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Architecture of DigiPIN

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DIGIPIN encodes latitude and longitude into a unique 10-character alphanumeric code using a fixed set of 16 symbols : 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, C, F, J, K, L, M, P, T . The encoding follows a hierarchical grid structure : The entire country is enclosed within a bounding box , which is first divided into 16 (4x4) regions —each assigned one of the 16 symbols. This defines the first character (Level 1) of the DIGIPIN. Each region is then subdivided into 16 subregions (Level 2), labeled again using the same 16 symbols. This continues recursively for 10 levels . As a result, each 10-character DIGIPIN uniquely identifies a 4m x 4m grid cell within India from a total of 16¹⁰ possible cells . This method ensures precise and scalable location referencing across the country. Bounding box  Figure 1: DIGIPIN Level-1 grid lines (in yellow) overlaid on India, illustrating the DIGIPIN bounding box. Bounding Box Coordinates: Longitude: 63.5°E to 99.5°E Latitude: 2.5°N to ...

Design of DigiPIN

  Core Concept: DIGIPIN forms the foundation of the digital address ecosystem. It is an alphanumeric offline grid system that divides India into uniform 4m x 4m units , each assigned a unique 10-character code based on its latitude and longitude . This code acts as a precise, offline address reference, making the system scalable, GIS-compatible, and adaptable for various applications. DIGIPIN Layer: The DIGIPIN layer serves as an offline address reference system with directional logic embedded in its naming structure. It can support a wide range of workflows that require address identification. As it encodes only geolocation data without storing personal information, DIGIPIN ensures user privacy while enabling integration with digital services and applications.

Digital Postal Index Number (DIGIPIN)

 The Department of Posts has launched an initiative to create a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that introduces a standardized, geo-coded addressing system for India. As part of this effort, it is releasing the final version of DIGIPIN —the foundational layer of this infrastructure. DIGIPIN aims to simplify address identification for seamless public and private service delivery, enabling “Address as a Service” (AaaS) across the country. Developed as an open-source, national-level addressing grid in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad, NRSC, and ISRO , DIGIPIN is a key element of India’s evolving digital address ecosystem. The beta version of DIGIPIN’s technical framework was earlier shared for public feedback and expert review. After a comprehensive analysis of the inputs received, the Department has finalized the DIGIPIN Grid, integrating relevant suggestions. DIGIPIN now provides a uniform address referencing system —available both online and offline—enabling accurate and lo...