The story so far: The Department of Posts in May proposed a framework called Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address, or DHRUVA, which would allow for the standardisation and sharing of physical addresses through “labels” that resemble email addresses. DHRUVA will also help with “effective governance, inclusive service delivery, and enhanced user experience,” the postal department said. The government has put out a draft amendment to the Post Office Act, 2023 to enable DHRUVA. This follows the release of DIGIPIN, a 10-digit alphanumeric pin code based on location coordinates.
What is DHRUVA?
DHRUVA is being proposed as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) along the lines of Aadhaar and UPI. The service would allow a range of players — from logistics players like India Post to e-commerce and gig platforms like Amazon and Uber — to receive a “label” instead of users having to fill out an address. The label would then be authorised by the end user, which would then allow the platform in question to receive both the “descriptive” address, and the “geo-coded” DIGIPIN.
DIGIPIN is an open-sourced location pin system, which India Post developed in-house. Every 12 square metre block in India has its own unique DIGIPIN. India Post hopes that, at least within the postal network, it can be useful in rural areas where precise descriptive addresses may not always be available (or possible), and would help mail delivery personnel with a precise location as a fallback, in addition to the PIN code.
