NIXI at 23: MeitY Secretary flags trust, resilience as pillars of India's internet future
Synopsis
As NIXI turned 23, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan didn't just celebrate — he launched four new digital tools, including an AI-powered platform to detect suspicious websites in India's .IN domain space. With IPv6 adoption at 78.34% and 79 IXPs nationwide, NIXI is quietly becoming the spine of India's internet security architecture.
Key Takeaways
NIXI completed 23 years of operations, marked by an event in New Delhi on 20 June .
Krishnan launched four initiatives: IX Portal , myIRINN Portal , .IN Auction Portal , and an AI-Powered WHOIS Screening Platform .
The AI-Powered WHOIS Platform is designed to detect suspicious websites and strengthen India's .IN domain security.
NIXI manages over 39 lakh .IN domain names and operates 79 Internet Exchange Points across India.
IPv6 adoption in India has reached approximately 78.34% , according to NIXI.
ICANN's Samiran Gupta called for stronger Indian participation in global internet governance discussions.
S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Chairman of the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), on 20 June called for building greater trust, resilience, and security across India's internet ecosystem as NIXI marked 23 years of operations. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Krishnan launched four new digital initiatives aimed at strengthening the country's digital infrastructure.
Four New Initiatives Unveiled
The initiatives launched at the event are the IX Portal, the myIRINN Portal, the .IN Auction Portal, and an AI-Powered WHOIS Screening Platform. Each is designed to enhance user experience, improve transparency, and raise operational efficiency across India's internet ecosystem.
The AI-Powered WHOIS Screening Platform is expected to play a particularly significant role in bolstering domain name security. According to an official statement from NIXI, it will strengthen detection of suspicious websites and reinforce the integrity of India's .IN domain space.
What NIXI Said
'NIXI has played a vital role in strengthening India's Internet infrastructure while enabling greater participation in global Internet governance discussions,' Krishnan said at the event.
Devesh Tyagi, CEO of NIXI, outlined the organisation's vision going forward: 'The internet's next phase in India will come down to three things: trust, innovation, and making sure people from every part of the country can take part.'
Global Governance Push
Samiran Gupta, Vice President for Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director for the Asia Pacific region at ICANN, also addressed the event, stressing the importance of India's participation in global internet governance and standards-setting bodies. He highlighted the NIXI Fellowship Program as a key pipeline for future leaders in the space.
'Initiatives such as the NIXI Fellowship Program are helping build a new generation of leaders who can contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of the Internet,' Gupta said.
NIXI by the Numbers
NIXI's current scale underscores its central role in India's digital backbone. The organisation manages over 39 lakh .IN domain names, operates 79 Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) across the country, and supports domain registrations in 22 Indian languages. IPv6 adoption, a key metric for next-generation internet readiness, has reached approximately 78.34% across India, according to the official statement.
The event also recognised organisations and stakeholders who have contributed to the growth of India's digital infrastructure. As NIXI enters its third decade, the focus on AI-driven security tools and expanded governance participation signals a clear shift toward a more resilient and inclusive internet architecture for the country.
Point of View
Not just a milestone — and that is worth noting. The launch of an AI-driven WHOIS screening tool signals that the government is moving from passive infrastructure management to active domain security enforcement, a shift with real implications for how .IN domains are policed. India's 78.34% IPv6 adoption rate is one of the highest globally, yet it rarely features in mainstream digital policy discourse. The NIXI Fellowship's emphasis on grooming internet governance leaders also suggests a longer-term play: building domestic expertise to hold ground in forums like ICANN, where India's voice has historically been thinner than its internet user base warrants.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NIXI and why is its 23rd anniversary significant?
The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a government-backed organisation that manages India's internet exchange infrastructure, .IN domain registry, and IPv6 adoption. Its 23rd anniversary was marked by the launch of four new digital initiatives, signalling a shift toward AI-driven security and expanded global governance engagement.
What are the four digital initiatives launched by NIXI?
The four initiatives are the IX Portal, myIRINN Portal, .IN Auction Portal, and an AI-Powered WHOIS Screening Platform. They are designed to improve user experience, transparency, and operational efficiency across India's internet ecosystem, with the WHOIS platform specifically targeting domain name security.
What does the AI-Powered WHOIS Screening Platform do?
The AI-Powered WHOIS Screening Platform enhances domain name security by strengthening detection of suspicious websites within India's .IN domain space. According to NIXI, it is intended to make the .IN registry more secure and trustworthy.
How large is NIXI's current digital footprint?
NIXI manages over 39 lakh .IN domain names, operates 79 Internet Exchange Points across India, supports domain registrations in 22 Indian languages, and has helped drive IPv6 adoption to approximately 78.34% nationally.
What role does ICANN play in this context?
ICANN Vice President Samiran Gupta attended the event and stressed the importance of India's participation in global internet governance. He specifically cited the NIXI Fellowship Program as a vehicle for building Indian leaders capable of shaping international internet policy.
