The top-level domain (SHIKSHA) is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) in the Domain Name System of the Internet, managed by Afilias. The term “shiksha” has Sanskrit roots and it translates to “education,” “learning,” “teaching,” and “training” in English. It was introduced to cater to the educational sector, the primary audience being educational institutions, teachers, and other entities related to education in India.
As stated by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)- an American multinational company that manages and coordinates the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces and numerical spaces of the Internet, thereby ensuring the network’s stable and secure operation- gTLDs can provide a platform for businesses, individuals, and communities to create an online identity that suits their purposes and needs.
The .SHIKSHA domain facilitates an exclusive online space for the education industry in India, and it’s designed to make it easier for students in India to find relevant and localized educational information. Indian universities, colleges, schools, teachers, and tutors could potentially use this domain to connect with students and provide them with necessary educational resources.
An example of the use of this domain can be seen with www.msbshiksha.com. This website is the online platform for Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. They use the domain to provide information on their programs, updates about examinations, and other educational content.
Another example is www.nitttrchd.shiksha. NITTTR Chandigarh (National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research), an institution under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, uses this domain to connect with technical teachers and provide them with quality training.
The .SHIKSHA TLD therefore provides a unique and industry-specific option for those in the education sector to establish a distinct online presence. This form of specific TLD is a part of an initiative by ICANN to open up the current domain name space to accommodate new gTLDs, allowing for more customization and specificity.
The information provided above was compiled from several sources, including ICANN’s guide on new gTLDs, Afilias’ official website, and dedicated pages of institutions such as Maharashtra State Board and NITTTR Chandigarh that make use of the .SHIKSHA domain.
References:
1. ICANN’s guide on new gTLDs: https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/
2. Afilias, the global leader of Internet domain registry services: https://www.afilias.info/
3. Maharashtra State Board: http://www.msbshiksha.com/
4. NITTTR Chandigarh: http://www.nitttrchd.shiksha/
