DPDP Data Inventory & Mapping
Create a clear view of what personal data your organisation collects, where it is stored, why it is processed, who can access it, which vendors receive it and how it moves across your business.
See the complete personal data journey at a glance
This visual connects the main parts of a data inventory with the way personal data moves through an organisation.
From collection to governance
One view for privacy, legal, IT, security, product and audit teams.
One visual shows where personal data comes from, where it goes and what controls it
You can understand the core data flow before reading the detailed compliance fields.
From people and systems to vendors and governance
The inventory connects collection points, business systems, storage, sharing and lifecycle decisions into one operational view.
Know what personal data you have before you can govern it
A personal data inventory is a structured record of the personal data an organisation processes and the business context around it.
What data?
Identify personal-data categories such as identity, contact, account, employee, customer and other business-relevant data.
Where is it?
Locate applications, databases, SaaS tools, file stores and other repositories where personal data is held.
Why is it processed?
Connect each processing activity with its business purpose, process owner and operational context.
Data inventory and data mapping are connected, but they are not the same
Personal Data Inventory
- What personal data is collected or processed?
- Which business process uses it?
- Where is the data stored?
- Who owns or accesses it?
- How long is it retained?
Data Flow Mapping
- Where does the data enter the organisation?
- Which systems receive or send it?
- Which teams or vendors access it?
- Where is it shared or transferred?
- What happens when it is retained or deleted?
One data record, viewed from every important angle
Instead of reading a long checklist, think of the inventory as one connected record.
Data
Where & how
Lifecycle
One map connects privacy work across the organisation
The value is not another document. It is a common view that teams can use to find, control and evidence personal-data processing.
DATA
MAP
From discovery to an organised compliance map
A working data map, not just a spreadsheet
DPDP structures the information so privacy, legal, IT, security, product and audit teams can work from a common view of personal-data processing.
What the map can quickly reveal
Make hidden data flows, ownership issues and lifecycle gaps easier to identify.
DPDP Data Inventory & Mapping FAQs
What is a DPDP data inventory?
It is a structured record of the personal data an organisation processes, including relevant data categories, sources, purposes, systems, owners, sharing relationships and lifecycle information.
What is DPDP data mapping?
Data mapping shows how personal data moves through an organisation, from collection and use to storage, sharing, retention and deletion.
Is a data inventory explicitly required by the DPDP?
The DPDP does not name “data inventory” or “data map” as a standalone universal filing. These are practical governance and evidence tools used to support privacy operations and compliance processes.
What should a personal data map include?
It can include data categories, sources, processing purposes, systems, storage locations, owners, access, vendors, sharing, retention, security controls and supporting evidence.
Why is data mapping important for DPDP compliance?
A current map helps organisations understand where personal data is processed and supports activities such as privacy governance, Data Principal request handling, retention management, vendor oversight and compliance reviews.
How often should a DPDP data inventory be updated?
It should be updated when new systems, products, vendors or processing activities are introduced and reviewed periodically so the documented view remains aligned with actual operations.