Justice Dipankar Datta was born on February 9, 1965, in Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Justice (Retd.) Salil Kumar Datta and Mira Datta.

He completed his legal education at Hazra Law College, University of Calcutta, graduating in 1989, and enrolled the same year as an advocate with the Bar Council of West Bengal.

For nearly sixteen years, Justice Datta practiced extensively before the Calcutta High Court, other High Courts, various tribunals, and the Supreme Court of India. He represented a diverse range of clients, including the State of West Bengal, the Union of India, and multiple statutory authorities. Alongside his legal practice, he also served as a guest lecturer in Constitutional Law at the University College of Law, University of Calcutta, during the academic years 1996–97 and 1999–2000.

He was appointed as a permanent Judge of the Calcutta High Court on June 22, 2006. On April 28, 2020, he assumed office as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, where he served for over two and a half years.

Justice Datta was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on December 12, 2022, and is scheduled to demit office on February 8, 2030.