The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has instructed all banks to migrate from their current internet domains to the exclusive ".bank.in" domain to enhance security in the online banking sector. The central bank issued a circular mandating that the switching process must be completed by October 31, 2025.
The RBI's move aims to improve cybersecurity in the financial industry by giving institutions a distinct and trusted online identity, making it easier for clients to discern between legitimate and fraudulent banking websites.
It is designed to prevent phishing and spoofing attacks caused by fake banking domains, ensuring a safer digital banking experience for users. This measure is likely to increase the overall safety and reliability of online banking services.
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To put the initiative into action, the RBI designated the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) as the domain's only registrant. The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), which is under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has designated the IDRBT.
“Banks may contact IDRBT at sahyog@idrbt.ac.in to initiate the registration process,” the RBI said. Banks will receive assistance from the IDRBT with each aspect of the application procedure and domain migration.
A separate "fin.in" domain for non-bank financial businesses will also be introduced by the RBI. This is aimed at providing a secure and trusted online presence for various financial institutions.
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RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra provided this information following the completion of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting about the implementation of the ‘.bank.in’ exclusive internet domain for Indian banks, with registration was expected to began in April 2025 to help combat banking fraud.
As cyber threats continue to develop, shifting to the new domain is an important step toward strengthening India's digital banking infrastructure and increasing customer trust in online banking services.
