Centre for Applied Data Protection
The Centre for Applied Data Protection (CADP) is dedicated to building India's data protection capability through research, education, and practical advisory services.
Our Vision
To be India's leading centre of excellence in data protection education and research, empowering organisations and individuals to navigate the evolving privacy landscape with confidence.
Our Mission
To bridge the gap between data protection law and practice by providing high-quality training, legal advisory, and research that helps organisations comply with the DPDP Act and protect personal data effectively.
Two Complementary Verticals
CADP operates through research and practice, bridging academic scholarship with real-world application.
Research
Advancing the understanding of data protection through rigorous academic research, publications, and thought leadership.
- ▪Peer-reviewed publications
- ▪Policy analysis and recommendations
- ▪Comparative legal studies
- ▪Industry-specific research
Practice
Providing hands-on training and legal advisory to help organisations achieve and maintain DPDP compliance.
- ▪Compliance training programs
- ▪Gap assessment and advisory
- ▪Policy development support
- ▪Implementation guidance
The Team
Legal scholars and practitioners committed to advancing data protection in India.
Dr. Sharmila H.S.
Senior Faculty Fellow
Sharmila H.S. is an Assistant Professor of Law at KLE Technological University, specializing in constitutional interpretation and judicial decision-making within the Indian legal system. Her academic focus on gender studies and litigation dynamics provides a critical foundation for analyzing individual rights and consent frameworks under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) 2023.
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Deepa H
Faculty Fellow
Deepa H. leverages a B.E. in Information Science and 12 years of software engineering experience to provide the technical foundation necessary for navigating India’s DPDP Act. As an Assistant Professor at KLE Society’s Law College, she bridges the gap between digital data lifecycles and the legal obligations of Data Fiduciaries. Her expertise in Human Resources further enables her to specialize in workplace privacy and the management of employee data under the new Data Protection regime.
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Ashwary Sharma
Project Lead
Ashwary brings a unique blend of legal expertise and technical implementation to data protection. With a post-graduate degree in Law and 4.5 years as a law professor, combined with hands-on experience building compliant B2B SaaS systems, he bridges the gap between regulatory requirements and practical technology solutions.
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Sahana Karkal
Faculty Fellow
Sahana A. Karkal is an Assistant Professor of Law at KLE Society's Law College who specializes in the intersection of Constitutional Law and emerging digital frameworks. A Gold Medalist in her LL.M., she contributes to modern legal discourse on Digital and Exponential Technologies (C-DEXT 2026), focusing on how evolving statutory protections align with privacy and data security.
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Shambhunath Yadiyapur
Coordinator (Research & Training)
Shambhunath specializes in the intersection of legal theory and emerging technologies. He has authored notable research on data sovereignty, such as “Colonised by Code: The Return of Empire in the Age of Data,” which critically examines data capitalism and digital autonomy. His professional experience includes delivering specialized lectures on Cyber Laws at KLE Technological University and mentoring students in policy drafting and moot court competitions focused on evolving legal frameworks. Additionally, he brings practical insights from his time as a legal associate in Mumbai, where he handled complex litigation drafting and contractual matters relevant to privacy and compliance.
LinkedInAdvisory Board
Distinguished experts guiding our mission and research agenda.
Dr. J.M. Mallikarjunaiah
Chief Advisor
Dr. J. M. Mallikarjunaiah is a seasoned legal academic and administrator who has spent over a decade shaping legal discourse on privacy and digital governance as the Principal of KLE Society's Law College, Bengaluru. A pioneer in the field, he edited the influential Anthology on "Law and Privacy" and has been a vocal advocate for robust data protection frameworks, notably co-organizing national seminars on privacy rights in cyberspace to address the challenges of cross-border data transfers.
Dr. Manojkumar V. Hiremath
Advisor
Dr. Manojkumar V. Hiremath is an Assistant Professor of Law and the IQAC Coordinator at KLE Society's Law College, Bengaluru and KLE Technological University. With over 12 years of teaching experience, he specializes in Constitutional Law and Business and Trade Law, having earned his Ph.D. in 2018. His academic background in constitutional frameworks and business regulations makes him highly relevant to the field of data protection, as he possesses the foundational expertise needed to navigate the complex intersection of fundamental privacy rights and corporate compliance.
Part of KLE Law College, Bengaluru
CADP is a centre of excellence at KLE Law College, Bengaluru, part of the prestigious KLE Society with over 100 years of excellence in education. This affiliation provides us with academic rigour, institutional support, and access to a rich network of legal scholars and practitioners.
Visit KLE Law CollegeEngage with CADP
Whether for professional training, advisory engagement, or research collaboration, the Centre welcomes inquiries from institutions and organisations.