💡 Still using the classic Drata experience? Refer to Delete or remove a policy version in Draft for the original UI.
You can only delete a policy when it is in Draft status. Deleting a draft removes the unapproved version and reverts the policy to its previous version, if one exists.
Policies in Needs approval, Approved, or Published status can’t be deleted. To remove an active policy, archive it instead.
Prerequisites
Only policies in Draft status can be deleted.
Policies in Needs approval, Approved, or Published status can’t be deleted.
What happens when you delete a draft version
When you delete a draft policy version:
The current unapproved version is permanently deleted
The policy reverts to the previous version, if one exists
If no previous version exists, the policy is removed from the policies list
This action can’t be undone.
Delete a draft policy version
Open Governance → Policies.
Locate the policy in Draft status.
Select the ellipsis (⋯) next to the policy and choose Delete draft.
Review the confirmation prompt.
Select Delete to confirm.
When a policy can be deleted
The ability to delete a policy depends on the policy type, status, and version.
Policy type | Status | Version | Result |
Drata template policy | Draft | Version 0 (initial, unpublished) | Can’t be deleted |
Drata template policy | Draft | Version 1 or later | Draft can be deleted; reverts to the previous version |
Custom policy | Draft | Version 0 (initial, unpublished) | Can be deleted; policy is removed entirely |
Custom policy | Draft | Version 1 or later | Can be deleted; reverts to the previous version |
Any policy | Needs approval | Any | Can’t be deleted; cancel the approval cycle first |
Any policy | Not Draft | Any | Can’t be deleted; archive the policy instead |
Synced external policy (Confluence or Notion) | N/A | Any | Can’t be deleted in Drata; manage it in the external system and sync changes |