RBI Directs Banks to Transition to New ‘.bank.in’ Domain by 2025

Recent reports indicate that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated that all banks in the country transition their web domains to the new ‘.bank.in’ suffix. This initiative aims to bolster online security and enhance consumer trust in banking services. The announcement has generated considerable attention on social media, prompting the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check team to verify the claim.

The PIB Fact Check team confirmed the authenticity of this directive, stating that banks must complete the migration to the ‘.bank.in’ domain by October 31, 2025. The RBI communicated this requirement through a circular issued on April 22, 2025.

Details of the RBI Directive

According to the RBI’s circular, the ‘.bank.in’ domain will be operationalized through the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT). This institution has been designated as the exclusive registrar for the new domain by the Indian National Internet Exchange (NIXI), which operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The circular elaborated, “Banks may contact IDRBT at [email protected] to initiate the registration process. IDRBT shall guide the banks on various aspects related to the application process and migration to the new domain.”

The introduction of the ‘.bank.in’ domain represents a significant step in combating digital payment fraud. This secure and exclusive internet domain is specifically designed for Indian banks, aiming to foster greater trust among customers regarding online banking transactions.

Impact on Major Indian Banks

Prominent banks are already updating their websites to reflect the new domain. Below are examples of some of the major institutions that have transitioned:

– ICICI Bank: https://www.icici.bank.in/
– HDFC Bank: https://www.hdfc.bank.in/
– Axis Bank: https://www.axis.bank.in/
– Kotak Mahindra Bank: https://www.kotak.bank.in/en/home.html
– Punjab National Bank: https://pnb.bank.in/
– State Bank of India: https://sbi.bank.in/
– Bank of Maharashtra: https://bankofmaharashtra.bank.in/
– Union Bank of India: https://unionbankofindia.bank.in/
– Bank of Baroda: https://bankofbaroda.bank.in/
– Yes Bank: https://www.yes.bank.in/
– RBL Bank: https://www.rbl.bank.in/
– Bandhan Bank: https://bandhan.bank.in/
– Karnataka Bank: https://www.karnatakabank.bank.in/

The RBI’s initiative signals a proactive approach to enhancing the security of digital banking platforms in India. As banks prepare for this transition, they are expected to engage with the IDRBT for a smooth migration to the new domain, ensuring compliance and improved security measures for their online services.