What is DIGIPIN?
In a groundbreaking move to transform how addresses are identified and used in India, India Post, in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and ISRO-NRSC, has launched a new digital addressing system called DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number).Unlike the traditional 6-digit PIN code system, which points to broad geographic areas, DIGIPIN offers ultra-precise digital locations by mapping each 4×4 meter grid in India with a unique 10-character alphanumeric code.
Why Was DIGIPIN Introduced?
India’s current postal system, though revolutionary in its time, struggles with:
Non-standard addresses in urban slums and rural areas
Ambiguity in large apartment complexes or remote villages
Difficulty in emergency service access
Inefficiencies in last-mile delivery for e-commerce platforms
DIGIPIN aims to solve all this by offering pinpoint precision in digital navigation and delivery.
How Does DIGIPIN Work?
DIGIPIN is based on geospatial technology. Here’s a simplified view of how it functions:
- 🌍 India is divided into millions of 4m x 4m squares using latitude and longitude.
- 📌 Each square is assigned a unique 10-character alphanumeric code.
- 📱 You can find your DIGIPIN by visiting India Post’s official portal and enabling location access or entering your coordinates.
Example: A DIGIPIN like D8C9F7B3X2 may represent your exact front door—not just your building or street.
Applications and Benefits
DIGIPIN is more than just a postal improvement—it’s a smart address identity system that enables:
1. Seamless Delivery Services
E-commerce platforms can deliver to exact doorsteps—even in unmarked or rural areas.
2. Faster Emergency Response
Ambulance, fire, and police can respond quickly without getting lost due to vague addresses.
3. Improved Urban Planning
Governments and civic bodies can use precise location data for planning roads, water lines, waste collection zones, etc.
4. Inclusive Digital Infrastructure
Even those without official property documents or street names can now own a verifiable address identity.
5. Privacy-Safe
No personal data is linked to DIGIPIN. It is location-based, not name-based.
How to Get Your DIGIPIN?
You can find your DIGIPIN easily:
Step-by-step:
- Visit: India Post DIGIPIN PORTAL https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/digipin.aspx
- Click on “Know Your DIGIPIN”
- Enable GPS or enter your latitude and longitude
- Your unique 10-character DIGIPIN will be shown
- Save or share it with service providers, banks, or e-commerce apps
How Is It Different from PIN Code?
| Feature | Traditional PIN Code | DIGIPIN |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 6-digit numeric (e.g., 700001) | 10-character alphanumeric (e.g., D8C9F7B3X2) |
| Coverage Area | Broad area (town/locality) | Exact 4m x 4m location |
| Accuracy | Low (general region) | High (precise coordinate) |
| Use Cases | Mail sorting and delivery | E-commerce, emergency services, navigation |
| Personalization | No | Yes – per house/building/location |
| Technology | Manual area coding | Geo-coordinates & mapping grid |
| Offline Support | Yes | Yes (with offline map tools) |
| Open Source Integration | No | Yes (via API & GitHub) |
Who Built DIGIPIN?
DIGIPIN was developed by:
India Post
IIT Hyderabad
ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
It uses open-source APIs, enabling tech startups and governments to integrate DIGIPIN into their platforms.
GitHub: CEPT-VZG/digipin
Is DIGIPIN Replacing the Old PIN Code?
Not yet.
DIGIPIN is being used alongside traditional PIN codes
It supplements them for greater accuracy, but full adoption across India will take time
The Future of DIGIPIN
India is one of the first countries in the world to implement a nationwide micro-addressing system. Future plans include:
Integration with eKYC and property verification
Linking with e-commerce and courier apps
Adding voice recognition features for illiterate users
Offline DIGIPIN access for areas without internet
DIGIPIN is more than a new address system—it’s a revolution in location identity.By giving every Indian citizen—from metro cities to Himalayan villages—an accurate, verifiable, and shareable digital address, DIGIPIN promises to be the backbone of Digital India’s next infrastructure leap.
