In a move aimed at making digital governance more inclusive and accessible, the Government of India has begun rolling out Hindi domain names for several of its official websites. This development is part of a broader initiative to bridge the digital divide by catering to the large segment of the population that is more comfortable using Indian languages, especially Hindi.

🌐 A Language-Friendly Internet

Traditionally, Indian government websites have used domain names in English with extensions like .gov.in. Now, these same portals are becoming accessible through Hindi domain names using the extension “.भारत”. For instance, the Ministry of Home Affairs can now be accessed through गृहमंत्रालय.सरकार.भारत, offering a more intuitive experience for Hindi-speaking users.

This change is made possible through the use of Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs), which allow domain names in regional scripts such as Devanagari. India is among the early adopters of IDNs, having introduced them in multiple regional scripts including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, and Bengali.

🛠️ Who’s Behind It?

The implementation of Hindi web addresses is being coordinated by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), which oversees domain registration through its INRegistry division. The National Informatics Centre (NIC), responsible for hosting and maintaining many government websites, is also playing a crucial role in integrating these new domains.

Officials involved in the project see this as a natural progression in India’s digital governance roadmap. According to sources, the aim is not just to translate websites, but to create a more native-language-first experience, starting from the very URL.

📈 Why It Matters

India is home to over 600 million internet users, many of whom prefer content in local languages. Studies have consistently shown that language remains a significant barrier to digital adoption, especially in rural areas. By making websites accessible via Hindi domains, the government hopes to:

• Improve discoverability of services for non-English speakers

• Enhance trust and ease of use among citizens unfamiliar with English

• Support the larger goals of the Digital India initiative

This initiative aligns with the government’s push toward “Bhasha Bharat”, a vision that emphasizes digital inclusivity across India's linguistic diversity.

🧭 What’s Next?

Officials suggest that this is just the beginning. Over the coming months, more ministries and departments are expected to activate their Hindi domains. Plans are also underway to expand support to other Indian languages such as Marathi, Bengali, and Punjabi.

Meanwhile, efforts are being made to ensure that the websites maintain full functionality, regardless of whether a user accesses them via the English or Hindi address. Redirects are being set up, and search engine optimization strategies are being adjusted to accommodate the new domains.

📌 Final Thoughts

The launch of Hindi web addresses for government portals is more than a technical update—it’s a symbolic shift toward a more inclusive internet in India. By embracing the linguistic diversity of the nation at the digital level, the government is not only increasing access to services but also reinforcing the cultural fabric of the digital world.

Whether you're a student, farmer, small business owner, or senior citizen, navigating government services in your own language could soon become the new normal.