Banks Go Secure! India's Top Banks Shift to '.bank.in' - Are You Safe Online?

Banking/Finance

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Updated on 13 Nov 2025, 09:39 am

Key Developments: All major Indian banks, including State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank, are transitioning their official websites to the new '.bank.in' domain. RBI Directive: This change is mandated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and aims to significantly enhance online security and protect customers from fraudulent activities. Deadline: Banks were instructed to complete this migration by October 31, 2025. Purpose: The primary goal is to combat phishing scams, where fake websites mimic legitimate bank portals to steal customer banking details, leading to financial losses. Enhanced Security: The '.bank.in' domain is exclusively for verified entities regulated by the RBI, making it much harder for fraudsters to create fake sites. This is expected to reduce online banking fraud and build greater customer trust in digital transactions. Recent Fraud Trends: A recent RBI report for FY25 shows a decline in the number of bank fraud cases (down 34%), but the total amount involved nearly tripled to ₹36,014 crore. This increase was largely due to the reclassification of older, high-value cases. Private banks reported more cases, while public sector banks saw a larger value involved in frauds. Impact: This initiative is crucial for safeguarding the digital banking ecosystem in India, enhancing customer confidence, and mitigating financial losses from online fraud. Rating: 7/10

Difficult Terms: Phishing: A type of online scam where fraudsters impersonate legitimate companies or individuals to trick people into revealing sensitive information like usernames, passwords, credit card details, or bank account numbers, often through fake websites or emails. Cybersecurity: The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users; or interrupting normal business processes.