Digital address IDs coming to India: What you need to know

India is set to launch a unique Digital ID for every address, a major step after Aadhaar and UPI. This will make it easier and faster to locate places, especially for government services and deliveries. Digital address IDs are coming to India. Here is what you need to know about unique address IDs in the works

The Big Idea: Digital address IDs coming to India

The government wants to bring addresses into India’s Digital Public Infrastructure. Currently, there’s no official way to manage address details, and companies often share personal address data without consent. This new system aims to secure your address information, requiring your clear permission before it’s shared.

A ‘Digital Address’ framework is being created with clear rules for writing and sharing addresses safely. It will allow digital platforms secure access to addresses, but only with your consent.

The Department of Posts is developing this system, with overseering from the Prime Minister’s Office. A draft plan will soon be open for public feedback, with a final version expected by year-end. A new law may even be passed to establish an authority to manage this digital address system.

Introducing DIGIPIN

A key part of this new system is DIGIPIN. The Department of Posts (India Post) is building a standardized, nationwide digital map of addresses called DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number). This will simplify deliveries for both public and private services and boost India’s geospatial capabilities, aligning with the National Geospatial Policy 2022.

New Tools Launched: Know Your DIGIPIN & Know Your PIN Code

India Post has launched two new digital platforms: ‘Know Your DIGIPIN’ and ‘Know Your PIN Code’. These tools are aimed at modernizing India’s addressing system.

‘Know Your DIGIPIN’ Portal

Developed with IIT Hyderabad and ISRO, DIGIPIN is an open-source, geo-coded, grid-based digital address system. It’s the foundation for “Address-as-a-Service,” helping secure interactions between users, government, and private organizations.

This portal allows you to:

Retrieve your DIGIPIN based on your precise location.
Convert coordinates to DIGIPINs, and vice versa.
This initiative improves location mapping, logistics, and emergency response, ensuring last-mile delivery, especially in rural areas.

DIGIPIN is now available for all government ministries, state governments, and institutions to integrate. It will enhance location accuracy across various sectors, providing precise geographic coordinates for efficient service delivery and faster emergency response. All technical details and source code are available on GitHub for open collaboration.

‘Know Your PIN Code’ Application

The familiar six-digit PIN Code system, introduced in 1972, has been updated. India Post has geo-referenced all PIN Code boundaries across the country. The new ‘Know Your PIN Code’ web application uses your location to:

Identify the correct PIN Code for your location.

Submit feedback on PIN Code accuracy for continuous improvement.
The geo-fenced PIN Code boundary data is also publicly available on the Open Government Data Platform.

A Unified Step Towards Digital India

Vandita Kaul, Secretary, Department of Posts, highlighted that these applications reflect the government’s commitment to digital transformation and precise governance. DIGIPIN, in particular, will ensure every citizen, even in remote areas, is digitally locatable and serviceable. This positions the Department of Posts as a crucial enabler of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure.

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