.np

Country-code top-level domains

Overview

.np is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Nepal. It is administered by Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd. Registrations are made at the third level beneath various second-level domains (for example, example.com.np or example.org.np).

History

Introduced / implemented: 25 January 1995.
Registry and sponsor: Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd.
Administration split: general .np domains are administered by Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd.; .gov.np domains are managed and registered through the Integrated Data Management Center (also known as the National Information Technology Center).
Note from sources: ICANNWiki reported that the official registry website was not loading as of October 2024.

Usage and Audience

Intended use: Entities connected with Nepal (individuals, organizations, businesses, government and other institutions).
Common audiences:
- Nepalese individuals who want personal name domains (under .name.np).
- Nepalese companies and commercial entities (.com.np).
- Educational institutions (.edu.np).
- Non-profits (.org.np).
- Government agencies (.gov.np).
- Networks and portal sites (.net.np).
- Cooperatives (.coop.np).
- Information sites (.info.np).

Registration Rules

Cost: Domain registrations under .np are free of cost according to the registry policy.
Eligibility / Local presence:
- Local presence required. Registrants must be connected with Nepal.
- Individuals: typically must provide a photocopy of Nepalese Citizenship Certificate (or government ID matching the name).
- Foreign nationals: may register with a Non-Resident-Nepalese (NRN) ID Card or a Nepalese resident visa.
- Organizations: must provide a copy of Company Registration Certificate.
- Foreign companies: required to have an official presence in Nepal (e.g., joint venture, partnership, agent, or licensee) to qualify.
Required documentation and process:
- Completed registration application form and a formal cover letter addressing purpose and use of the domain.
- Proof of identity or company registration, and, when applicable, a Letter of Authorization if a third party handles registration.
- Domain Name Server (DNS) information: primary and secondary name servers if pointing to hosting.
- Multiple domain name preferences may be requested in case the first choice is unavailable.
- Review/approval: the registry reviews submitted documents; approval typically takes a working day to a few days.
Name eligibility and syntax:
- Registered domain name must be an exact match, abbreviation, or acronym of the registrant's name or trademark, or otherwise closely and substantially connected to the registrant.
- Minimum length: at least three characters.
- Allowed characters: alphanumeric characters and hyphens. Hyphens are not permitted as the first or last character.
- Names containing offensive, generic, or inflammatory words will not be registered.
Structure:
- Registrations are made only at the third level beneath designated second-level domains (no direct registrations under .np).
- Common second-level domains and intended uses:
  - .com.np — Commercial; open for persons or entities.
  - .coop.np — Cooperatives.
  - .edu.np — Educational institutions (schools, colleges, universities).
  - .gov.np — Nepalese government and governmental entities (managed via IDMC/NITC).
  - .info.np — Information; open.
  - .mil.np — Nepalese military.
  - .name.np — Individuals by name; open but may be challenged if not held by individuals or rightful owners of fictional characters.
  - .net.np — Networks or portal/umbrella sites.
  - .org.np — Non-profit organisations.

Notable Cases or Examples

(No specific notable domain cases or famous uses were provided in the source material.)

Operator

Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.

Whois

% IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object

domain:       NP

organisation: Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.
address:      Hitti Pokhari, DurbarMarg, Kathmandu
address:      P.O.Box 876
address:      Kathmandu Bagmati
address:      Nepal

contact:      administrative
name:         Sanjib Raj Bhandari
organisation: Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.
address:      Hitti Pokhari, DurbarMarg, Kathmandu
address:      P.O.Box 876
address:      Kathmandu Bagmati
address:      Nepal
phone:        +977 1 4445920
fax-no:       +977 1 4439360
e-mail:       sanjib@mos.com.np

contact:      technical
name:         Gyanendra Kumar Mishra
organisation: Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.
address:      Hitti Pokhari, DurbarMarg, Kathmandu
address:      P.O.Box 876
address:      Kathmandu Bagmati
address:      Nepal
phone:        +977 1 4445920
fax-no:       +977 1 4439360
e-mail:       gyanu@mercantile.com.np

nserver:      NP-NS.NPIX.NET.NP 198.32.126.50
nserver:      NP.CCTLD.AUTHDNS.RIPE.NET 193.0.9.102 2a13:27c0:30:0:0:0:0:102
nserver:      NS4.APNIC.NET 2001:dd8:12:0:0:0:0:53 202.12.31.53
nserver:      PCH.NNIC.NP 2001:500:14:6011:ad:0:0:1 204.61.216.11
nserver:      SHIKHAR.MOS.COM.NP 27.111.31.5

whois:        

status:       ACTIVE
remarks:      Registration information: http://www.mos.com.np

created:      1995-01-25
changed:      2025-07-14
source:       IANA

Registrars

Gandi