India Toughens .IN Domain Rules: Foreign Registrars Must Appoint Local Representative
- Venkatesh Venkatasubramanian
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
New Delhi, July 8, 2025 — India’s .IN domain registry is rolling out a decisive enforcement of Section 4.3.7 in its Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA): any foreign registrar must now formally appoint an Indian representative with a physical office in India. The mandate further compels this rep to maintain an official email and phone number, and mandates their inclusion in every formal communication between the registrar and Indian authorities .
💡 Why This Matters
Until now, many foreign domain registrars operated across time zones without a clearly accountable person in India. This enforcement sends a strong signal: India demands on-the-ground accountability. A designated local point person means faster compliance, clearer communication, and better service efficiency.
What the Rule Requires
According to the RAA published six months ago, non-compliance isn’t an option. Here's a snapshot of the requirements:
The local rep must have a physical office in India.
They must have an official email address and phone number.
They must be cc’ed on all formal communications related to .IN domain operations
Registrars failing to meet these conditions face penalties, including possible accreditation revocation.
The Broader Push for Local Accountability
India is steadily tightening controls over Internet governance—a trend TechCrunch similarly reported in other tech regulatory spheres. This move aligns the digital space with broader data localization and regulatory rigor policies.
📌 Dotup Steps In: The Local Compliance Partner
Global registrar firms looking to stay compliant now have a ready solution: Dotup Technology. With an established India office and domain expertise, Dotup offers a turnkey approach:
Office-ready presence: A staffed Indian location fulfilling physical office requirements.
Contact infrastructure: Managed email and phone lines with SLA-backed responsiveness.
Automatic inclusion: Dotup’s team is looped into every .IN-related correspondence.
Ongoing compliance shield: Monitors shifts in RAA policy to keep registrars ahead of regulatory curveballs.
Bottom Line
India’s enforcement of Section 4.3.7 marks a turning point for foreign registrars in the .IN space. This isn’t just red tape—it’s a strategic shift toward local accountability, faster responses, and smoother domain operations. For registrars aiming to tap into India’s vast market, partnering with Dotup offers a seamless route to compliance—and peace of mind.
Want to explore how Dotup can become your accredited Indian representative under Section 4.3.7? Reach out to us at dotuptech.com.
