The INregistry is the driving force of India’s online presence, overseeing the .IN domains that enable people and businesses to claim a digital space.
It is India’s official guardian of the .IN country-code top-level domain (ccTLD), appointed by the government to keep things running smoothly.
It is operated under the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), a not-for-profit setup since 2003, and it’s all about making the internet more accessible and secure for everyone in the country.
Think of it as the backstage crew ensuring your favorite websites load fast, stay safe, and feel authentically Indian.
This read goes through everything you need to know about INregistry and how it can be of help to you.
We’ll cover:
- The INregistry’s core functions and relevance.
- The captivating story of its development and progress over the years.
- The other side of the business, which includes domains on offer and internationalized available options.
- Tangible value, for instance, Amazon.in and Airtel.in.
- Step-by-step registration via trusted partners like Truehost.
Let’s journey through the world of INregistry together.
Why is INRegistry Important?
Online trust matters big time, especially today, and INregistry has those policies that safeguard domains and protect against online scams.
This protection is not only for large companies since anyone in the world can register for .IN domains.
With no strict local requirements, it is perfect for global businesses too who are eyeing India’s large market.
For people in India, it means domains that boost local SEO, helping your site rank higher in searches from Delhi to Chennai.
NIXI, the parent body, was born to route internet traffic locally, cutting down on latency and costs—basically, making your Netflix binge or Zoom call smoother.
The INregistry builds on that by handling domain allocations, WHOIS data (that’s the public info on who owns a domain), and even dispute resolutions.
It’s government-backed through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), so you know it’s solid.
History and Evolution of IN Registry
The story of the INregistry kicks off in the early 2000s, when India decided to level up its digital game.
Back in 2004, the government revamped the .IN TLD management, shifting it from the National Centre for Software Technology (NCST) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to a fresh setup under NIXI.
This was formalized through an executive order and gazette notification from the Department of Information Technology, giving the inregistry its legal backbone.
NIXI itself was registered in 2003 as a not-for-profit under the Indian Companies Act, with a mission to boost internet services nationwide.
The shift aimed at stability, security, and growth—key in a time when India’s internet users were exploding.
Policies liberalized in 2005, opening .IN domains to anyone, not just select groups, which sparked a registration boom.
Fast forward to today: The INregistry has grown into one of the fastest-growing domains in the Asia Pacific, with millions of registrations.
Milestones include introducing Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) in 2014, supporting 22 Indian languages to make the web more inclusive.
This process has seen its share of challenges, like cyber threats, which have been met with robust security updates.
As of 2025, it’s still evolving with integrations like NIC’s Single Sign-On for gov.in domains.
How Does INRegistry Work?
Behind the scenes, the INregistry sets the rules, accredits partners through a transparent process, and ensures everything runs securely.
NIXI oversees the big picture, focusing on traffic routing and policy implementation from MeitY.
Key functions include managing the DNS (Domain Name System) for .IN, which translates domain names into IP addresses so your site loads instantly.
It also handles the WHOIS database for transparency and the IN Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (INDRP) for settling conflicts fairly.
Accredited registrars like Truehost are the ones that handle registrations.
Special roles go to entities like the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for .gov.in, ERNET for .ac.in and .res.in, and the Ministry of Defence for .mil.in.
For everyday users, this means seamless operations—registrars like Truehost make it easy to interact with the INregistry without you noticing the complexity.
Available .IN Domains and Their Uses
The INregistry offers a variety of zones to fit different needs, all open worldwide with no restrictions.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- .in: General use, ideal for anyone—businesses, individuals, or organizations in India.
- .co.in: Great for companies, originally for banks and trademarks.
- .firm.in: Suited for shops, partnerships, or sole proprietors.
- .net.in: For internet providers or tech services.
- .org.in: Nonprofits and organizations.
- .gen.in and .ind.in: Miscellaneous or individual use.
Reserved ones like .ac.in (academics), .edu.in (education), .res.in (research), .gov.in (government), and .mil.in (military) require qualifications.
New additions in 2025 include .school.in and .alumni.in from ERNET.
Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs)
The INregistry is embracing India’s diversity with IDNs in 22 languages, launched back in 2014.
These let you register domains like .भारत (bharat), कंपनी.भारत (company.bharat), or विद्या.भारत (vidya.bharat), making the web accessible in Hindi, Tamil, and more.
For a regional business, this means connecting deeper with local audiences—imagine a Kerala shop using a Malayalam domain to stand out.
ERNET handles some IDNs like शिक्षा.भारत for education.
Truehost supports these, helping you go beyond standard domains.
Benefits of Registering with INRegistry
Choosing a .IN domain via the INregistry is both practical and a smart move for growth.
It screams “India-focused,” boosting local SEO and trust.
Customers feel safer clicking airtel.in or amazon.in, knowing it’s tailored for them.
Availability is huge—fewer squatters than .com, and prices are set by registrars, often affordable.
Security? Government oversight means DNSSEC protection against hacks.
Take Amazon.in—it’s become synonymous with e-commerce in India, drawing billions in traffic.
Or Airtel.in, where millions manage plans seamlessly.
With Truehost, you get these benefits bundled—a free domain with hosting from ₹135/mo, unlimited bandwidth, and SEO tools to rank high on Google India.
How to Register a Domain with INRegistry via Truehost
Registering is straightforward with an accredited registrar like Truehost.
Start by visiting Truehost and using their domain checker to search for availability.
Steps:
- Enter your desired name (e.g., mybusiness.in).
- Check options and add-ons like hosting.
- Provide details—no local address needed.
- Pay securely—Truehost offers INR pricing, starting low with bundles.
- Activate and launch.
Truehost shines with 24/7 support via chat or WhatsApp, free SSL, and migrations.
Promotions include free domains with plans like WebHosting Starter at ₹135/mo.
Common Challenges and Solutions
No system is perfect, and the INregistry has its hurdles.
Domain squatting—someone grabbing your ideal name—or disputes can arise.
Solution? Use INDRP for resolutions, and check availability early.
Renewal lapses lead to loss; set reminders or auto-renew with Truehost.
Security worries? Leverage their free backups and SSL.
For IDNs, browser compatibility can be tricky, but modern ones handle it fine.
Stay proactive, and these become minor bumps.
FAQs
What is the INregistry’s main role? It manages .IN domains under NIXI, ensuring security and accessibility.
Who can register .IN domains? Anyone worldwide—no local ties needed.
How do IDNs work? They support local languages, like .bharat for broader reach.
Why choose Truehost? Affordable bundles, 24/7 support, and easy setup for Indians.
How long does registration take? Minutes with Truehost.
Is .IN better than .com? For local focus, yes—better SEO and trust.
Any current deals? Check ERNET for education domains, but for general, Truehost has hosting-inclusive offers.
Conclusion
The INregistry has transformed India’s online landscape, from its 2004 revamp to today’s inclusive, secure system.
A .IN domain is your ticket to standing out.
It’s not just tech—it’s about connecting, growing, and thriving in a digital India.
But knowledge alone won’t launch your site.
Take the next step to find and register your domain—your online adventure starts today.