When it comes to the delivery person and the location in India, it can turn into a cat and mouse game. The lanes here become labyrinthian with obscure landmarks that may or may not exist. If you live in a remote area, receiving a parcel often feels like a comedic relay of missed turns, vague directions, and over-the-phone improvisations which I can't imagine must be fun for the guy bringing our our package. But that familiar chaos may soon become a thing of the past.
India Post has just announced a new digital addressing system called DIGIPIN that could revolutionise how we locate ourselves and our parcels. Short for Digital Postal Index Number, DIGIPIN is a next-generation addressing system that brings pinpoint accuracy to locations across the country. Think of it as an upgrade to our old six-digit PIN codes—only this time, it’s powered by satellites, algorithms, and a whole lot of digital intelligence.
Developed by the Department of Posts in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre, DIGIPIN assigns a unique 10-character alphanumeric code to a location point as specific as every 4x4 metre square on the Indian landmass with its own distinct digital identity.
Essentially, DIGIPIN is part of a broader effort to build Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for India. Under the National Geospatial Policy 2022, this initiative will lay the foundation for smarter governance, seamless public service delivery, emergency response systems, and even commercial logistics.
Unlike traditional PIN codes, which often generalise locations within broad zones, DIGIPIN offers 'geo-coded precision' by relying on satellite data. It’s open-source, privacy-centric (no personal information is stored), and applicable nationwide covering urban high-rises, remote villages, and even coastal waters.
To make this system accessible, the Department of Posts has also launched two companion tools: ‘Know Your Digipin’ and ‘Know Your PIN Code’, helping individuals and organisations locate and use these codes with ease.
In India, where similar-sounding addresses and unmarked lanes are all too common, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, DIGIPIN introduces a much-needed structure, one that relies on universally accessible, location-based precision. It offers an efficient and inclusive way to navigate not just streets, but the future of how services, people, and systems interact.
Get your own DIGIPIN here.
If you enjoyed reading this here's more from Homegrown:
Here's Everything You Need To Know About India’s New RFID-Enabled E-Passport
Pink Auto Scheme: A Women’s Rickshaw Initiative Is Aiming To Transform Tamil Nadu
The New Delhi Government Is Taking An Innovative Approach To Classroom Infrastructure