Postal Department Considers UPI-like ‘Labels’ for Addresses

Overview: The Department of Posts under the DHRUVA initiative has launched DIGIPIN — a 10-character geo-coded digital address system that assigns a unique code to every 4 × 4-metre grid across India.

Riyaz

Dec-05-2025

Postal Department Considers UPI-like ‘Labels’ for Addresses

The Postal Department is also coming up with a UPI-like digital address labeling system, based on its officially launched DIGIPIN program. It aims to substitute the long physical addresses with short, standardised, geo-coded digital identifiers, which are UPI IDs in nature. The Department of Posts states that the digital address codes will tighten the place, which is simple to check and share immediately, and across all platforms. The goal of this system is to enhance the precision of delivery, simplification of the logistics of e-commerce, and provide support for the reach of governmental services in both urban and rural areas. Incorporating digital labels, India can advance towards the development of a coherent, technology-driven addressing infrastructure under the scheme of its digital governance vision.

Key Highlights Points About Postal

In 1854, the India Post was started and presented a new postal system when Lord Dalhousie introduced it.
It is governed by the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, and was revised with different amendments in subsequent years and modern digital changes.
The Dhurva Digital Address System is meant to offer digital addresses that are geo-coded and precise.
The India Post runs one of the largest networks of postal services in the world in cities, rural, and remote areas.
The main services are mail, banking, insurance, logistics, and support of digital public infrastructure.

Asked Questions About the Postal Department

Exam Name / Year	Question	Options	Correct Answer	Explanation
RRB NTPC 2021	India Post was originally established in which year?	A) 1837 B) 1854 C) 1898 D) 1911	B) 1854	India’s modern postal system began in 1854 under Lord Dalhousie.
SSC CGL 2022	The Indian Postal system functions under which Act?	A) IPC 1860 B) Post Office Act 1852 C) Indian Post Office Act 1898 D) Postal Amendment Act 1986	C) Indian Post Office Act 1898	This Act governs postal operations in India.
RRB Group D 2022	What is ‘Dhruva’ related to the Postal Department?	A) Financial Scheme B) Digital Address System C) New Stamp Series D) Logistics App	B) Digital Address System	Dhruva is a digital, geo-coded addressing initiative.
SSC CHSL 2023	Which ministry controls the Department of Posts?	A) Home Ministry B) Ministry of Finance C) Ministry of Communications D) Ministry of IT	C) Ministry of Communications	India Post works under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications.
UPSC Prelims 2020	India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) was launched in which year?	A) 2015 B) 2016 C) 2017 D) 2018	D) 2018	IPPB was formally launched nationwide in September 2018.

Expected Question for Upcoming Exams (Indian Postal)

Dhruva, recently seen in the news, is related to which initiative of the Postal Department?

A) Financial inclusion

B) Geo-coded digital addressing

C) Railway parcel tracking

D) Aadhaar verification

Answer: B) Geo-coded digital addressing

Description: Dhruva is a digital address system providing precise, map-based location codes.

What is the main purpose of the newly introduced DIGIPIN system?

A) Replace Aadhaar

B) Assign digital geo-tagged location codes

C) Expand post office branches

D) Improve money order services

Answer: B) Assign digital geo-tagged location codes

Description: DIGIPIN provides a 10-digit precise digital address, improving delivery accuracy.

DIGIPIN is aligned with which national policy?

A) National IT Vision 2005

B) National Geospatial Policy 2022

C) Digital India 2014

D) Governance Reforms 2021

Answer: B) National Geospatial Policy 2022

Description: DIGIPIN supports India’s geospatial data framework under this policy.

Where was the first modern post office of India established?
A) Mumbai
B) Kolkata
C) Chennai
D) Delhi
Answer: B) Kolkata
Description: The first modern post office was set up in Kolkata during British rule.

Where is the world’s highest post office located?

A) Leh

B) Hikkim, Himachal Pradesh

C) Tawang

D) Kargil

Answer: B) Hikkim, Himachal Pradesh

Description: Hikkim Post Office (at ~4,440m) is officially the world’s highest functional post office.

Conclusion

The Postal Department to implement UPI-type digital labels is the biggest stride towards the introduction of modern, precise, and shareable addressing in India. The system can simplify deliveries, enhance the efficiency of the e-commerce market, and reinforce the digital governance to make the postal services quicker, smarter, and future-resilient through utilizing geo-coded identifiers such as Dhruva and DIGIPIN.