay has been granted, and the matter is listed for further hearing on 17 November 2026.
- IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has publicly defended the law, saying it does not curb press freedom, and has invited dialogue with media stakeholders.
What this means for organisations
The DPDP Act and Rules remain in force. The phased timeline is unchanged: Consent Manager provisions from 13 November 2026 and substantive obligations from 13 May 2027. Continue compliance work, and track the hearing for any exemption or interim directions.