DIGIPIN
The Department of Posts has undertaken an initiative to establish a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for a standardized, geo-coded addressing system in India. As a part of this initiative, The Department has finalised DIGIPIN – the foundation layer of the DPI. This initiative seeks to provide simplified addressing solutions for seamless delivery of public and private services and to enable “Address as a Service” (AaaS) across the country. DIGIPIN is an open-source national level addressing grid developed by Department of Posts in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and NRSC, ISRO and is a key component of the digital address ecosystem. The advent of DIGIPIN will mark a revolutionary step in India's journey towards digital transformation by bridging the crucial gap between physical locations and their digital representation.
A technical document detailing the code and architecture of DIGIPIN grid may be downloaded here:
Technical Document
Beta version of the
web application to capture the DIGIPIN value of your location is available at:
digipin.cept.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) on DIGIPIN
What is DIGIPIN?
DIGIPIN is an open source nationwide geo-coded addressing system developed by the Department of Posts in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and NRSC, ISRO. It divides India into approx. 4m x 4m grids and assigns each grid a unique 10-character alphanumeric code based on latitude and longitude coordinates.
How is DIGIPIN different from a regular postal address?
While a regular postal address depends on locality, street, and house numbers, DIGIPIN is a geospatial reference using a 10-character alphanumeric code based on the exact coordinates of a location.
Why do we need DIGIPIN when we already have postal addresses?
DIGIPIN simplifies address management by providing precise location-based identification, especially in areas with unstructured or changing addresses. It also helps in areas where no clear address exists, such as rural regions, forests, and oceans.
Is DIGIPIN available offline?
Yes, DIGIPIN is designed to be used offline too. Department of Posts have shared the programming code for DIGIPIN logic in public domain for fetching and decoding the DIGIPIN.
Can DIGIPIN be used for navigation?
Yes, DIGIPIN codes can be integrated into navigation systems and apps, allowing for precise location access.
Will my postal address change if I use DIGIPIN?
No, your postal address remains the same. DIGIPIN is an additional layer of digital addressing that complements the existing system for more precise and standardized location identification. But as the DIGIPIN ecosystem expand into more sectors and is integrated with more GIS systems, the need for providing a descriptive postal address to service agencies for availing any service may reduce.
How is a DIGIPIN generated for a specific location?
DIGIPIN is derived from the latitude and longitude of a location, encoded into a 10-character alphanumeric format using predefined symbols.
Is my personal address data stored in DIGIPIN?
No, DIGIPIN does not store any private or personal data. It only provides an alphanumeric code based on geographic coordinates, ensuring privacy.
Can DIGIPIN be used for rural or remote areas?
Yes, DIGIPIN works for all areas, including rural, remote, and urban regions. Even places without a traditional address, like forests or water bodies, are covered.
How precise is the DIGIPIN system?
Each DIGIPIN code represents an approx. 4m x 4m square, which ensures a high level of precision, making it ideal for navigation, deliveries, and emergency services. However, the accuracy of DIGIPIN created for any location might depend upon the accuracy of the GNSS location capture device you are using.
What is the difference between pincode and DIGIPIN?
A postal pincode identifies a broader area, such as a locality or neighborhood, whereas a DIGIPIN identifies a specific approx. 4m x 4m location, providing much more precision.
Is DIGIPIN applicable only within India?
DIGIPIN is applicable only in the bounding box as mentioned below: Longitude 63.5 - 99 degrees east; Latitude 1.5 - 39 degrees north, which mainly covers the geographical boundaries of India, including maritime regions.
What is the benefit of DIGIPIN in emergency situations?
DIGIPIN provides a precise location that can help emergency services reach the exact spot more quickly, especially in disaster-prone or remote areas.
How do I find my DIGIPIN?
You will need a device with GNSS facility to find your exact location (latitude and longitude), which can then be converted into a DIGIPIN code. Department of Post is in the process of developing a web application which enable public to fetch the corresponding DIGIPIN of their location. Department of Posts have also planned to share the programming code for DIGIPIN logic in public domain for fetching and decoding the DIGIPIN.
Do I have to login or signup for finding DIGIPIN?
No, You don’t have to login or signup for fetching the DIGIPIN of your location. You might have to provide location access in the device to fetch the DIGIPIN value of your location.
How does DIGIPIN help in government services?
DIGIPIN helps in delivering government services more efficiently by providing precise location-based addresses for citizens, improving service delivery and better address capture during beneficiary on boarding. >
How does DIGIPIN handle changes in infrastructure, such as new buildings or roads?
DIGIPIN codes are fixed and independent of changes in infrastructure or street names, as they are based solely on geographic coordinates. Even if a new building is constructed, the DIGIPIN of the location remains the same.
Can a building having multiple residents/ homes have different DIGIPIN?
DIGIPIN is a pure function of latitude and longitude of the location. Floor information or any other address attribute does not affect the DIGIPIN value of a location. Since no personal information is needed for fetching the DIGIPIN , DIGIPIN is not different for different persons living in the same address. DIGIPIN is not an identifier of person but is only an addressing reference system.
Will DIGIPIN replace traditional addresses?
No, DIGIPIN will complement traditional addresses. It offers an additional digital layer of precision but won’t replace existing postal addresses.
Can DIGIPIN be useful for rural villages?
Yes, DIGIPIN is particularly useful in creating geo-referenced landmarks in rural or underdeveloped areas where traditional addressing systems may not be well-defined.
How do I fetch or decode a DIGIPIN?
A DIGIPIN code is a 10-character alphanumeric sequence. It’s a pure function of your location’s latitude and longitude, making it unique for each approx. 4m x 4m area. Department of Posts is planning to share the programming code for DIGIPIN logic in public domain for fetching and decoding the DIGIPIN.
Does DIGIPIN work in areas with no internet access?
Yes, because it is an offline system. Once a DIGIPIN is generated, it can be shared and used without the need for an internet connection.
Is DIGIPIN secure?
Yes, DIGIPIN is a pure function of latitude and longitude of the location and no personal data is associated with a DIGIPIN. The code only represents a location, and no individual’s information is stored.
Will DIGIPIN affect my privacy?
No, DIGIPIN does not compromise privacy. It only refers to a geographic location and does not store or display personal information linked to that location.
How can businesses benefit from DIGIPIN?
Businesses can use DIGIPIN to improve delivery accuracy, logistics, service coverage, and customer service, especially in areas with complex addresses.
