RBI New Rules 2025 Is Pushing Banks Towards-.bank.in Domain

Introduction: Why Bank Website Domains Matter Today

In today’s world, almost every banking activity happens online opening accounts, checking balances, transferring money even applying for loans Because of this shift online frauds and phishing attacks have also increased.

A common trick used by scammers is creating fake bank websites using look-alike domain names. Many customers unknowingly enter their login details on these websites and lose money.

To tackle this rising threat, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and IDRBT introduced a more secure domain structure for banks in India “.bank.in”.
But what exactly does this mean? Is it compulsory? Will every bank change its website? Can hackers copy the new domain?Illustration showing secure .bank.in domain for Indian banks with RBI cybersecurity theme.

What is the “.bank.in” Domain?

“.bank.in” is a special domain reserved only for RBI-regulated Indian banks.
No private individual, company, fintech, or scammer can legally buy this domain.

It is managed by:

• IDRBT (Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology)
• Under NIXI and MeitY

This domain is meant to act like an official identity badge for Indian banks.

Example:

• Canara Bank → canarabank.bank.in
• SBI → sbi.bank.in (example)
• HDFC → hdfcbank.bank.in (example)

This makes it easy for customers to identify genuine banking websites.

What Did RBI Actually Say?
Media reported that all banks must move to .bank.in by 31 October 2025, but PIB later clarified that RBI did not make it fully mandatory immediately.

However:

• RBI strongly encouraged banks to use “.bank.in” for better cybersecurity.
• Many major banks have already started shifting to “.bank.in”.
• Over time, more banks are expected to migrate voluntarily or under future mandates.

As of now, customers may see both domains:

• old domain (.com /.co.in)
• new secure domain (.bank.in)

But the industry trend is clearly moving toward “.bank.in”.

Why RBI Wants Banks to Use “.bank.in”

Here are the major reasons:
1. Protection against phishing
Most online frauds start with website imitation.
“.bank.in” reduces this risk because:

• Only real RBI-regulated banks can use it
• Scammers cannot buy or mimic it easily
• Customers can quickly identify official websites

2. Better trust & transparency
A unique domain signals credibility.
Just like “.gov.in” means government sites,
“.bank.in” means official Indian bank sites.

3. Higher cybersecurity standards
Domains under “.bank.in” require stronger:

• SSL certificates
• DNS security
• Fraud monitoring
• Domain protection policies

This reduces the chance of hacking.

4. Standardisation across the banking sector
Every bank using a similar domain structure makes it easier for customers to verify authenticity.

Which Banks Have Started Using “.bank.in”?

According to public reports, many major banks are migrating, including:

1. SBI
2. HDFC Bank
3. ICICI Bank
4. Axis Bank
5. Canara Bank
6. Bank of Baroda
7. Union Bank
8. Indian Bank

(Banks may continue using both old and new domains during transition)

Can Hackers Duplicate the “.bank.in” Domain?

Hackers cannot buy an exact “.bank.in” domain.
It is restricted.

But hackers can try tricking you using look-alike domains:

Examples:

Fake Domain	Trick Used
canarabank.bank-in.xyz	Uses hyphen + fake extension
canarabank.ban-k.in	Inserts dash inside name
canarabankbannk.in	Double letters
canarabank.in.com	Fake subdomain

These look similar but are completely fake.

So, customers should always check the exact URL:

• Ends with .bank.in
• Has a proper SSL lock (https)
• No spelling mistakes
• No extra dots or hyphens

How to Check if a Bank Website is Real

• Step 1: Look at the domain
  Should be exactly bankname.bank.in
• Step 2: Check for HTTPS lock
  A genuine bank will always use secure encryption.
• Step 3: Verify certificate
  Click the lock icon → Check the certificate issuer.
• Step 4: Never use links from SMS/WhatsApp
  Type the address manually or use Google Search.
• Step 5: Install the official mobile banking app
  Apps are generally safer than browser logins.

Impact on Banks & Website Technology

Banks shifting to “.bank.in” must handle:

• Bulk redirecting old links (301 redirects)
• Updating all mobile apps, APIs, and servers
• Maintaining SEO authority
• Securing old domains from being hijacked

If they fail to secure the old domain, a hacker might buy it later and misuse it.

Does the “.bank.in” Domain Make Banking 100% Safe?

No domain can guarantee total safety.
But “.bank.in” does give much stronger security than .com or .in.

FAQ Section
1. Is .bank.in compulsory for all banks?
Not fully mandatory yet. But strongly encouraged.

2. Can I trust a bank still using .com?
Yes, but always verify the certificate and spelling.

3. Will old domains stop working?
Banks will continue both domains during transitional period.

4. Are all .bank.in sites genuine?
Mostly yes, but always double-check the exact spelling.

My Final Conclusion: What Customers & Banks Should Understand
The shift toward “.bank.in” is a major step in India’s cybersecurity roadmap. While it is not strictly mandatory for every bank at the moment, the direction is clear RBI wants safer, standardised, trusted banking domains.For customers, adopting simple habits like checking the URL, avoiding SMS links, and using official apps can prevent most frauds. For banks, securing both old and new domains, maintaining proper redirects, and educating customers will be crucial during this transition.

“.bank.in” is a strong shield but your cautious behavior is the real security.

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