Its our.in | India's Pride
If you are exploring domain names for your business, investment, or brand expansion, you may have asked this common question.
Are .in domains restricted to Indians only?
The short and clear answer is No.
.in domains are open to everyone worldwide.
In this article, we will explain the facts, clear common myths, and show why .in domains are increasingly popular among global companies and investors.
What Is a .IN Domain?
The .in extension is the official country code top level domain of India. It represents India’s digital identity and is widely used by startups, enterprises, ecommerce platforms, content creators, and global corporations targeting the Indian market.
The .in namespace is managed by National Internet Exchange of India, commonly known as NIXI.
Who Can Register a .IN Domain?
Anyone in the world can register a .in domain.
There is no requirement to be:
• An Indian citizen
• A resident of India
• An Indian registered company
Per example Individuals and businesses from the United Kingdom, United States, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Africa legally own and operate .in domains every day.
You can register .in domains through international registrars such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Dynadot, and many others.
Why This Confusion Exists
The misunderstanding usually comes from confusion between:
• Country based domain names
• Restricted government or education domains
While some country domains impose local presence rules, .in does not.
Only a few special namespaces have eligibility checks, such as:
• gov.in
• edu.in
• ac.in
These are reserved for government and educational institutions. Standard .in domains have no restrictions at all.
Most importantly some registrars like reseller club or india based registrars are not offering their services to foreginers due to registrys strict KYC requirements. Where as global registrars are like GoDaddy, Dynadot , Name.com , Spaceship.com still continue to support the registrartion, transfer and renewal services for .IN domain names.
NIXI has clearly clarified in their social media posts, .IN is open for all registrants around the world at the same time they expect the KYC completion by those registrants.
NIXI want to make sure they need to know who is actually owning the domains to avoid misuse of .IN domain names. In a way they are putting strong efforts to keep the .IN ecosystem clean and making the user responsible about their usage.
Why Non Indian Businesses Use .IN Domains
Many global companies deliberately choose .in because it offers strong strategic advantages.
Strong Local Trust
Indian consumers trust websites with local relevance. A .in domain instantly signals commitment to the Indian market.
Limited .COM Availability
Many premium .com names are already taken or priced extremely high. The matching .in often offers a powerful alternative.
Growing Indian Digital Economy
India is one of the fastest growing internet and ecommerce markets in the world. Brands entering India almost always want their .in identity sooner or later.
Brand Protection
Owning the .in version protects your brand from competitors or misuse in the Indian market.
Are .IN Domains Legal for Resale and Investment?
Yes.
.in domains can be legally:
• Bought and sold
• Held as investments
• Used for aftermarket transactions
• Acquired by brokers and investors globally
There are no ownership transfer restrictions for international buyers or sellers.
This has led to a growing aftermarket for premium .in domain names, including dictionary words, short names, and brandable assets.
Why .IN Domains Are Gaining Value
Several long term trends are driving the rise of .in domain value.
• India has over 800 million internet users
• Local domains perform well for India focused SEO
• More startups are choosing India first growth strategies
• Global companies are localizing faster than before
As a result, premium .in domains are increasingly viewed as strategic digital real estate, not just regional addresses.
Final Verdict
.in domains are not restricted to Indians.
They are:
• Open to global registration
• Legally usable worldwide
• Valuable for branding and investment
• Increasingly adopted by international companies
If your business serves India, plans to expand into India, or wants to protect its brand, owning the right .in domain is not optional anymore. It is strategic.
Where can I buy the domain names already registered ?
DaaZ.com is the after market force for .IN domain names, if you are looking to buy .in names which are already registered, better to search to find the .in inventory at DaaZ.
About DaaZ
DaaZ is a global domain marketplace offering access to millions of premium domain names, including one of the largest collections of high quality .in domains available online.
If you are looking to acquire, sell, or invest in premium .in domains, DaaZ provides secure transactions, expert support, and global buyer access.
Secure the name that represents your future.
