## Report on Guidelines for Allocation of Registration under GOV.IN Domain
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes guidelines (F. No.L13142014IGD, dated 06042015) from the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) regarding the allocation of domain names under the .GOV.IN domain. This policy aims to clarify eligibility criteria for .GOV.IN domain registration due to perceived shortcomings in the previous internal guidelines used by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). The key findings are the specific eligibility requirements, a new committee for residual cases and rejections, and certain restrictions on individual names and some institutions. The changes emphasize providing legitimacy and clear rules for who can represent themselves as a Government organization online through this domain.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview and analysis of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology's (DeitY) guidelines concerning the allocation of registrations under the .GOV.IN domain. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text (F. No.L13142014IGD, dated 06042015).
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Amendment:** This document serves as an *amendment* to the original policy established in October 2004, further clarified by Office Order No. 7304CCBT dated November 2004.
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the provided text, the core objective is to clearly define and standardize the eligibility criteria for organizations seeking registration under the .GOV.IN domain. This aim is driven by the need to enhance the legitimacy of the .GOV.IN domain as representative of official Government organizations.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The amendment responds to shortcomings and concerns regarding the issuance of .GOV.IN domain names based on internal guidelines previously used by the NIC. Given that the .GOV.IN domain confers legitimacy as a Government organization, there was a perceived need to explicitly specify the types of organizations eligible for this domain. The amendment provides structured, documented guidelines to achieve this objective.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
The core of this document is defining eligibility criteria. Specific changes introduced by the amendment include:
* **Original Policy Part Changed (Inferred):** The document amends and replaces the internal guidelines previously used by NIC.
* **New Rule/Provision:** Section 3.1 outlines the eligible entities, including:
* Apex Offices (President, Prime Minister)
* Ministries/Departments of Government of India and States (including attached offices, directorates, and statutory bodies)
* Local Self Governments (as defined in Part IX of the Constitution of India) and their attached offices.
* Projects/Schemes/Events/Committees fully funded by Governments.
* Law enforcement agencies: Supreme Court, High Courts, Subordinate Courts.
* Legislative bodies and their attached institutions.
* Commissions/Councils created by Government order or statute.
* Autonomous Societies/Bodies of Government.
* Projects/Schemes/Events/Committees partially funded by Government.
* Section 3.2 establishes a committee to handle residual cases and rejections in the case of Autonomous Societies/Bodies of the Government of India and Governments of States which constitute Union of India (Para 3.1 SI. No. XI).
* Section 3.3 explicitly states that individual person's name based domains are ineligible.
* Section 3.4 recommends that Educational, Research and Academic Institutions apply for EDU.IN, RES.IN and AC.IN domains, if otherwise eligible for .GOV.IN
* Section 3.5 states Financial Institutions Banking Institutions Banks PSU Banks are not eligible for ".GOV.IN" Domain unless sanctioned by the Government of India in exceptional cases.
* Section 3.6 sets initial domain allocation periods of 2 years for categories VI and XI at 3.1, and 5 years for all other eligible entities. Renewal periods are 1 year and 2 years, respectively.
* **Effect of Change:** These detailed provisions bring standardization and transparency to the .GOV.IN domain allocation process. They limit the scope of the domain to strictly governmental entities, addressing concerns about potentially misleading domain names. The committee provides a route for exceptions and complex cases, while the term limits ensure more frequent review of domains granted to Projects/Schemes/Events/Committees partially and fully funded by the government, and Autonomous Societies/Bodies of the Government of India and Governments of States.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these guidelines include:
* All Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and State Governments.
* National Informatics Centre (NIC).
* National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI).
* Local Self Governments and their attached offices.
* Organizations seeking a .GOV.IN domain name.
* Projects/Schemes/Events/Committees fully and partially funded by Governments.
* Autonomous Societies/Bodies of the Government of India and Governments of States
* Legislative bodies and their attached institutions.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The National Informatics Centre (NIC) remains the authorized registrar. The committee defined in section 3.2 (Director DeitY, representative of NIC, representative of NIXI) plays a key role in reviewing residual cases.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The text does not specify detailed application procedures. However, it specifies domain name allocation and renewal periods (Section 3.6).
* **Specific to Changes:** The new committee for residual cases introduces a new procedural step for some applicants. NIC will need to forward such applications to the committee for review.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes and impacts of these specific changes include:
* Increased legitimacy and credibility of the .GOV.IN domain.
* Greater consistency and transparency in domain name allocation.
* Reduced ambiguity regarding eligibility for the .GOV.IN domain.
* More effective management and review of domain names allocated to temporary government initiatives and partially funded bodies.
* A clearer understanding of who can legitimately represent themselves as a government entity online.
**9. Conclusion:**
The guidelines for allocation of registration under the .GOV.IN domain, detailed in document F. No.L13142014IGD, represent a significant step towards standardizing and clarifying the eligibility criteria for this domain. By explicitly defining eligible organizations and establishing a review committee, the guidelines aim to strengthen the legitimacy and credibility of the .GOV.IN domain, ensuring that it accurately represents legitimate Government entities online. This policy is significant because it governs a critical aspect of government online presence and digital identity.
Key Entities Referenced
F. No.L13142014IGD: Reference number for the policy document.
Department of Electronics and Information Technology: The department issuing the guidelines, also referred to as DeitY.
Internet Governance Division: A division within the Department of Electronics and Information Technology.
6, CGO Complex, Electronics Niketan, New Delhi 110003: Address of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology.
06042015: Date of the policy document.
Guidelines for allocation of registration under GOV.IN domain: Subject of the policy document.
Office Order vide No. 7304CCBT dated November, 2004: Reference to a previous office order.
Department: Refers to the Department of Electronics and Information Technology.
.IN: The Internet Domain Name Policy Framework.
National Informatics Centre: Authorized registrar for the .GOV.IN domain zone, referred to as NIC.
NIC: Abbreviation for National Informatics Centre.
GOV.IN: Domain zone for registering domain names under Government DepartmentsMinistriesStates and Union Territories.
Hon'ble President of India: Apex Office eligible for securing registration under .GOV.IN domain zone.
Hon'ble Prime Minister of India: Apex Office eligible for securing registration under .GOV.IN domain zone.
Ministries of the Government of India: Eligible entity for securing registration under .GOV.IN domain zone.
Governments of States: Eligible entity for securing registration under .GOV.IN domain zone.
Union of India: Reference to the country, India.
Local Self Governments: Eligible entity for securing registration under .GOV.IN domain zone, as defined in Part IX of the Constitution of India.
Constitution of India: The constitution of India.
Supreme Court of India: Law enforcement agencies eligible for securing registration under .GOV.IN domain zone, established by Part V, Chapter IV of Constitution of India.
High Courts: Law enforcement agencies eligible for securing registration under .GOV.IN domain zone, established under Article 214 of the Constitution of India.
State Governments in India: Government entities within India.
Lok Adalats: An example of judicialquasijudicial functions body, created by law, eligible for .GOV.IN
Tribunals: An example of judicialquasijudicial functions body, created by law, eligible for .GOV.IN
Director DeitY: Position within the Department of Electronics and Information Technology.
National Internet Exchange of India: Organization involved in assigning GOV.IN domain names, referred to as NIXI.
NIXI: Abbreviation for National Internet Exchange of India.
EDU.IN: Domain recommended for Educational Institutions.
RES.IN: Domain recommended for Research Institutions.
AC.IN: Domain recommended for Academic Institutions.
.IN Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy: Policy under which GOV.IN allocation will conform. Referred to as INDRP
INDRP: Abbreviation for .IN Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy.
Dr. Ajay Kumar: Joint Secretary, signatory of the document.
Cabinet Secretariat: Recipient of the policy copy.
PMO: Recipient of the policy copy, likely refers to the Prime Minister's Office.
NITI AAYOG: Recipient of the policy copy. A policy think tank of the Government of India
DG, NIC: Recipient of the policy copy, likely refers to the Director General of National Informatics Centre.
CEO, NIXI: Recipient of the policy copy, refers to the Chief Executive Officer of National Internet Exchange of India.
Website of DeitY: Location where the policy is to be published.
Ministry Communications and Information 'lechnologv Department of Information Tcchnologv: Previous name of Department of Electronics and Information Technology
20th November. 2004: Date when Government designated and appoints National Internet Exchange of India NIX 1as .IN Registry
.IN Registry: National Internet Exchange of India NIX 1as .IN Registry .1NR for. IN country code top level domain name
.1NR: Designates National Internet Exchange of India NIX 1as .IN Registry .1NR for. IN country code top level domain name
.mil.In: Reserved for Defence organizations
Ministry of Defence: An organization nominted by the:' Ministry of Defence to be the Registrar for .mil.In domain.
Panka Agrawala: Joint Secretary of Department of Information Technology. Signed the referenced order.
Centre for Development ofAdvanced Computing: Addressee of the letter.
CDAC: Abbreviation for Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Addressee of the letter.
Pune: City where Centre for Development of Advanced Computing is located
Education and ResearchNetwork: Addressee of the letter and registrar for ac.in .edu.in domains
ERNET India: Abbreviation for Education and ResearchNetwork, registrar for ac.in .edu.in domains.
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F. No.L-13/14/2014-IGD
Department of Electronics and Information Technology
Internet Governance Division
6, CGO Complex,
Electronics Niketan,
New Delhi - 110003.
Dated: 06-04-2015
Subject: Guidelines for allocation of registration under GOV.IN domain.
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Ref: Office Order vide No. 7(3)/04-CC&BT dated November, 2004
Background: Department of Electronics and Information Technology (hereby
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referred to as the "Department") on October, 2004 formulated the ".IN"
Internet Domain Name Policy Framework 'and Implementation guidelines. This
covered the following aspects:
• The adoption of New Policy Framework,
• Major Policy element,
• Institutional Framework and Implementation Mechanism.
2. An order was issued in this effect stating National Informatics Centre
(hereby referred to as the "NIC") as the authorized registrar for the domain zone
.GOV.IN for registering domain names under Government
Departments/Ministries/States and Union Territories vide No. 7(3)/04-CC&BT
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dated November, 2004 (Annexure- I). NIC has been issuing GOV.IN based on
internal guidelines, however some shortcomings and concerns have been noticed
w.r.t the issue of GOV.IN guidelines considering the fact that GOV.IN provides
legitimacy to the domain as a Government organization, it is felt that there is a need
to clearly spell out the eligibility of organisation which would be entitled to
"GOV.IN" domain.
3. Accordingly the allocation of GOV.IN by NIC would be as per the new
following guidelines.
3.1 Eligibility for securing registration under .GOV.IN domain zone would be
as follows:-
I. Apex Offices (such as Offices of the Hon'ble President of India, Hon'ble
Prime Minister of India)
11. Ministries of the Government of IndialDepartments; Attached
officeslDirectorates of such Ministries and Departments
1Ill. The Ministries of Governments of States which constitute the Union of
IndialDepartments; Attached offices/Statutory bodies / Directorates of
such Ministries and Departments.
IV. Local Self Governments as defined in under Part IX of the Constitution
of India.
V. Attached offices of the Local self Government institutions as defined
under Part IX of the Constitution of India.
VI. Projects/Schemes/Events/Committees of MinistrieslDepartments fully
funded by Govt. of India/Governments of States which constitute the
Union of India/Local Self Governments (as provided under 3.1(IV) &
3.1(V) ) Law enforcement agencies:
a) Supreme Court of India as established by Part V, Chapter IV of
Constitution of India
b) High Courts for the states established under Article 214 of the
Constitution of India.
VII. Subordinate Courts including but not limited -to all district courts
established by State Governments in India.
VIII. All other bodies created by law, by the assent of Government of India or
by the Governments of States of Union of India to perform any other
judicial/quasi-judicial functions such as Lok Adalats, Tribunals etc.
IX. All the other Legislative bodies and attached institutions of the
Government of India.
X. Commissions/Councils created by or under the Constitution of India,
statute/executive order of the Government of India or by the executive
order of the Governments of states which constitute Union of India.
XI. Autonomous Societies/Bodies of the Government of India and
Governments of States which constitute Union of India.
Projects/Schemes/Events/Committees of MinistrieslDepartments
partially funded by Government. of India/ Government of States which
constitute Union of India.
3.2 A separate committee comprising of Director (DeitY), representative ofNIC
& representative of National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) will look after the
assigning of GOV.IN domain names of the residual cases as well as in case of
rejection in the above categories mentioned in Para 3.1 SI. No. XI.
3.3 Individual Person's name based domain shall be ineligible for registration
under "GOV.IN"
23.4 Educational Institutions, Research and Academic Institutions, which
otherwise eligible for registration under ".GOV.IN" are recommended to apply for
EDU.IN, RES.IN and AC.IN domains.
3.5 Financial Institutions / Banking Institutions / Banks / PSU Banks shall not
be otherwise eligible "GOV.IN" Domain unless sanctioned by the Government of
India in exceptional cases.
3.6 Domain names will be allocated for 2 years initially for SI.Nos. VI & XI at
3.1 above and for rest it will be allocated for 5 years. Further renewal will be done
for 1 year for SI. Nos. VI & XI at 3.1 above and for remaining renewal will be
done for 2 years.
3.7 GOV.IN allocation will be under the conformity of.IN Domain Name
Dispute Resolution Policy (INDRP)
3.8 GOV.IN allocation will confirm with standard Domain naming conventions
and WHOIS safeguards.
3.9 Government may review these guidelines from time to .time to address any
emerging needs/requirements.
(Dr. Ajay Kumar)
Joint Secretary
Tel: 011-24360160
Copy to:
1. All Concerned Ministries/ Departments of Government of India.
2. All Concerned State Governments.
3. Cabinet Secretariat.
4. PMO.
5. NITI AAYOG.
6. DG, NIC.
7. CEO, NIXI
8. Intra DeitY.
9. Website of DeitY.
(Dr. Ajay Kumar)
Joint Secretary
Tel: 011-24360160
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Government of India
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Ministry Communications and Information 'lechnologv
Department of Information Tcchnologv
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6. C'.Ci O. Complex
New Delhi, dated 20th November. 2004
Sub.: .IN Internet Domain Name RegistrY. authorization reg.
Pursuant re the announcement by the Government of the policy on .I1\
internet domain registration. Department of Information Technology. Ministry of
Communications & Information Technology. Government of India hereby
designates and appoints National Internet Exchange of India (NIX 1)as .IN Registry
(.1NR) for. IN country code top level domain name.
.INR will implement the policy as per institutional framework and
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implementation mechanism contained in ".IN Internet Domain Name Policy
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Frame Work And Implementation" document dated 28.1O.2004~of the Department
of information Technology. Ministrv of Communications and Information
Technology. Government of India.", .
As a part of the new policy. the domain zone .gov.In will be exclusively
reserved for registering domain names under government Departments.'
Ministries/States and Union Territories, .ac.in &.edu.in will beexclusively reserved
for educational institutions and .mil.In will be reserved for Defence organizations.
TIle designated Registrars for the above rnenrioned zones will beas follows:
Domain Zones Registrar
1. .gov.in National lnforrnatics Centre (NIC)
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...• ac.in & .edu.in ERNET India
3. mil.in An organization nominted by the:' Ministry of Defence.
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(Panka] Agrawala)
Joint St~n:ldl)
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1. All Secretariesto theGovernment of India
2. All Chief Secretariesof Statesand Union Territories.
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