š®š³ What is DIGIPIN?
DIGIPIN, short for Digital Postal Index Number, is a new 10-character alphanumeric code that marks a precise location on the mapāpointing to approximately a 4āÆm ĆāÆ4āÆm gridāunlike traditional PIN codes that cover broader areas.
Created by the Department of Posts in partnership with IIT Hyderabad and ISROās National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), itās part of the national Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative.
How DIGIPIN Works?
1. Geo-grid mapping: Indiaās territory is divided into a matrix of 4m grids.
2. Alphanumeric assignment: Each grid is assigned a unique 10-character code derived from its latitude and longitude.
3. Openāsource & interoperable: The program code is on GitHub; the system is designed for public use and integration.
Why DIGIPIN Matters?
- Pinpoint precision: Ideal for deliveries, rideāhailing, and logistics with accuracy down to your doorstep.
- Boost to emergency services: Helps ambulances, police, fire brigades find exact locations fast.
- Inclusivity in addressing: A lifesaver in rural or informal settlements with no formal street addresses.
- Governance & public services: Improves ration distribution, pensions, municipal planning, disease mapping and public infrastructure .
- Data privacy centric: The system encodes only coordinates, not personal details.
How to Get Your DIGIPIN
1. Visit āKnow Your DIGIPINā portal (dac.indiapost.gov.in/mydigipin).
2. Use a GNSSāenabled device (e.g., smartphone) to capture exact latitude and longitude .
3. The portal generates your 10ācharacter DIGIPIN instantly.
4. You can also generate it offline using public code or future mobile apps.
Integration & Outlook
DIGIPIN is envisioned as āAddress as a Serviceā (AaaS)āa reusable digital address layer for:
- Eācommerce platforms (Amazon, Flipkart)
- Rideāhail apps, logistics management
- Emergency response systems
- Government schemes and GIS-based planning
It doesnāt replace traditional addresses but enhances them digitally, enabling programmable geographyāsimilar to Aadhaarās role for identity systems.
Whatās Next?
- Feedback-driven improvements are underway to improve GNSS accuracy and grid mapping.
- Deeper integration is expected across public and private platformsāfintech, insurance, utilities, property digitization, EV network planning, etc.
- Ongoing updates to PIN Code boundaries via GNSS are also being rolled out via the āKnow Your PIN Codeā portal.
š In Summary
DIGIPIN is a game-changer in Indiaās addressing ecosystem:
a precise, openāsource, and privacy-conscious digital grid system that:
- Adds a granular overlay to traditional addresses,
- Enhances last-mile delivery, public service efficiency, and emergency response,
- Builds a foundation for next-gen locationābased services and smart governance.
India is now equipped with a programmable geographyāready to drive innovation and improve citizen services nationwide.
