DIGIPIN
About
- The DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number) is a nationwide geo-coded addressing system developed by the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad.
- It divides India into approximately 4m x 4m grids and assigns each grid a unique 10-character alphanumeric code based on latitude and longitude coordinates.
- This system simplifies addressing for public and private services, improving logistics efficiency and emergency response capabilities.
How is DIGIPIN different from a regular postal address?
- While a regular postal address depends on locality, street, and house numbers, DIGIPIN is a geospatial reference using a 10-character alphanumeric code based on the exact coordinates of a location.
- So, while the usual six-digit India PIN code number covers an entire locality or neighborhood, DIGIPIN narrows down to the exact location.
Did you know?
- The six-digit Postal Index Number (PIN) Code system, introduced in 1972, has served as the backbone of India’s postal delivery.
- The idea was to give a unique identity to all physical addresses of the country in terms of the delivery jurisdiction of the post offices.
Advantages
- DIGIPIN is an additional digital addressing layer that complements existing systems for more precise location identification, especially in areas with unstructured or changing addresses.
- It also helps in areas where no clear address exists, such as rural regions, forests, and oceans.
- It is a cornerstone of the Department of Posts’ vision to offer Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) — an array of services associated with address data management to support secure and efficient interactions between users, government entities, and private sector organisations.
Is DIGIPIN applicable only within India?
- Yes, DIGIPIN is designed for the geographical boundaries of India, including maritime regions.
- DIGIPIN can be accessed by visiting https://dac.indiapost.gov.in/mydigipin/home