eKYC for Indian Domains
The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) requires electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) verification for .in domain registrations. This process helps verify the identity of domain registrants and ensures compliance with Indian regulations.
What Is eKYC?
eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) is an online identity verification process. For .in domains, it confirms that the registrant is a legitimate individual or organization. This is part of NIXIs Registrant Authorization and Authentication (RAA) framework.
When Is eKYC Required?
eKYC verification may be required:
- At the time of new .in domain registration
- When changing the registrant contact information
- When transferring a .in domain to a new owner
- During periodic audits by NIXI
- For .ind.in domains (always required — restricted to Indian individuals)
Accepted Identity Documents
For Indian Individuals
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | 12-digit unique identification number issued by UIDAI |
| PAN Card | Permanent Account Number issued by Income Tax Department |
For Indian Organizations
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| GSTIN | Goods and Services Tax Identification Number |
| CIN | Corporate Identification Number (for companies) |
| Registration Certificate | For trusts, societies, or partnerships |
For International Registrants
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid passport from any country |
| National ID | Government-issued national identity card |
Step-by-Step eKYC Process
Step 1: Access the eKYC Portal
- Log in to your Domain India client portal at https://domainindia.com/support
- Navigate to Domains > My Domains
- Click on the .in domain requiring verification
- Look for the eKYC Verification or Identity Verification banner/tab
- Click Start Verification
Step 2: Select Verification Method
Choose from the available verification options:
- Aadhaar OTP verification — Fastest method; OTP sent to Aadhaar-linked mobile
- PAN verification — Verify using your PAN number and date of birth
- Document upload — Manually upload a scan of your identity document
Step 3: Submit Your Details
For Aadhaar verification:
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number
- Click Send OTP
- Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
- Click Verify
For PAN verification:
- Enter your 10-character PAN number
- Enter your full name as it appears on the PAN card
- Enter your date of birth
- Click Verify
For document upload:
- Select the document type
- Upload a clear, legible scan or photo (JPEG/PNG/PDF, max 5MB)
- Ensure all four corners of the document are visible
- Click Submit for Review
Step 4: Verification Status
- Aadhaar/PAN: Verification is typically instant (within seconds)
- Document upload: Manual review may take 1-3 business days
Tip: Aadhaar OTP verification is the fastest method. Keep your Aadhaar-linked mobile phone handy when starting the process.
Contact Profiles
Once you complete eKYC, a verified Contact Profile is created in your account. You can:
- Reuse the same verified profile for future .in domain registrations
- Create multiple contact profiles for different entities you manage
- View and manage profiles under Domains > Contact Profiles
Tip: Creating a verified contact profile before registering domains speeds up the registration process significantly.
Troubleshooting
- Aadhaar OTP not received: Ensure your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar. You can check at the UIDAI website. Wait 60 seconds before requesting a new OTP.
- PAN verification failed: Double-check that the name matches exactly as printed on the PAN card, including spelling and middle name.
- Document upload rejected: Ensure the image is clear, uncut, and in the accepted format. Blurry or partially visible documents will be rejected.
- Verification stuck in pending: Contact Domain India support for manual review escalation.
- Domain suspended due to unverified eKYC: Complete the verification process immediately. The domain will be reactivated once verification is approved.
Related Articles
Need help with eKYC verification? Contact Domain India support at [email protected] or open a ticket at https://domainindia.com/support.<h2>Registrar hold or registry hold? They need different things from you</h2>
Added August 2026. This is the distinction that most often sends people down the wrong path.
A .IN domain can be stopped by two different holds. They look identical from the outside — the website and email simply stop working — but what clears them is not the same. Doing the wrong one means waiting for something that will never happen.
| Hold | Who applied it | What clears it | Who acts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registrar hold clientHold |
Us, as your registrar | Completing eKYC — nothing else. No documents need to be sent to anyone. | We release it ourselves, automatically, as soon as verification succeeds. |
| Registry hold serverHold |
The registry (NIXI) | eKYC and a copy of your Aadhaar sent to us, which we submit to the registry on your behalf. | Only the registry can lift it, once the evidence is filed. |
How to tell which one you have
- A new domain that has never worked is almost always a registrar hold. Complete eKYC in your client area and it will start working on its own.
- A domain that worked before and has now stopped, where eKYC is already complete, is almost always a registry hold. Send us your Aadhaar through a support ticket and we will file it.
- If you are not sure, raise a ticket with your domain name and we will tell you which it is. You do not need to work it out yourself.
One thing worth knowing: we cannot lift a registry hold by request, however urgent the situation. It is not a matter of authorisation — the registry controls that status and releases it only when the evidence has been submitted and accepted. What we can do is file it for you the same day we receive it.
Before you start verification — check the name matches
The name on your identity document must match the registrant name on the domain. If they differ at all — a missing middle name, a different spelling, initials rather than a full name — the check fails silently and the hold stays in place, usually with nothing to tell you why. Correct the registrant name first, then verify.
If you are outside India
The online verification is built around Indian identity documents and will not work from abroad. Your route is a signed declaration of your connection with India plus a copy of your passport, sent to [email protected], which we file with the registry for you. It is normally verified within one to three business days.
Please check Who Can Register a .IN Domain before purchasing — a .IN domain does require a genuine connection with India.