The DGPSI (Data Governance and Protection Standard of India) as a framework for DPDPA Compliance adopted the Principle that Data as an asset must be recognized with monetary value which should also be rendered visible. Accordingly, one of the implementation specifications adopted by DGPSI framework (Full Version) was
“Organization shall establish an appropriate policy to recognize the financial value of data and assign a notional financial value to each data set and bring appropriate visibility to the value of personal data assets managed by the organization to the relevant stakeholders.”
The concept of the DGPSI framework was first born as PDPSI or Personal Data Protection Standard of India in 2019. It was supported by the “Naavi’s Theory of Data” which recognize a “Value” for Data which could vary during the lifecycle of the data processing and different owners could be recognized for different value parts of the data. It also recognized that Data value is linked to the capability of the user since “Data is in the beholder’s eyes”. By 2021, a model for Data Valuation evolved for professional discussion.
The industry however was not ready to take cognizance of the Data Valuation as a Governance principle and the DGPSI provision remained only a suggestion.
The year 2025 has been a momentous year in India with the notification of DPDPA 2023 setting a time line for its implementation. Now the industry has taken DPDPA 2023 seriously and is trying to work towards compliance. The DGPSI framework has been a leading Governance tool of compliance which can be used for implementation as well as audit and assessment.
In the meantime, it is the PSUs which seem to have taken the first step in documenting the value of the Data Assets thanks to the initiative taken by the CAG. CAG has realized that there is no point in merely raising a slogan that “Data is the New Oil” and there is a necessity to recognize the financial value of data and make it visible in the accounting system.
We fully endorse this view. and in the year 2026 have taken a New Year Resolution that we shall work towards a movement to popularize the concept of Data Valuation and help the industry to arrive at a reasonably acceptable methodology for making this possible.
“Measure Your Data, Treasure Your Data” will be the motto that will drive this movement and add a new life to the DGPSI framework.
Join hands with Naavi and FDPPI to make this movement a grand success.
One of the first activities under this would be Round Table in Bangalore… watch out for the date…and participate.
Naavi
