As India’s digital financial landscape continues to expand, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a decisive step to enhance cybersecurity and consumer trust. In a major announcement, the RBI has mandated all banks to transition their digital operations to the new “.bank.in” domain by October 31, 2025.
This initiative is not just a technical upgrade — it’s a transformative move toward securing India’s fast-growing online banking ecosystem.
Why the Shift to “.Bank.in”?
The RBI’s directive aims to standardize and secure the digital identity of Indian banks. With increasing incidents of phishing, spoofing, and fraudulent banking portals, a verified and exclusive domain structure provides a powerful layer of trust and protection for consumers.
Under this mandate:
- All Indian banks must migrate to the “.bank.in” domain for their online banking services.
- The Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), authorized by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) under MeitY, will serve as the exclusive registrar for these domains.
- Banks can initiate their registration process by contacting IDRBT at sahyog@idrbt.ac.in.
The Core Objectives Behind the “.Bank.in” Initiative
According to the RBI’s circular (April 22, 2025), the introduction of the “.bank.in” domain is designed to:
- Strengthen the cybersecurity framework in India’s financial sector
- Help customers easily identify legitimate banking websites
- Prevent phishing and digital frauds
- Build public confidence in digital transactions
This move will not only simplify the verification of genuine banking portals but also protect consumers from impersonation attempts and online scams.
Expert Insights: Strengthening India’s Financial Cybersecurity
Industry leaders have hailed the initiative as a major step forward.
Ankit Ratan, Co-founder & CEO of Signzy, noted:
“The operationalisation of the ‘.bank.in’ domain marks a significant step forward in India’s efforts to secure its rapidly growing digital financial ecosystem. This move will drastically reduce cyber threats, phishing attacks, and fake banking websites, while setting a new benchmark in digital trust.”
The RBI’s proactive stance aligns with global cybersecurity trends, ensuring that India’s banking infrastructure remains resilient in an era of digital transformation.
What This Means for Banks
While the shift to “.bank.in” strengthens public security, it also requires substantial backend readiness. Banks must:
- Upgrade their IT infrastructure to comply with new domain and security standards
- Ensure seamless migration without service interruptions
- Educate customers about the new domain structure to maintain trust
Major financial institutions are expected to lead the charge, setting benchmarks for smaller and regional banks to follow.
The Future of Digital Banking in India
The “.bank.in” domain marks the beginning of a more secure, transparent, and unified digital banking environment. It’s a visionary move by the RBI that prioritizes both innovation and consumer protection.
As India embraces this next phase of digital banking, initiatives like this reaffirm the nation’s commitment to a safe, modern, and globally competitive financial ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- All banks must switch to “.bank.in” by October 31, 2025
- Initiative aims to curb fraud and boost public trust
- IDRBT (under NIXI & MeitY) is the exclusive registrar
- Stronger cybersecurity and standardized identity for all Indian banks
