National Internet Exchange of India

The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a not-for-profit organisation established to promote and enhance internet infrastructure within India by facilitating efficient domestic routing of internet traffic. Created to reduce dependence on international routing pathways and to improve speed, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of internet services, NIXI has grown into a central institution supporting India’s digital ecosystem. It plays a key role in strengthening internet governance, expanding digital access, and fostering indigenous internet infrastructure through multiple specialised initiatives.

Background and establishment

NIXI was founded in 2003 with the objective of ensuring that internet traffic originating and terminating within India remained routed domestically rather than travelling through international servers. Before its establishment, a significant portion of Indian internet traffic was exchanged via overseas exchange points, leading to higher latency, greater bandwidth costs, and increased dependence on foreign routes.
The organisation was established as a public–private collaborative effort supported by the Government of India. Its mandate has expanded over the years to encompass domain registration services, promotion of IPv6 adoption, and development of regional internet exchanges.

Structure and organisational mandate

NIXI functions as an independent, not-for-profit company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act. It is governed by a Board comprising representatives from government, industry, and technical communities.
Its mandate includes:

• managing national internet exchange points,
• administering the .IN country-code top-level domain (ccTLD),
• promoting IPv6 adoption,
• supporting India’s internet governance frameworks,
• facilitating regional and community-level connectivity.

By providing a neutral, decentralised exchange environment, NIXI supports competition and improves the performance of India’s internet infrastructure.

Internet exchange points (IXPs) and traffic routing

At the core of NIXI’s operations is its network of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), which allow Internet Service Providers (ISPs), content delivery networks (CDNs), academic networks, and other digital service providers to exchange domestic traffic efficiently.
Key benefits of NIXI’s exchange points include:

• reduced latency, as domestic data travels shorter routes,
• cost savings, since ISPs incur lower international bandwidth charges,
• improved network resilience, with domestic traffic remaining within national borders,
• enhanced user experience, especially for high-bandwidth applications such as video streaming and e-commerce.

NIXI’s growing network of exchanges helps distribute internet traffic regionally, supporting digital penetration in smaller cities and remote areas.

.IN Registry and domain management

One of NIXI’s major responsibilities is managing the .IN country-code top-level domain for India. The .IN Registry promotes the use of Indian digital identity by offering domain names at affordable prices and supporting both individuals and organisations seeking a national web presence.
Functions of the .IN Registry include:

• accreditation of domain registrars,
• maintenance of secure and stable DNS operations,
• promotion of regional language domain names using Indian scripts,
• management of second-level domains such as .co.in, .org.in, .net.in, and others.

By encouraging adoption of .IN domains, NIXI strengthens India’s digital sovereignty and enhances local content creation.

Promotion of IPv6

NIXI also spearheads India’s transition from IPv4 to IPv6 through its dedicated IPv6 Promotion Council. The move to IPv6 is essential due to limitations in IPv4 address availability and the growing number of internet-connected devices.
Key IPv6 initiatives include:

• awareness and training programmes for stakeholders,
• support for government departments and ISPs in adopting IPv6-ready systems,
• implementation guidelines for hardware compatibility,
• industry collaborations to promote nationwide IPv6 compliance.

These efforts help ensure long-term scalability and technological readiness of India’s internet ecosystem.

Role in improving digital infrastructure

NIXI’s contributions to digital infrastructure extend beyond traffic exchange and domain management. It supports:

• local internet ecosystems, by connecting educational networks, start-ups, and digital service providers,
• e-governance, through secure and reliable domain services for government websites,
• data localisation, ensuring that domestic digital traffic remains routed within India,
• regional empowerment, by establishing IXPs in underserved regions to improve connectivity.

Such interventions align with national initiatives promoting Digital India, broadband expansion, and inclusive digital growth.

Challenges and developmental needs

Despite its important role, NIXI faces several challenges in expanding and optimising India’s internet infrastructure.
Key limitations include:

• unequal participation of ISPs in smaller exchange points,
• need for stronger regional outreach and awareness,
• growing bandwidth demands requiring continuous capacity upgrades,
• coordination challenges among multiple stakeholders,
• competition from private content delivery networks.

Addressing these issues requires sustained investment, regulatory support, and broader industry participation.

Significance for India’s digital future

The National Internet Exchange of India occupies a pivotal position in shaping India’s digital future. Its work supports:

• faster and more reliable internet services,
• reduced dependence on international gateways,
• strengthened national digital identity through the .IN domain,
• improved cybersecurity through controlled routing pathways,
• growth of indigenous digital platforms and local content.