Say Goodbye to Lost Addresses: India’s New DIGIPIN Makes Every Location Count

In a major step towards improving how addresses work in India, the Department of Posts has launched a new system called DIGIPIN — short for Digital Postal Index Number. Developed in partnership with IIT Hyderabad and ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre, DIGIPIN gives every small piece of land in India a unique digital address.

Unlike the traditional six-digit PIN code used for postal services, which covers large areas, DIGIPIN is much more accurate. Each DIGIPIN is a 10-character alphanumeric code that points to a specific 4 metre by 4 metre location on the map. This means your house, shop, or even a roadside stall can now have its own digital address.

How DIGIPIN Works

India has been divided into millions of small grid squares. Each of these grids is given a unique code based on its exact location (latitude and longitude). This code becomes your DIGIPIN. It's like giving every small patch of land its own name.

Why DIGIPIN is Important

This new system is expected to make a big difference in many ways:

• Better Deliveries: Online shopping, postal services, and food delivery can find you faster and more accurately.

• Emergency Help: Ambulances, police, and fire services can reach the exact spot without confusion.

• Support for Remote Areas: People living in villages or informal areas with no clear addresses can now be easily located.

• Boost to Digital India: As more services go online, a digital address will help everyone stay connected.

Will It Replace PIN Codes?

Not for now. DIGIPIN will work alongside existing PIN codes, adding an extra layer of accuracy. Your old address still works, but DIGIPIN adds precision — like giving a house number to a place that never had one.

A Step Towards the Future

DIGIPIN fits into India’s larger plan for digital growth under the National Geospatial Policy 2022. With time, this system could help in areas like banking, healthcare, delivery, and even disaster response.

In simple words, DIGIPIN is like giving every tiny part of India a clear, exact address — a digital identity that anyone, anywhere can use.