Forget Pincode! Use India Post’s Digipin To Simplify Confusing Address; But How Does It Work? Know Here

DIGIPIN Launch: India Post has launched a new digital address system which provides a better alternative to conventional 6-digit pincode system, a crucial metric for the identification of a location in India. The newly launched system will let users to share a 10-character alphanumeric code based on the exact coordinates of a location.

India Post's DIGIPIN: What Is DIGIPIN?

India Post's DIGIPIN provides an alternative to postal pincode, which is a six-digit numerical code used by India Post to identify specific areas and post offices within India. Digipin is an open source nationwide geo-coded addressing system which is the result of collaboration between the Department of Posts, IIT Hyderabad. NRSC, and ISRO.

How Does India Post's Digipin Work?

According to India Post's official website, Digipin works by dividing India's geographical land area into 4mx4m grids and assigns each grid a unique 10-character alphanumeric code. These grids have a unique 10-character alphanumeric code based on latitude and longitude coordinates.

How Is Digipin Different From Your Regular Postal Address, And Pincode?

While a regular postal address may have a reference to a nearby school, shopping complex, hospital, etc as landmark, Digipin depends on exact coordinates of location. A regular postal address includes locality, street, and house numbers. Whereas, Digipin is a 10-character alphanumeric code based on the exact coordinates of location.
Pincode is a 6-digit code which identifies, a broader area like locality or neighbourhood. In contrast, Digipin is a 10-digit alphanumeric code, which is more accurate, as it provides specific 4mx4m location.

How To Use Digipin?

People would require a device with GNSS facility to find their exact location with accurate latitude and longitude. These coordinates can then be converted into Digipin code. A web application to fetch corresponding DIgipin for a location is under progress and yet to become active.

Will Digipin Replace Pincode In Future?

India Post has made it clear that Digipin will not replace Pincode, but instead add an extra layer of information to help people identify a location or address. It is a standardised location identification which expands into more sectors and is integrate with more GIS Systems. Using a DIGIPIN for address sharing would eliminate the requirement of sharing a descriptive postal address to service agencies.

One of the key benefits of Digipin is to provide a precise location which will reduce the scope of any confusion and allow people to reach o a shared address in lesser time without any confusion. This metric would be significantly beneficial for quicker identification of a location at the time of emergency, especially in a disaster-prone or remote area.

Digipin is applicable only for the geographical boundary of India, including its maritime regions. According to India Post's official website, Digipin "is applicable only in the bounding box as mentioned below: Longitude 63.5 - 99.5 degrees east; Latitude 2.5 - 38.5 degrees north, which mainly covers the geographical boundaries of India, including maritime regions."