How to plan lawful MBBS admission outreach: consent, DND and minors checklist

Published 2026-09-20 · General information, not legal advice

Short answer: Lawful outreach means having a valid basis to contact each candidate, following telecom rules for calls and messages, taking extra care with candidates under 18, and honoring opt-outs immediately. This is general information, not legal advice.

Key takeaways

Know the source and permitted basis for every contact you use.
Follow the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and telecom commercial-communication rules such as DND preferences.
Candidates can be under 18: stricter requirements may apply, so get legal advice first.
Keep one shared do-not-contact list and apply it everywhere.

1. Know where each contact came from

Before any call, message or email, be able to answer: where did this contact come from, and on what basis may I use it for this purpose? If you cannot answer, do not contact the person. Ask your data supplier for the source and permitted-use basis in writing.

2. Data protection law

India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 sets rules for processing personal data, including notice and consent and duties for organizations that decide how data is used. The Act and its rules are being phased in, so check the current status and how they apply to your organization with a qualified lawyer.

3. Calls and promotional messages

Telecom regulation covers commercial calls and SMS, including do-not-disturb preferences and registered sender identities for promotional messages. Do not contact numbers on a DND list for promotional purposes unless the rules allow it, and use registered channels for bulk messaging.

4. Candidates under 18

Many NEET candidates are 17 or 18. The DPDP Act treats a child as a person under 18 and adds requirements such as verifiable parental consent for processing a child's data, and limits on tracking and targeted advertising directed at children. Treat any outreach that may reach a minor as high risk and get legal advice before you begin. Consider directing communication to parents or guardians only where you are lawfully permitted to do so.

5. Opt-outs, records and security

Keep one do-not-contact list shared by every counsellor and campaign.
Stop contacting anyone who asks, immediately, and record the request.
Limit who can access the data and delete it when you no longer need it.
Never make false claims about seats, fees, rankings, approvals or admission outcomes.

6. Respect timing and pressure

Candidates and families are under heavy pressure during counselling. Keep contact respectful and low-frequency, avoid urgency you cannot justify and never imply guaranteed admission.