About .agakhan domain
.agakhan is a brand gTLD (generic Top-Level Domain) operated by the Fondation Aga Khan (Aga Khan Foundation), with Afilias serving as the backend registry provider. It was delegated to the DNS root zone in April 2016 as part of ICANN's New gTLD Program. The extension was established specifically to serve as a unified, exclusive namespace for the institutions and initiatives associated with the Aga Khan. Its purpose as a domain product is to function as a single-registrant, closed registry, meaning all registrations are controlled by the registry operator itself.
Who can register .agakhan domain
Registration is not open to the public. The TLD operates as a single-registrant, single-user registry. The only eligible registrant is the Fondation Aga Khan (Aga Khan Foundation) itself. Domain names are reserved for exclusive registration and use by the Foundation and its formally designated representatives, affiliates, and related organizations. There is no process for third parties or the general public to apply for or purchase a .agakhan domain.
How to register .agakhan domain
This TLD is not allocated through commercial registrars or a public registration process. The registry operator, Fondation Aga Khan, internally manages all delegations within the namespace. Domain names are allocated directly by the Foundation to its own institutions, projects, and authorized representatives as needed to fulfill its mission. The process is entirely controlled by the registry, with no external application or checkout flow available to unrelated parties.
Typical uses of .agakhan domain
The .agakhan extension is used exclusively by the institutions, programs, and initiatives that form the Aga Khan Development Network. This includes a wide range of entities such as the Aga Khan University, the Aga Khan Academies, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, and various cultural and humanitarian projects. These organizations choose the TLD to signify they are bonafide entities established with the express consent of His Highness the Aga Khan, providing a unified digital identity and assurance of origin to their global stakeholders across more than 25 countries.
Tips for registering .agakhan domain
- The registry operates as a single-registrant, closed model, meaning there is no public registration, renewal, or transfer process for external parties.
- All domains under .agakhan are reserved for use solely by the Fondation Aga Khan and its designated affiliates; there is no market for premium domain sales.
- Policies regarding registration, WHOIS, and content are set and enforced internally by the registry operator for its exclusive use.
Frequently asked questions about .agakhan domain
Who operates .agakhan domain?
The registry for .agakhan domains is Fondation Aga Khan, administered by Fondation Aga Khan (Aga Khan Foundation).
Who can register a .agakhan domain?
Only the Fondation Aga Khan (Aga Khan Foundation) and its formally authorized representatives, affiliates, and related organizations can hold a .agakhan domain name. There is no public eligibility criteria or verification process because the namespace is entirely closed. The registry operator internally determines which entities within its network receive a domain, based on its own operational needs and the requirement to link institutions under a unified identity.
Can I transfer a .agakhan domain between registrars?
Inter-registrar transfers do not apply to .agakhan domains, as they are not registered through commercial registrars. All domains are managed directly by the registry operator. If an affiliated organization's status changes or a domain needs to be reassigned within the network, such actions would be handled internally according to the Foundation's own policies, not through standard transfer protocols like the Auth-Code process used in open TLDs.
Can I buy a .agakhan domain name?
No, .agakhan domains are not available for purchase by the public or any third party. The TLD was established as a private, brand namespace solely for the use of the Fondation Aga Khan and its network. There is no registrar interface or sales channel through which external individuals or companies can acquire these domains. Any .agakhan domain you encounter online is owned and operated directly by an entity within the Aga Khan Development Network.
What dispute policies apply to .agakhan domains?
As a single-registrant, brand TLD, standard public dispute policies like the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) are not applicable. Any disputes regarding the use of a domain within the .agakhan namespace would be resolved internally by the registry operator, Fondation Aga Khan. The Foundation controls all registrations and has the sole authority to address any issues related to the allocation or use of domains under its exclusive TLD.
If I run a project affiliated with the Aga Khan Network, how do I get a domain?
Eligible projects or institutions must work through internal channels within the Aga Khan Development Network. The registry operator manages domain allocations based on its operational framework to ensure all users are bonafide entities established with its express consent. There is no public application form; requests are typically coordinated through the relevant administrative or IT bodies of the Foundation or its affiliated organizations.