analysis .in - India - ccTLD (Country-Code Top-Level Domain)

[Eric Lyon]

Today, I'll be analyzing the popular .in ccTLD to see if I can dig up any helpful data-points that can be added to someone elses research into the .in extension.

.in is the ccTLD for India. It is managed by the National Internet Exchange of India.[1]

Source

Anyone can register .in, .co.in, .firm.in, .gen.in, .ind.in, .net.in, and .org.in domain names.

Source

With the above in mind, let's dive right in...

.in domain registration costs​

Registration costs for a .in domain range from $5 to $12 depending on what registrar you use.

Note: TLD-List.com shows the cheapest .in domain registration of $5.03.

.in domains registered today​

As of the most recent DomainTools TLD counts, there are 3,190,432 registered .in domain names today.

Public .in domain sales reports​

There's mixed numbers when it comes to reported .in sales ranging from 1.2k to 1.9k.

Note: NameBio.com shows there are 1,474 ,in domain sales ranging from $100 to $62,744.

8 niches for .in domains​

Fintech and Digital Payments
India’s booming digital payments sector—spurred by UPI, mobile wallets, and embedded finance—creates relentless demand for brandable, trust-worthy domain names. .in domains with keywords like “pay,” “wallet,” or “upi” can attract startups, neobanks, and payment gateways looking for local market credibility.

Technology Startups (AI, Blockchain, Web3)
With India emerging as a global hub for AI research, blockchain pilots, and Web3 innovation, short, memorable .in domains incorporating “ai,” “chain,” or “web3” are highly prized. Such names help tech ventures establish an instantly recognizable Indian identity in crowded international markets.

E-commerce and Online Retail
As e-commerce penetration crosses 50% in urban India, retailers and D2C brands seek .in domains that reinforce local trust. Extensions like .in combined with “shop,” “store,” or niche product terms (e.g., “ethnic,” “organic”) deliver SEO benefits and resonate strongly with Indian consumers.

Digital Health and Telemedicine
The post-pandemic surge in telehealth, healthtech apps, and wellness marketplaces has driven up valuations for health-related .in domains. Keywords such as “doc,” “clinic,” or “care” paired with .in signal regulatory compliance and local relevance for startups and service providers.

Education and EdTech
Online learning platforms, test-prep services, and skill-development portals flock to .in domains that clearly convey “learn,” “tutor,” or “academy.” India’s $10 billion-plus EdTech ecosystem rewards crisp, keyword-rich names with higher direct type-in traffic and brand recall.

Localized Services and Regional Businesses
Small businesses, from neighborhood pharmacies to local tour operators, leverage geo-tagged .in domains (e.g., “MumbaiTaxi.in” or “DelhiBakery.in”) to boost regional SEO. These domains help enterprises capture hyperlocal searches and build community trust online.

Government and Public Sector / GovTech
India’s Digital India initiative and state-level e-governance projects consistently procure domain names ending in .in. Agencies and GovTech vendors look for clear, authoritative domains like “serviceName.in” to signal official endorsements and simplify citizen access.

Startup and SME Ecosystem Services
Coworking spaces, incubators, legal consultancies, and funding platforms catering to India’s 70,000+ startups prioritize .in domains that reflect service focus, think “Pitch.in” or “ScaleUp.in.” Such names instantly communicate local expertise to emerging entrepreneurs.

Note: In addition to those, adjacent opportunities exist in travel tech, agritech, and sustainability sectors, all tapping into India’s rapid digital transformation. To validate demand, investors often mine marketplace listings (e.g., NameBio exports) and overlay keyword-search volumes for strategic acquisitions.

20 popular IN acronyms​

Here are 20 widely used definitions of the two-letter acronym IN, drawn from AcronymFinder and Abbreviations.com:

• IN – India (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code)
• IN – Indonesia (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code)
• IN – Internet (the global computer network)
• IN – Indiana (US Postal Service state abbreviation)
• IN – Inch or Inches (unit of length)
• IN – Input (computing term, e.g., data entered to a system)
• IN – Intelligent Network (telecom architecture that enables advanced services)
• IN – Infantry (land-based military combat unit)
• IN – Indian Navy (maritime warfare branch of India’s armed forces)
• IN – Inertial Navigation (self-contained navigation system using accelerometers and gyros)
• IN – Indium (chemical element, symbol In, atomic number 49)
• IN – Intelligence (Office of the Department of Energy)
• IN – Individual Network (a private or personal communications network)
• IN – Improvement Note (a financial instrument representing a debt obligation)
• IN – Instructor Navigator (US Air Force flight officer responsible for navigation training)
• IN – Information Need (definition used in US Department of Defense information-management doctrine)
• IN – Internist (medical specialist in internal medicine)
• IN – Intra Nasal (route of administration in pharmacology)
• IN – Ice-Forming Nuclei (particles in the atmosphere that catalyze ice formation)
• IN – Inspection Nucléaire (French term for nuclear inspection)

What a .in domain hack might look like​

You can treat the “.in” extension not just as India’s country code but as the acronym “IN,” standing for the first letters of a two-word phrase that completes or reinterprets the name before the dot. For example, mov.in can read as “Mobile Online Video Intelligence,” while jo.in becomes “Just Own It Now.”

Examples

Domain Hack	Acronym Expansion	Use Case
mov.in	Mobile Online Video Intelligence	Video-streaming platform
jo.in	Just Own It Now	Personal branding or e-commerce storefront
logg.in	Local Order & Goods Gateway IN	Hyperlocal delivery service
fundr.in	Funding & Underwriting IN	Crowdfunding platform
plug.in	Powering Learning Under Global IN	Educational software
peek.in	Personal Event & Experience IN	Virtual tour/immersive-experience site
growt.in	Growth Optimization & Wealth Tracking IN	Fintech or investment dashboard
step.in	Skill Training & Education Program IN	Online course marketplace
codecrack.in	Code Evaluation & Debugging IN	Developer tools or coding challenge site
plancheck.in	Planning & Compliance Hub IN	Project-management or legal compliance portal

Tips

• Secure the hack as a single purchase to lock the clever pairing before competitors do.
• Create a logo that visually emphasizes the “IN” as part of the phrase rather than just an extension.
• Optimize on-page SEO by weaving the full acronym expansion into title tags and metadata.
• Use the acronym phrase in your tagline and social-media handles for consistency.
• Test user comprehension with quick A/B copy tests to ensure the hack reads intuitively.

Note: You might also map popular Indian languages, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, to see if localized acronyms unlock new creative pairings. For deeper brand immersion, pilot a mini-campaign around one of these hacks and measure direct-type traffic lift over a quarter.

Average household income/salary of the .in region​

Metric	Value	Approx. USD Equivalent
Average salary (annual)	358,000 INR / year	$4,186 / year
Median salary (monthly)	27,300 INR / month	$320 / month
Salary range (monthly)	8,080 – 143,000 INR	$95 – $1,672

Note: Data source was the Time Doctor average salary study (2025)

Primary language spoken in the .in region​

Hindi is the primary language spoken in India (about 43.6 percent of the population), declaring it as their first language. Beyond Hindi, English serves as an associate official language used for government and legal matters, with roughly 12 percent of Indians reporting it as a second language. India also recognizes 22 scheduled languages, among which Bengali (8 percent), Marathi (6.9 percent), and Telugu (6.7 percent) are the next most widely spoken first languages.

Population of the .in region​

The .in ccTLD corresponds to India. As of mid-2025, India’s population is estimated at approximately 1,463,865,525 people, representing about 17.78% of the world’s total population.

Date	Population
Mid-2025 estimate	1,463,865,525
August 11, 2025 (live count)	1,465,254,377

Note: India is the world’s most populous country, with a population density of 492 people per km².

10 lead sources for .in domain outbound campaigns​

Here are 10 high-yield sources and platforms to discover prospects for .in domain names when running an outbound sales campaign.

• LinkedIn Sales Navigator
  • Filter by industry, company size, and geography (India) to pinpoint founders, marketing heads, and IT decision-makers.
  • Leverage “saved searches” and InMail to reach out with personalized domain suggestions.
• YourStory Startup Directory
  • Access a database of 20,000+ Indian startups across sectors.
  • Identify high-growth ventures planning brand expansions or digital launches.
• Inc42 Company Database
  • Browse profiles of funded startups and scale-ups.
  • Focus on those raising Series A/B rounds, you can propose premium .in domain upgrades.
• Justdial Local Business Listings
  • Millions of SMBs indexed by category and city.
  • Export contact info for restaurants, retail shops, clinics, and professional services looking to boost their online presence.
• Sulekha Service Providers
  • Home services, education, events, and more.
  • Many service providers lack strong digital branding, an entry point for .in domain proposals.
• IndiaMART Supplier Directory
  • Manufacturers, exporters, and B2B suppliers.
  • Tailor outreach to companies expanding into e-commerce or international trade.
• NASSCOM Member Directory
  • IT and software services firms, from bootstraps to Fortune 500 vendors.
  • These businesses value country-specific domains for local SEO and market trust.
• TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) Chapter Lists
  • Active entrepreneur networks in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and more.
  • Position .in domains as a symbol of home-grown success and credibility.
• GoDaddy Auctions – .in Zone
  • Monitor upcoming and closed auctions for .in domains.
  • Engage both buyers who lost bids and domain investors looking to expand portfolios.
• Domain Investor Forum (NamePros)
  • Sections dedicated to ccTLDs including .in.
  • Identify speculators and end-user buyers; offer buy-now deals and aftermarket insights.

Legal considerations when selling a domain to an existing business​

Trademark vs. Domain Name Rights

• Domain names provide Internet addressing rights but do not confer trademark protections or exclusive source-identifying rights beyond the registration term.
• Trademark rights arise from commercial use and/or registration, granting the owner exclusive rights to use the mark in connection with specified goods or services.

Risk of Trademark Infringement

• Courts apply the “likelihood of confusion” test to determine if a domain infringes a trademark; identical or highly similar domains used in related markets heighten this risk.
• Offering a domain that mirrors a trademark for analogous goods or services may expose you to infringement claims, injunctions, and potential damages.

Cybersquatting and the ACPA

• Cybersquatting occurs when someone registers, uses, or sells a domain incorporating a trademark in bad faith to profit from the mark owner’s goodwill.
• The Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) allows trademark owners to sue for bad-faith registration, seek domain transfers, and recover statutory damages ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 per domain name.

Dispute Resolution Options

• Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP): an administrative route for trademark holders to cancel or transfer infringing domains without claiming monetary damages; generally faster and less expensive than litigation.
• Federal Litigation under the ACPA: can result in domain transfers, injunctions, and statutory or actual damages, but involves higher legal costs and longer timelines.

Indicators of Bad Faith Registration

• Registering multiple confusingly similar domains around the same trademark.
• Advertising or offering the domain for sale without any bona fide use.
• Providing false or obscured registrant contact details.
• Intending to divert customers or dilute the trademark’s reputation.

Best Practices Before Outreach

• Conduct a comprehensive trademark search to identify potential conflicts in the relevant jurisdiction(s).
• Avoid domains that create a substantial likelihood of consumer confusion with existing marks.
• Include clear disclaimers in your pitch that registration of the domain does not guarantee trademark clearance.
• Consider drafting a simple licensing or assignment agreement to legitimize the transaction and reduce exposure.

Tips

• Set up trademark monitoring services to catch emerging conflicts early.
• Use an accredited escrow service for domain transfers to demonstrate good faith and ensure transactional transparency.
• Explore co-existence or licensing agreements when a business wishes to maintain its trademark while acquiring your domain.
• Stay informed on WIPO decisions and national court rulings, as interpretations of “bad faith” and “confusion” can vary by jurisdiction.

Potential .in domain investing strategy​

Market Overview
India’s online ecosystem is colossal, with roughly 1.46 billion people and rising internet penetration, digital-first businesses are exploding across metros and tier-2 cities. This scale underpins sustained demand for country-specific domains that boost local SEO, trust signals, and brand recall.

Demand Channels & Lead Sources

1. LinkedIn Sales Navigator: pinpoint founders and marketing heads at Indian companies.
2. YourStory & Inc42 Directories: target funded startups and scale-ups primed for brand expansion.
3. Justdial & Sulekha: tap millions of SMBs lacking strong digital identities.
4. IndiaMART & NASSCOM: engage B2B suppliers and IT service vendors seeking e-commerce arms.
5. TiE Chapters: connect with active entrepreneur networks in key cities.
6. GoDaddy Auctions (.in zone) & Domain Forums (NamePros): source undervalued expired domains and aftermarket prospects.

Legal Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Conduct comprehensive trademark searches before registration or outreach to avoid “likelihood of confusion.”
• Steer clear of exact trademark matches unless you hold a legitimate license or have explicit permission.
• Include disclaimers in pitches: domain registration ≠ trademark clearance.
• Use UDRP-compliant transfer processes and escrow services to demonstrate good faith.
• Monitor WIPO and ACPA precedents to stay ahead of shifting definitions of “bad faith.”

Multi-Tier Investment Examples

Tier	Domain Focus	Example	ROI Timeline
1	One-word, generic dictionary terms	shop.in, edu.in	12–24 months
2	Geo- or vertical-specific combos	delhisalon.in, fintech.in	6–18 months
3	Licensed/trademarked & aftermarket	brandname.in	On-demand

• Tier 1 builds long-term valuation via high-traffic keywords.
• Tier 2 captures quick wins by matching local services and emerging verticals.
• Tier 3 demands rigorous legal clearance but can be flipped at premium with zero holding costs.

Implementation

1. Research & Registration
   • Run keyword analytics (Google Trends, Ahrefs) to shortlist 50–100 high-value .in terms.
   • Complete trademark clearance checks for each.
2. Lead List Building
   • Export segmented contacts from LinkedIn, directories, and local listings.
   • Validate emails with Hunter.io or Clearbit.
3. Outreach Campaigns
   • Craft personalized email/InMail sequences highlighting SEO gains and brand trust.
   • Embed legal disclaimers and offer portfolio bundles.
4. Auction & Aftermarket Monitoring
   • Set alerts on GoDaddy Auctions for targeted expiries.
   • Engage forum traders with buy-now deals.
5. Portfolio Management
   • Track renewal schedules, traffic metrics, and inbound inquiries in a CRM.
   • Prune underperformers annually; reallocate capital to emerging keywords.
6. KPI Tracking & Iteration
   • Monitor reply rates, conversion rates, and sale prices.
   • A/B test messaging, pricing tiers, and package offerings every quarter.

Tips

• Explore domain hacks using “in” as a suffix (for instance, beguile.in or startu.ps for pan-India pitch).
• Watch for the upcoming .bharat launch to hedge investments and offer dual-TLD packages.
• Leverage case studies: quantify how .in domains lifted search rankings or user trust to sharpen your pitch.

Note: By combining data-driven keyword selection, targeted outbound sourcing, and strict legal safeguards, you’ll position your .in inventory for maximum liquidity and margin growth.

Communication challenges negotiating in a language you don't speak​

Marketing Challenges

• Low TLD Awareness
  • Prospects may not associate “.in” with India or view it as a credible country-code domain.
• Cultural Relevance
  • Any domain hack (e.g., “beguile.in”) tailored to English idioms falls flat if the audience doesn’t share that linguistic context.
• SEO PerceptionsSearch engines may not geo-target a “.in” domain for, say, a German or Brazilian market without additional signals (hreflang, local backlinks).
• Brand Trust
  • Local businesses often favor their home ccTLD (e.g., .de, .fr, .es). Convincing them that .in can still build trust requires hard data and case studies.
• Market Saturation
  • In many regions, online marketplaces, directory listings, and social media ads already dominate digital acquisition, selling a “.in” as the entry point can seem less relevant.

Communication Challenges

• Language Barriers
  • Even if decision-makers understand English, nuanced value propositions (local SEO uplift, ‘Made in India’ credibility) risk dilution.
• Preferred Channels
  • In Latin America, WhatsApp or local chat apps often outperform cold email; in East Asia, WeChat is king. Using the wrong channel lowers response rates.
• Cultural Nuance
  • Metaphors like “planting your flag in India” may resonate with Western audiences but sound tone-deaf elsewhere.
• Message Length and Tone
  • High-context cultures (e.g., Japan, Korea) expect longer, relationship-building introductions. Low-context cultures (e.g., Germany, Netherlands) prefer concise, data-driven pitches.

Negotiation Challenges

• Decision-Making Hierarchies
  • Some markets require sign-offs from multiple stakeholders or even family members; single-contact deals are rare.
• Price Sensitivity vs. Value Focus
  • In price-driven markets, your “premium .in” pitch may meet stiff resistance unless you package it with measurable ROI (traffic data, lead lift).
• Contract Formalities
  • Verbal commitments may carry weight in certain cultures, but you’ll still need legally binding, bilingual agreements to close sales without disputes.
• Payment Methods and Currency
  • Credit-card penetration, local payment gateways (e.g., Paytm, MercadoPago), and currency volatility can stall deals if not pre-addressed.

Translation Challenges

• Domain Name Integrity
  • You cannot translate a domain itself. If you localize marketing collateral, ensure readers still see and understand the .in extension as-is.
• Slogan and Tagline Loss
  • Phrases like “Get your brand in” play on the English preposition “in.” Translators may struggle to recreate that dual meaning.
• Technical Jargon
  • Terms like “ccTLD,” “WHOIS,” or “DNS propagation” must be translated accurately to avoid confusion and support questions.
• Consistency Across Assets
  • Email templates, landing pages, slide decks, and sales scripts all need synchronized translations to preserve tone and messaging hierarchy.
• SEO Keyword Localization
  • Local audiences search with native-language keywords. A literal translation of “buy .in domain” may yield zero Google results in non-English SERPs.

Tips

• Partner with Local Experts
  • Engage regional digital-marketing agencies or freelance copywriters who understand local idioms, channels, and decision-making norms.
• Create Bilingual Collateral
  • Build side-by-side English and local-language one-pagers, case studies, and slide decks to bridge comprehension gaps.
• Leverage Data & Case Studies
  • Show concrete examples of how Indian companies (and non-Indian adopters, if any) have boosted SEO and brand trust with .in domains.
• Localize Your Outreach
  • Adjust your touchpoints: WhatsApp sequences for Brazil, WeChat messages for China, polite formal emails for Japan.
• Offer Tiered Pricing & Bundles
  • Include local ccTLDs, e.g., bundle .in + .bitri.la or .in + .com.br, to give prospects an easy way to “test the waters.”
• Pilot in One Market
  • Run a small-scale campaign in a single non-English market, gather feedback on messaging, objections, and conversion rates, then iterate.

Note: By anticipating these challenges and embedding local expertise into your marketing, communication, negotiation, and translation workflows, you’ll turn .in domains from an unfamiliar TLD into a strategic asset for global brands.

Questions for you​

• Do you own any .in domains?
  • If so, how have they been doing for you?
• Thinking about investing into any .in domains?
  • If so, what niche will you target and why?

Remember, at the end of the day, a domain name is truly only worth what a buyer and seller agree on.

What works for one may not work for another and vice versa.

Have a great domain investing adventure!

 

[purohit]

Thanks to Eric Lyon for putting together such a detailed post on the current mess with the .IN TLD. Honestly, it was an eye-opener and something that really needed to be said, because right now, .IN feels like one of the riskiest extensions to put your hard-earned money into.

The registry has started slapping server-holds on domains without warning or valid explanation, and then asks registrants to submit documents and justify why they even own the name. Some people have had their domains locked down for months, which creates unnecessary stress for small investors.

Here’s what the registry claims:

“We are scrutinising newly registered domains daily. Suspected names (incomplete WHOIS or resembling govt schemes) are placed on server hold until validated and released again. This has been effective for preventing malicious activity and satisfies LEAs.”

Okay, fair enough if that’s really about security - but then why is there zero action against registrars openly abusing the system, drop-catching premium .IN domains, and reselling them for insane markups? That’s where the real abuse lives.

Take inbackorder for example:

They’ve caught and sold over 52,000+ domains (the order IDs speak for themselves).

At $25 per drop catching, ( 25 x 52,000 ) that’s $1.3M+ minimum revenue - not even counting the flips sold for $250, $500, $1000, $2000, and even $5000+.

Example: all(.)in was caught & sold for $5,000 → later resold for $50,000.

And this wasn’t some accident. To scale the operation, a single individual spun up multiple shell registrars only for drop-catching:

SHIVASHISH ENTERPRISES

KSC Enterprises

Joolytech Web Solutions

Phoenix Corp.

Namo Devs

Gemini Software Solutions

So here’s the obvious question: how did one person manage to spin up multiple shell registrars under NIXI without someone on the inside enabling it? It’s hard to believe this scale of abuse happens without insider knowledge or benefit.

What’s even more surprising is the silence from senior .IN investors. A lot of them know exactly what’s going on, but choose to stay quiet. Why? Meanwhile, inbackorder has already made millions. Even if NIXI shut down his registrars tomorrow, it wouldn’t matter. He’s already had huge success via Dynadot in the past, and he’ll just pivot right back to big registrars like Dynadot - now with even more funds in his pocket - and keep catching at scale.

Another entity, operating via Costrar.com, is executing the same drop-catching and high-price reselling scheme. The domain believe(.)in was sold for $12,555 through this setup.

This isn’t new behavior either. The same group (via Tool Domains) registered tons of trademark names back in the sunrise period of new extensions (google(.)com(.)in, amazon(.)com(.)in, apple(.)com(.)in, etc.). Later they shifted to Netim.com, and now you see them behind Costrar.com. Even familiar names like Gergana Raycheva (Tool Domains/Edoms) keep reappearing.

“Recently, a friend showed me some Tool Domains sales — clear evidence of malpractice that’s generating huge income. It’s shocking to see that this is really achievable.”

All of this openly violates NIXI’s own Registry Advisory LA 01, which clearly bans registrars and resellers from “squatting, grabbing, hoarding, auctioning or selling .IN domain names at inflated prices.” The advisory even threatens termination of accreditation - but not a single registrar has ever faced consequences.

Instead, it’s the small registrants who get punished:

Our names are suspended.

We send endless emails begging for unsuspension.

We’re forced to justify usage, provide IDs, and explain ourselves like criminals.

Because of this bias:

DAN already pulled all .IN listings - they no longer exist, just for your information.

Afternic doesn’t allow .IN.

And if things keep going this way, Sedo might walk too.

“If the registry decides they want your domain, they can take it without any prior notice - and many individuals have already lost valuable names this way. Yet most of them remain silent, choosing not to speak up against the registry. It’s time they raise their voices and share their experiences.”

The registry squeezes small investors, while the large-scale abusers carry on untouched.

Bottom line: unless NIXI actually enforces its own rules fairly and clamps down on registrar-backed hoarding, .IN will stay a dangerous and unpredictable TLD to invest in.

 

[Eric Lyon]

Thanks to Eric Lyon for putting together such a detailed post on the current mess with the .IN TLD. Honestly, it was an eye-opener and something that really needed to be said, because right now, .IN feels like one of the riskiest extensions to put your hard-earned money into.

The registry has started slapping server-holds on domains without warning or valid explanation, and then asks registrants to submit documents and justify why they even own the name. Some people have had their domains locked down for months, which creates unnecessary stress for small investors.

Here’s what the registry claims:

“We are scrutinising newly registered domains daily. Suspected names (incomplete WHOIS or resembling govt schemes) are placed on server hold until validated and released again. This has been effective for preventing malicious activity and satisfies LEAs.”

Okay, fair enough if that’s really about security - but then why is there zero action against registrars openly abusing the system, drop-catching premium .IN domains, and reselling them for insane markups? That’s where the real abuse lives.

Take inbackorder for example:

They’ve caught and sold over 52,000+ domains (the order IDs speak for themselves).

At $25 per drop catching, ( 25 x 52,000 ) that’s $1.3M+ minimum revenue - not even counting the flips sold for $250, $500, $1000, $2000, and even $5000+.

Example: all(.)in was caught & sold for $5,000 → later resold for $50,000.

And this wasn’t some accident. To scale the operation, a single individual spun up multiple shell registrars only for drop-catching:

SHIVASHISH ENTERPRISES

KSC Enterprises

Joolytech Web Solutions

Phoenix Corp.

Namo Devs

Gemini Software Solutions

So here’s the obvious question: how did one person manage to spin up multiple shell registrars under NIXI without someone on the inside enabling it? It’s hard to believe this scale of abuse happens without insider knowledge or benefit.

What’s even more surprising is the silence from senior .IN investors. A lot of them know exactly what’s going on, but choose to stay quiet. Why? Meanwhile, inbackorder has already made millions. Even if NIXI shut down his registrars tomorrow, it wouldn’t matter. He’s already had huge success via Dynadot in the past, and he’ll just pivot right back to big registrars like Dynadot - now with even more funds in his pocket - and keep catching at scale.

Another entity, operating via Costrar.com, is executing the same drop-catching and high-price reselling scheme. The domain believe(.)in was sold for $12,555 through this setup.

This isn’t new behavior either. The same group (via Tool Domains) registered tons of trademark names back in the sunrise period of new extensions (google(.)com(.)in, amazon(.)com(.)in, apple(.)com(.)in, etc.). Later they shifted to Netim.com, and now you see them behind Costrar.com. Even familiar names like Gergana Raycheva (Tool Domains/Edoms) keep reappearing.

Show attachment 281095

“Recently, a friend showed me some Tool Domains sales — clear evidence of malpractice that’s generating huge income. It’s shocking to see that this is really achievable.”

Show attachment 281094
All of this openly violates NIXI’s own Registry Advisory LA 01, which clearly bans registrars and resellers from “squatting, grabbing, hoarding, auctioning or selling .IN domain names at inflated prices.” The advisory even threatens termination of accreditation - but not a single registrar has ever faced consequences.

Instead, it’s the small registrants who get punished:

Our names are suspended.

We send endless emails begging for unsuspension.

We’re forced to justify usage, provide IDs, and explain ourselves like criminals.

Because of this bias:

DAN already pulled all .IN listings - they no longer exist, just for your information.

Afternic doesn’t allow .IN.

And if things keep going this way, Sedo might walk too.

“If the registry decides they want your domain, they can take it without any prior notice - and many individuals have already lost valuable names this way. Yet most of them remain silent, choosing not to speak up against the registry. It’s time they raise their voices and share their experiences.”

The registry squeezes small investors, while the large-scale abusers carry on untouched.

Bottom line: unless NIXI actually enforces its own rules fairly and clamps down on registrar-backed hoarding, .IN will stay a dangerous and unpredictable TLD to invest in.

Wow!

Thanks for all the added information.

Meanwhile, the .in registration numbers are soaring higher and higher without a dip in sight.

The last 5 years has seen a massive spike in registrations.

You would think that if so many aftermarket sales platforms are pulling out, it would eventually affect the total registration numbers and eventually start leading to dip in registration stats, right?

Might be worth monitoring the registration stats a while to see if/when the dip starts to happen.

For now though, its a steady increase.

Source

Is there another registration data source more credible than the above with different statistics?

 

[purohit]

Eric, thanks for laying it all out so clearly.


True, the chart does show steady growth. But one thing is certain - regardless of which data source you look at, the registry has made huge profits without any doubt.

Also worth noting, a few individuals are quietly holding massive portfolios. Most .IN sales never even get reported, mainly because this particular TLD carries so many restrictions from the registry itself. Ironically, the registry doesn’t realize they’re the real villain in this story.

 

[marijuanadomain]

You will be penalized with 50% more fees....domain tariffs fees

 

[nicenic]

I’m just tryna lock the best domain before someone else cashes .in lol.

 

[Eric Lyon]

Update: Interesting news regarding the .in ccTLD in another NP thread here: https://www.namepros.com/threads/nixi-restricts-in-registrations.1367843/

Evidently:

Clarification on residential status
NIXI has indicated that registrations shall be restricted to individuals or organizations based in India going forward.

Existing domains from foreign registrants will be moved out of Endurance Digital Domain Technology Private Limited.

Sounds like a high-number of international domain investors outside of India may be about to shift and pivot away from the .IN's in their portfolios and any developments they invested further into.

Hopefully they can find India based buyers before the timer runs out. As it sounds like transfers in the future, will also have to be to India residents or businesses, even if the current registrant is grandfathered.

 

[Wesley S]

i would suppose this tld is like .xyz in India.

 

[marijuanadomain]

Update: Interesting news regarding the .in ccTLD in another NP thread here: https://www.namepros.com/threads/nixi-restricts-in-registrations.1367843/

Evidently:

Clarification on residential status
NIXI has indicated that registrations shall be restricted to individuals or organizations based in India going forward.

Existing domains from foreign registrants will be moved out of Endurance Digital Domain Technology Private Limited.

Sounds like a high-number of international domain investors outside of India may be about to shift and pivot away from the .IN's in their portfolios and any developments they invested further into.

Hopefully they can find India based buyers before the timer runs out. As it sounds like transfers in the future, will also have to be to India residents or businesses, even if the current registrant is grandfathered.

The PM of India ,Modi said all India nationals have to use dot IN ,that the law of the country.,to show patriotism.
If caught,you will be penalized at $1000000 fines and 20yrs in jail for treason

 

[Eric Lyon]

The PM of India ,Modi said all India nationals have to use dot IN ,that the law of the country.,to show patriotism.
If caught,you will be penalized at $1000000 fines and 20yrs in jail for treason

Have a link to a press release or news reel about that? That might be an interesting read. I'm not finding anything about it being a law and it sounds a bit extreme...

 

[marijuanadomain]

Have a link to a press release or news reel about that? That might be an interesting read. I'm not finding anything about it being a law and it sounds a bit extreme...

It is in the process....

 

[Vertibox]

Just as a side note, India will never ever be like what China has become.

These videos explain.

So investment in .in names are unlikely to see much growth in desirability and hence, value.

 

[Eric Lyon]

More unfortunate news affecting the .in ccTLD: https://www.namepros.com/articles/c...eping-new-obligations-for-registrars.1373036/

 

[URL Stream]

So this presents an opportunity for India-based domainers to invest in domains that are being dropped or sold at low prices?

Are there any restrictions governing the reselling of domains on the aftermarket between residents?

 

[URL Stream]

Note: NameBio.com shows there are 1,474 ,in domain sales ranging from $100 to $62,744.

Interestingly, according to NameBio, nearly 100% of reported sales in the .in TLD appear to be resale rather than wholesale.

What should we make of this?