What is DIGIPIN? India's new digital address system explained
The Department of Posts has unveiled a novel digital addressing system called DIGIPIN. This new system, developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, is set to revolutionise how locations are identified across the country.WHAT IS DIGIPIN?DIGIPIN stands for Digital Postal Index Number. It's a unique 10-digit code that precisely indicates the location of a property, contrasting with traditional PIN codes that cover larger areas. This initiative aims to enhance service delivery, particularly in remote and underserved areas, by providing accurate geographic coordinates essential for various services.advertisementHOW DIGIPIN WORKSIndia has been divided into small square grids and every grid is given a unique code based on latitude and longitude. So your DIGIPIN is a digital address tied directly to your home's location on the map.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Communications dated May 27, 2025, DIGIPIN is an open-source, interoperable, geo-coded, grid-based digital address system. "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," mentioned the press release.WHY IS DIGIPIN USEFUL?This service aims to support secure and efficient interactions between users, government entities, and private sector organisations.By incorporating GIS capabilities, DIGIPIN lays the groundwork for future GIS-based digitalisation of service delivery, ensuring that accurate location data can be utilised across multiple sectors in a cost-effective manner.advertisementFurther, this method removes the confusion caused by similar-sounding addresses and improves accuracy for all kinds of services.Also, by offering precise geographic coordinates, DIGIPIN is likely to enhance logistics and emergency response services. This system ensures last-mile delivery and is particularly beneficial in rural and underserved areas.IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCESSIBILITYThe DIGIPIN system has been officially reviewed and adopted by the Thematic Working Group on Address under the National Geospatial Policy 2022. The system is now available for integration into the workflows of various ministries, state governments, and institutions.Users can access the 'Know Your DIGIPIN' platform at https://dac.indiapost.gov.in/mydigipin/home and get their 10-character digital address code.Additionally, the complete repository of DIGIPIN's technical documentation and source code is available on GitHub, promoting open collaboration and nationwide adoption.
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