Circular - Migration to '.bank.in' domain

## Report on Reserve Bank of India Circular on Migration to '.bank.in' Domain **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) circular CO.DIT.DCD.No.S810171110202526, dated April 22, 2025, concerning the migration of banks to the '.bank.in' domain. This is a new policy initiative aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and enhancing public trust in digital banking and payment systems by introducing an exclusive internet domain for banks. The key finding is that all commercial banks, primary urban cooperative banks, state cooperative banks, and district central cooperative banks are mandated to migrate their existing domains to the '.bank.in' domain by October 31, 2025. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the RBI circular CO.DIT.DCD.No.S810171110202526, focusing on its purpose, provisions, and implications for the banking sector, based solely on the information provided in the document. **3. Policy Overview:** * This is a new policy initiative. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objectives, as stated in the provided text, are to strengthen the cybersecurity framework and enhance public confidence in digital banking and payment systems. **4. Background and Rationale:** As a new policy, this initiative addresses the increasing instances of fraud in digital payments. The introduction of the '.bank.in' domain is likely intended to create a more secure and trusted online environment for banking activities, mitigating the risk of phishing and other cyber threats targeting the financial sector. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** As a new policy initiative, the following are the key provisions based on the text: * **Mandated Migration:** All commercial banks, primary urban cooperative banks, state cooperative banks, and district central cooperative banks are required to migrate their existing domains to the '.bank.in' domain. * **Registration Process:** The Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) is authorized by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) to serve as the exclusive registrar for the '.bank.in' domain. * **Contacting IDRBT:** Banks are advised to contact IDRBT at sahyogidrbt.ac.in to initiate the registration process. * **IDRBT Guidance:** IDRBT will provide guidance to banks on the application process and migration to the new domain. * **Deadline:** All banks must complete the migration process by October 31, 2025. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The direct target audience and stakeholders for this policy are: * All Commercial Banks * All Primary Urban Cooperative Banks * All State Cooperative Banks * All District Central Cooperative Banks * Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) * National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) * Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) * RBI **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** * RBI: Responsible for issuing the circular and overseeing the implementation. * IDRBT: Responsible for registering banks under the '.bank.in' domain and providing guidance on the migration process. * NIXI: Authorized IDRBT as the exclusive registrar. * MeitY: Oversees NIXI. * **Timelines:** * Migration must be completed by October 31, 2025. * **Procedures:** * Banks need to contact IDRBT at sahyogidrbt.ac.in to begin the registration process. IDRBT will guide them through the application and migration procedures. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this policy are: * **Enhanced Cybersecurity:** The '.bank.in' domain should reduce the risk of fraudulent websites impersonating legitimate banks, making it harder for cybercriminals to deceive customers. * **Increased Public Trust:** A dedicated domain will signal authenticity to customers, increasing their confidence in online banking transactions and payment systems. * **Reduced Digital Payment Fraud:** The initiative is expected to contribute to a decrease in the number of successful fraudulent digital payment attempts. **9. Conclusion:** The RBI circular mandating the migration of banks to the '.bank.in' domain represents a significant step towards enhancing cybersecurity and fostering trust in the digital banking landscape. The policy's success hinges on the timely and effective implementation by all affected banks and the guidance provided by IDRBT. The establishment of a dedicated domain is expected to play a crucial role in combating digital payment fraud and ensuring a safer online banking environment for customers.

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