.IN domains, managed by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), follow specific expiration policies that differ from generic TLDs like .COM. Understanding these timelines is crucial for Indian domain owners and those looking to catch expired .IN domains.
.IN Domain Expiration Timeline
| Phase | Duration | Status | Recovery Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Renew Grace | 30-36 days | May function | ₹500-800 (renewal only) |
| Redemption | 30-40 days | Completely down | ₹2,500-₹4,800 total |
| Pending Delete | 5 days | Locked | Cannot recover |
| Available | After drop | Open to public | Standard registration |
Total Timeline: 75-80 days from expiration to public availability.
For complete understanding of domain expiration across all TLDs, see our comprehensive guide to domain expiration and deletion.
Auto-Renew Grace Period (30-36 Days)
.IN domains automatically renew if auto-renewal is enabled with a valid payment method. If renewal fails or is disabled, domains enter a grace period where they may continue functioning.
During Grace Period:
- Domain may remain live or show parking page
- Email services may continue or stop
- Renewal at standard price (₹500 for .IN, ₹400 for .co.in/.net.in/.org.in)
- No additional restoration fees
- Transfers typically blocked
Best Action: Renew immediately—this is the cheapest recovery window.
Redemption Period (30-40 Days)
If not renewed during grace, .IN domains enter redemption—your last chance before permanent loss.
Redemption Status:
- Domain completely non-functional
- Website shows errors
- All email services suspended
- DNS records inactive
Redemption Cost Breakdown
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Registry RGP Fee | ₹1,000 |
| Registrar Markup | ₹1,000-₹3,000 |
| Renewal Fee | ₹500-₹800 |
| Total | ₹2,500-₹4,800 |
Processing Time: 24-72 hours after payment
Process: Contact your registrar, pay restoration + renewal fees, wait for registry processing.
Pending Delete & Drop (5 Days)
After redemption expires, .IN domains enter a 5-day pending delete phase where recovery is impossible.
Key Difference from .COM: Unlike .COM domains that drop around 2:00 PM UTC daily, .IN domains have no consistent drop time. They can drop at any hour during the 5-day window, making them harder to catch.
Drop Strategy:
- Monitor WHOIS daily during pending delete
- Check availability multiple times throughout the day
- Use drop-catching services familiar with .IN TLD
- Be prepared for drops at unpredictable times
.IN vs .COM: Key Differences
| Aspect | .IN Domains | .COM Domains |
|---|---|---|
| Grace Period | 30-36 days | 30-45 days |
| Redemption | 30-40 days | 30 days |
| RGP Fee | ₹1,000+ | $100-200+ |
| Drop Time | Unpredictable | ~2:00 PM UTC |
| Registry | NIXI | Verisign |
Recovery Strategy by Phase
Days 1-36 (Grace Period)
✓ Renew immediately at standard price
✓ No additional fees
✓ Quickest recovery
✓ Cost: ₹500-800
Days 37-75 (Redemption)
✓ Contact registrar urgently
✓ Pay ₹2,500-₹4,800 restoration cost
✓ Wait 24-72 hours for processing
✓ Last chance to recover
Days 76-80 (Pending Delete)
✗ Cannot recover domain
✓ Prepare to re-register after drop
✓ Monitor WHOIS multiple times daily
✓ Consider drop-catching services
Best Practices for .IN Domain Owners
Prevention:
- Enable auto-renewal at your registrar
- Maintain valid payment methods
- Set calendar reminders 60 days before expiration
- Verify auto-renew status quarterly
- Use multiple notification emails
If Domain Expires:
- Act within grace period to save money
- Budget ₹2,500-₹4,800 for redemption if needed
- Don’t wait—grace period may be shorter than expected
- Contact registrar immediately if past grace
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming same timeline as .COM domains
- Not verifying auto-renew is actually enabled
- Waiting until last day of grace period
- Expecting consistent drop time like .COM
- Forgetting to budget for redemption costs
- Ignoring registrar-specific grace period lengths
Wholesale Pricing Reference
NIXI charges registrars:
- .IN registration/renewal: ₹500/year
- .CO.IN/.NET.IN/.ORG.IN: ₹400/year
- RGP restore fee: ₹1,000
Registrars add 50-200% markup for retail customers.
Monitoring Your .IN Domains
Free Tools:
- WHOIS lookup at registry.in
- Registrar account dashboard
- Domain expiration trackers
What to Monitor:
- Expiration dates
- Auto-renew status
- Payment method validity
- Domain status changes
Key Takeaways
Timeline: 75-80 days from expiration to drop (30-36 grace + 30-40 redemption + 5 pending delete)
Auto-Renew: Enable with valid payment method—standard practice for .IN domains
Grace Period: Cheapest recovery at ₹500-800 renewal cost only
Redemption: Expensive at ₹2,500-₹4,800 but your last chance
Drop Time: Unpredictable unlike .COM—no consistent schedule
Best Strategy: Prevention through auto-renewal and advance reminders beats expensive recovery
For complete details on grace periods, redemption processes, and drop times across all domain extensions, read our full guide to domain expiration and deletion.
Registry: NIXI | Updated: October 2025
