VPN software protects your information by hiding your device's IP address encrypting your data and sending it through secure networks to servers in other states or countries. Doing this hides your online identity ensuring you can browse the Internet safely and without being tracked. This is why it got a lot of attention from users around India and other parts of the world. 

But the news recently came that VPNs are being banned in India. For security reasons the Parliamentary Standing Committee has asked the Indian government to ban VPN services from India. Here's a look at the brainstorming decision and the response of VPN providers in detail!

Things to know about India's VPN Banning

1. As per Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT); VPN services and the Dark Web are technical issues that may affect cyber security allowing hackers to remain anonymous online.
2. The fact that VPN is simple to install and that many websites provide it for free appears to be a concern.
3. The committee also suggested that the Ministry of Home Affairs collaborate with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) to identify and permanently disable these VPNs with the assistance of ISPs (ISP).
4. According to the reports the CERT has been urged to make efforts to increase tracking and surveillance so that VPNs and the dark web are not overused.

 Computer Emergency Response Team is Stringent About it

The Indian government conducted a press conference to distribute a document called Frequently Asked Queries (FAQs) that answered questions regarding the new logging legislation about banning VPNs. The administration also tightened the law during that meeting.

Key Takeaways

1. Rajeev Chandrasekhar Electronics and information technology Minister reminded service providers that India is "not a suitable location to do business" if they don't retain logs.
2. "If you don't have logs start maintaining logs" he said. Suppose you're a VPN looking to hide and remain anonymous about individuals who use VPNs to conduct business in India and don't want to apply or obey these guidelines. In that scenario the only option is to leave. You must depart."
3. We will update our post on the best VPN for India after the law goes into force and we will observe how VPN businesses cope with it.

What do New VPN Rules say?

This is exactly what the rules say: Virtual Private Server (VPS) providers shall be required to register the following accurate information which must be maintained by them for 5 years or longer as required by law after any cancellation or withdrawal of the registration as the case may be:

1. Confirmed names of customers who have hired the services
2. Length of time hired with dates
3. IPs that have been given to or are being used by members
4. The time stamp email address and IP address used at the time of
5. Registration / Getting Started
6. Why you want to hire services
7. Verifiable address and phone number
8. Who owns the subscribers or people who hire services

How do Leading VPNs Providers comply with logging legislation?

The CERT-in standard requires all VPN service providers to keep customer data for five years.

Following ExpressVPN and SurfShark Panama-based NordVPN stated on Tuesday that it will relocate its servers from India on June 26th following the government's request that all VPN service providers preserve customer data for five years.

When contacted a NordVPN spokeswoman stated "NordVPN has decided to withdraw all of its servers from India." On June 26 2022 the servers will be decommissioned."

But some VPN service providers made a mind change and agreed to the same by offering the complete information to the computer emergency response team. 

Which VPN services are secured in India?

Overall Express VPN and Proton VPN are the most secure VPN for India. This best-in-class VPN service's servers are masked so the Indian authorities cannot discover that you are using a VPN. You also get a kill switch and DNS leak prevention to ensure your internet traffic does not leak. They are less expensive and have a lot of security features. Keep reading to learn about both in detail!

ExpressVPN

If you want to feel safe when using public wifi ExpressVPN is the finest VPN to use. It permits torrenting on all of its Indian and worldwide servers removing the guesswork from selecting the best server.

Security Features of ExpressVPN

1. Maximum security. 
2. Highest military-grade encryption 
3. RAM-powered servers 
4. Rigorous no-logs policy
5. Consistent in accessing geo-restricted content 
6. Extremely useful while torrenting gaming

ProtonVPN

Unlike other free VPNs which severely restrict data use ProtonVPN provides unlimited data and bandwidth even in its free edition. This makes it an excellent choice if you want to avoid content-based ISP throttling which occurs when your internet provider (like Jio and BSNL) limits your bandwidth based on your activities.

1. Private and secure features 
2. Low cost
3. Does not scrimp on security. 
4. Automated kill switch
5. AES 256-bit encryption
6. Tunneling in two halves. 

Will VPNs be Banned in India Completely?

No not yet at least. The new policy applies to approved VPN service providers like hide.me Hotspot Shield ProtonVPN CyberGhost and ExpressVPN have servers in India. Because the directive is so intrusive VPN companies with servers in India are even thinking about shutting down their servers there. That doesn't mean you can't use the service though. You can probably still connect to servers in other countries run by the same VPN provider. It's still not clear yet whether the Computer Emergency Response Team will also crack down on this route in the future or not.

Also privacy-focused VPNs are built with a no-logs policy and use RAM-only servers making it technically impossible to collect logs. To work in the country and follow the new directive they will have to rethink their infrastructure which will risk users' privacy. 

Last Thoughts 

India's computer emergency response team has established a new law requiring virtual private networks to gather client information. The regulation is going to be challenging to implement because the majority of the top VPN providers employ servers with just RAM. It's hardly unexpected that VPN companies are waiting and seeing. 

Meanwhile NordVPN and IpVanish remain the best VPN to use in India due to their excellent security features and the ability to connect to a virtual server. It would help if you appreciated how these two leading VPN providers responded to the new logging law. So without any thought you can use them.