Daily Current Affairs : 25-July-2024

The Department of Post has recently released a beta version of the National Addressing Grid, called DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number), to collect public feedback. Developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, DIGIPIN aims to transform the way addresses are managed and located across the country. By offering a permanent digital infrastructure, the system seeks to improve the efficiency and reliability of addressing for various applications, such as logistics, emergency services, and more.

What is DIGIPIN?

DIGIPIN is a digital addressing system that assigns a unique 10-digit alphanumeric code to every 4-meter by 4-meter geographical area in the country. This code is based on the exact geographic coordinates of the location, making it a precise and permanent reference for addresses. Unlike traditional postal systems, DIGIPIN is not affected by changes in locality names, road networks, or administrative divisions like states or cities. This ensures the system remains stable and reliable over time.

Key Features of DIGIPIN

  • Unique 10-digit code: Each 4m x 4m geographical unit is assigned its own specific alphanumeric code.
  • No impact from administrative changes: Changes in city names, state boundaries, or road networks will not affect the address, making it future-proof.
  • Offline addressing: The DIGIPIN code can be used without an internet connection, making it highly practical for various uses such as logistics, delivery, and emergency services.
  • Privacy protection: The system does not store any private address data, ensuring that users’ personal information is kept secure and confidential.

Benefits of DIGIPIN

  • Improved Logistics: The precise 10-digit code allows for accurate delivery, navigation, and location tracking, which benefits e-commerce and courier services.
  • Enhanced Emergency Services: In emergencies, authorities can quickly locate individuals or areas using the DIGIPIN system, improving response times and efficiency.
  • Future-proof: Since DIGIPIN is based on geographic coordinates, it remains unaffected by changes in political boundaries, road networks, or administrative divisions, making it a stable, long-term solution.

Important Points:

DIGIPIN Overview:

  • A beta version of the National Addressing Grid (DIGIPIN) has been released by the Department of Post.
  • Developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad, DIGIPIN aims to enhance the country’s addressing system.
  • It offers a permanent digital infrastructure for accurate and reliable address location.

Key Features of DIGIPIN:

  • Assigns a unique 10-digit alphanumeric code to every 4m x 4m geographical unit.
  • The code is based on geographical coordinates of each location.
  • No impact from administrative changes like changes in locality names, city boundaries, or road networks.
  • Offline addressing: The system can be used without an internet connection.
  • Privacy protection: No private address data is stored.

Benefits of DIGIPIN:

  • Improved logistics: Accurate delivery and navigation for e-commerce and courier services.
  • Enhanced emergency services: Quick location identification during emergencies, improving response times.
  • Future-proof: The system remains unaffected by changes in geography or political boundaries.

Why In News

The Department of Post has released a beta version of the National Addressing Grid, DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number), for public feedback, inviting citizens and experts to review and suggest improvements before the official rollout.

MCQs about DIGIPIN

  1. What is the primary purpose of DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number)?
    A. To replace traditional postal systems
    B. To provide a permanent digital addressing infrastructure
    C. To track packages in real-time
    D. To create a system for online shopping only
    Correct Answer: B. To provide a permanent digital addressing infrastructure
    Explanation: DIGIPIN is designed to provide a stable and reliable digital addressing system that remains unaffected by changes in administrative divisions, road networks, or locality names, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of locating addresses.
  2. What feature of DIGIPIN ensures it remains unaffected by changes in administrative divisions?
    A) It uses a 10-digit code
    B) It is based on geographical coordinates
    C) It is an online-only system
    D) It stores private address data
    Correct Answer: B) It is based on geographical coordinates
    Explanation: DIGIPIN assigns a unique 10-digit alphanumeric code to each 4m x 4m geographical unit, using geographical coordinates as the reference point. This means it is not affected by changes in locality names, city boundaries, or road networks.
  3. What is a key benefit of DIGIPIN for emergency services?
    A) It allows online shopping
    B) It helps with faster delivery of packages
    C) It enables quick location identification during emergencies
    D) It provides discounts on logistics services
    Correct Answer: C) It enables quick location identification during emergencies
    Explanation: The precise geographic codes of DIGIPIN allow emergency services to locate individuals or areas quickly, improving response times and the efficiency of rescue operations.
  4. How does DIGIPIN ensure privacy protection for users?
    A) It requires users to share personal details
    B) It uses encrypted codes to hide addresses
    C) It does not store any private address data
    D) It provides an online database of addresses
    Correct Answer: C) It does not store any private address data
    Explanation: One of the core features of DIGIPIN is its focus on privacy. The system does not store any personal address data, ensuring that users’ private information remains secure and confidential.

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