Buy a Domain Permanently in India? 2025 Reality, Workarounds, and .IN Guide

You want a domain you’ll never lose-fair ask. Here’s the straight truth: you can’t buy any domain “permanently” in India (or anywhere). Domains are rented in 1-10 year chunks and must be renewed. The good news? With the right setup, you can keep a domain for life with very low risk.

• You can’t purchase a domain forever. You register it and renew it indefinitely.
• Most extensions (.com, .in) allow up to 10 years at a time; turn on auto‑renew and keep payment valid.
• Pick an ICANN/NIXI‑accredited registrar, lock the domain, add 2FA, and use registry lock if available.
• Beware “lifetime domain” marketing-it’s just pre‑paid renewals tied to that registrar.
• Watch trademark rules (UDRP/INDRP). If you infringe, you can lose the name even if it’s paid up.

Can you buy a domain permanently in India? The real answer

Short answer: no. Domains are not property you own outright; they’re subscriptions you maintain. This isn’t a quirk of India-this is how the domain system works globally. For generic extensions like .com and .org, ICANN’s policies cap the registration period at up to 10 years at once. For India’s country extension (.in), the .IN Registry (run by NIXI) also allows multi‑year registrations, commonly up to 10 years, with renewals as you go.

So what does “permanent” look like in practice? It means you register the domain now, stack the maximum term (say, 10 years), and ensure continuous renewals after that. As long as you keep paying and you don’t violate policies or laws, you can hold the name forever.

Why can’t anyone sell you a forever domain? Because registries (like Verisign for .com, NIXI for .in) and ICANN set the rules. Registrars must follow those rules under contracts (for example, ICANN’s Registrar Accreditation Agreement). No one can escape them with a magic “permanent” button.

What about “lifetime domains” you see advertised? Those offers are not permanent in a legal or technical sense. They’re basically a promise that the seller will keep renewing your domain as long as you’re hosted with them or as long as their business exists. If they shut down, change terms, or stop paying, your domain is at risk. You also get vendor lock‑in, because transfers can break the “lifetime” promise.

Another angle: even if you pay on time, you can still lose a domain in a dispute. If your domain infringes someone’s trademark, it can be taken under ICANN’s UDRP (for .com, .org, etc.) or NIXI’s INDRP (for .in). That’s why avoiding others’ brands and filing your own trademark when you build a brand is part of “owning it for life.”

India‑specific notes you should know in 2025:

• .in is open to anyone worldwide-no local presence required. It’s designed for Indian use, but there’s no residency lock.
• Registrars in India add GST on domain services. Expect 18% GST on top of listed prices if they’re exclusive of tax.
• Verification: registrars must verify your contact email, and for .in, registrars may ask for KYC to comply with .IN Registry anti‑abuse checks. Keep a valid ID and business documents handy if requested.

Bottom line: permanent purchase is not possible; permanent control is. You do that with the right TLD choice, registrar choice, renewal setup, and security.

Step‑by‑step: Register a domain in India and make it ‘as permanent as possible’

1. Decide your extension (TLD) strategy. For Indian customers, .in is a strong signal of local trust. Consider .co.in if you want a traditional business feel. If you’re global, pairing .com with .in is smart: register both and redirect one to the other so copycats can’t grab the spare.

2. Search and shortlist names. Run checks for availability on a reliable registrar or marketplace. Keep it short, easy to spell, and brandable. Avoid hyphens and numbers unless they’re part of your brand.

3. Run a quick trademark check before you commit. Search India’s IP India database for obvious conflicts. Also check Google and major marketplaces. If you plan to build a serious brand, talk to a trademark attorney and file early. This avoids UDRP/INDRP headaches later.

4. Pick the right registrar. Choose an ICANN‑accredited registrar for gTLDs and a .IN‑accredited registrar for .in. Look for: honest renewal pricing (first‑year discounts are fine; renewals should be clear), two‑factor authentication, domain lock, registry lock (if offered), good support, and Indian payment methods (UPI, netbanking, RuPay/Visa/Mastercard). Read their transfer‑out policy and support SLAs upfront.

5. Register for the maximum term you can afford today. Most TLDs allow up to 10 years. The extra upfront cost protects you from price hikes and billing failures. It also gives you breathing room if your card changes or your team forgets a renewal.

6. Turn on auto‑renew and set two payment backups. Use a primary card and a backup card. If your registrar supports it, set a wallet balance/top‑up too. Auto‑renew usually triggers about 30 days before expiry-make sure funds are available.

7. Secure the domain. Turn on clientTransferProhibited (domain lock), enable 2FA on your registrar account, and use a unique, strong password. If your registrar offers registry lock (a higher‑level lock that requires manual verification to change records), buy it for flagship names. Set a transfer PIN (EPP/Auth code) and store it securely.

8. Use correct WHOIS/Registrant data. Put the legal owner’s details: your company’s name if it’s a business asset. Do not put a developer’s personal name. Keep the email active and monitored; registrars send critical renewal and verification emails there.

9. Set reminders and monitoring. Add calendar reminders for 60/30/14/7/1 days before expiry. Turn on registrar notifications (SMS/email). Consider external monitoring services to alert you if WHOIS or nameservers change unexpectedly (good for spotting hijacks).

10. Point DNS and test. Set nameservers (either your registrar’s DNS, your host, or a managed DNS provider). Add A/AAAA, CNAME, and MX records. Test with DNS propagation tools. Keep a copy of your DNS zone so you can rebuild fast if you ever switch providers.

11. Document ownership and access. Save invoices, WHOIS snapshots, and registry/registrar receipts. Keep a password manager entry with the registrar login, 2FA backups, and support PIN. If you have a team, set role‑based access; never share the root password.

12. Plan for transfers and corporate changes. If you rebrand or move registrars, unlock the domain, get the EPP code, and start the transfer at the new registrar. Make sure the registrant email can receive approval messages. Avoid transfers within 60 days of a previous transfer or ownership change (many TLDs restrict that window).

A quick buying example in India:

• Search your chosen .in and .com at two or three registrars.
• Check renewal pricing and redemption fees on each registrar’s pricing page.
• Register both for 5-10 years.
• Turn on auto‑renew, add 2FA, and lock the domains.
• Keep invoices and WHOIS data with your company name.

And yes, you can absolutely buy domain in India while living abroad or paying with an international card. The system cares about correct registrant data and payments, not where you sit.

Costs, terms, and pitfalls in 2025 (India‑specific)

Here’s what to expect on pricing, renewal terms, grace periods, and the gotchas that make people lose domains.

Notes:

• Prices vary by registrar, promos, and currency rates. Indian registrars add GST (often 18%) if listed prices exclude tax.
• Grace and redemption windows vary by registry and registrar. Don’t rely on grace; pay before the expiry date.
• Premium names (short or dictionary words) can cost much more-both at purchase and renewal.

Red flags and pitfalls that get people in trouble:

• Chasing a “lifetime domain” deal. It’s pre‑paid renewals tied to a single company. If they vanish, your lifetime ends early.
• Not checking renewals. A failed card or a closed email inbox is the most common reason good domains drop.
• Putting the wrong owner on WHOIS. If a contractor’s name is on it, you can end up begging for transfers later.
• Trademark conflicts. If your name matches a known brand in the same category, you’re inviting a dispute.
• Skipping security. No 2FA and unlocked domains are soft targets for hijack attempts.

Heuristics that work:

• If the name is core to your business, register it for 10 years and set auto‑renew. The cost is small compared to the risk.
• Register common typos and close variants if budget allows. Redirect them to your main site.
• Always register the domain to your company, not to individuals. Use a shared group email owned by the company (like [email protected]) for registrar logins.
• Keep a backup credit card on file and a small registrar wallet balance if supported.

Quick decision helper:

• Local Indian audience first? Get .in (and .co.in if available). Add .com if you plan to go global.
• Global first? Get .com and defensive .in if India is in your roadmap.
• Budget tight? Choose one main TLD, max the term you can afford now (at least 3-5 years), and set auto‑renew.

Checklist: make it “as permanent as possible”

• Pick registrar (ICANN/.IN‑accredited), compare renewal and redemption fees.
• Run trademark checks; avoid brand conflicts; file your own mark if you’re serious.
• Register for 5-10 years; turn on auto‑renew; add a backup payment method.
• Enable domain lock, 2FA, and registry lock (for high‑value names).
• Set alerts for 60/30/14/7/1 days before expiry; verify the registrant email works.
• Store invoices, WHOIS snapshots, and the EPP code in a password manager.

Mini‑FAQ

Can I truly buy a domain forever? No. You can hold it indefinitely by renewing on time. Most TLDs let you stack up to 10 years at once.

Is .in better than .com for India? If India is your main market, .in builds local trust and often has better availability. If you aim global, .com is still the universal pick. Many businesses keep both.

Do I need to live in India to get .in? No. .in is open worldwide. Your registrar may ask for ID verification.

What if my domain expires by mistake? Act fast. Many TLDs have a grace period (0-45 days) and then a 30‑day redemption period with a fee. After that, it can drop or go to auction.

What is registry lock and do I need it? Registry lock is a high‑security service at the registry level. It blocks changes and transfers unless you pass extra checks with the registrar. It’s worth it for critical names.

Can someone take my domain if I pay every year? Yes, in limited cases: trademark disputes (UDRP/INDRP), court orders, or policy violations. That’s why brand checks and clean usage matter.

Are “lifetime domain” plans legit? They’re not permanent; they’re a marketing wrapper for renewals managed by the seller. If the seller fails, your domain’s at risk.

Next steps and troubleshooting

• Solo founders: Register your main .in and .com for 5-10 years today. Turn on auto‑renew and add a backup card. Save your registrar login and 2FA backup codes in a password manager.
• SMBs with teams: Put the domain under the company with a role‑based login. Enforce 2FA for admins. Document the transfer‑out process and store the EPP code securely.
• Enterprises: Use a corporate registrar or enterprise DNS provider, enable registry lock, and set change‑control workflows. Audit domain portfolios quarterly.
• Already expired: Check your registrar account status first. If it’s within grace, renew at normal price. If in redemption, be ready to pay the redemption fee. If it’s gone to auction, you’ll need to bid or wait for drop‑catch services.
• Stuck with a “lifetime” vendor: Ask for the EPP code and unlock the domain. Transfer to a mainstream registrar. Expect to lose the lifetime perk-that’s the trade‑off for control.
• Trademark scare: Stop using the domain in the conflicting way, seek legal advice, and consider rebranding early. Filing your own trademark can help long‑term.

If you remember one thing, make it this: the “forever” part isn’t a product you can buy; it’s a habit. Max the term, lock it down, auto‑renew, keep payments current, and avoid trademark trouble. Do that, and your domain will outlast trends, staff changes, and even your hosting providers.