Every year since 2023, 28th March is annually observed worldwide as Universal Acceptance Day. The day is observed to promote a multilingual and inclusive internet where all valid domain names and email addresses work seamlessly. The Universal Acceptance Day is observed to ensure that valid domain names and email addresses, regardless of script, language, or character length, can be used equally by all Internet-enabled applications, devices, and systems.

Background to the Universal Acceptance Day

The Universal Acceptance Day was established by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) with the support of the Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG).

The first Universal Acceptance Day was observed on 28 March 2023, and since then, it has been celebrated every year.

Theme of the Universal Acceptance Day 2025 in India

The theme of the 2025 Universal Acceptance Day is Connecting the Unconnected - Building a Multilingual Internet for Viksit Bharat.

3rd Universal Acceptance Day 2025 Celebration in India

The 3rd Universal Acceptance Day 2025 celebration was held in New Delhi on 28th March 2025.

It was organised by the National Internet Exchange of India.

It was inaugurated by the Electronics and Information Technology Secretary, S Krishnan.

Speaking on the occasion S Krishnan said that languages shall not become a barrier in a multilingual country like India in the era of digital firsts and digital only.

He highlighted the government’s Bhashini initiative launched under the Digital India Programme.

Bhasini or the BHASHa INterface for India

Bhasini or the BHASHa INterface for India aims at democratizing access to digital content and services across India’s linguistic spectrum.

It is a software that enables seamless translation from one language to another and enables people to access services in the language of their choice.

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)

The ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is an international non-profit organisation that was established in 1998.

It manages the global domain name system (DNS).

It is responsible for providing Internet names and numbers, specifically website domain names and IP addresses.

It plays a key role in developing policies for the global coordination of domain names, so that IP addresses assigned to domain names are unique and accessible.

Its mandate is to provide global Internet users with a smooth, stable, and secure operation of domain names, Internet protocol identifiers, and root servers.