India Proposes DHRUVA Digital Address System Under Post Office Act Amendment

India Unveils DHRUVA: A Digital Addressing Framework for a Modern Postal and Service Economy

The Department of Posts has released a draft amendment to the Post Office Act, 2023 to operationalise a new digital addressing framework known as DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address). The system aims to make address usage interoperable, secure and seamlessly shareable—addressing long-standing challenges of inconsistent formats, manual entry errors and duplication across digital services.

How DHRUVA Reimagines Addressing in India

DHRUVA proposes replacing conventional text-based addresses with virtual identifiers modelled on structures like email IDs or UPI handles. These labels, built in the “ name@entity ” format, will act as easy-to-share digital proxies for physical locations. Users will simply share their virtual address, and authorised platforms can retrieve the underlying mapped location, bringing uniformity and reducing repetitive form-filling.

Governance Through a DPI-Aligned Model

The ecosystem will be governed by a Section 8 not-for-profit entity , functioning under the oversight of the postal department. Its role mirrors that of institutions like NPCI—managing standards, ensuring interoperability and enabling voluntary participation by private-sector address service providers. E-commerce companies, logistics operators and gig platforms are expected to benefit from improved accuracy and simplified last-mile address management.

Consent Framework and User Control

A strong consent architecture is central to DHRUVA. Users will authorise firms to access their full address and associated geolocation for defined durations, after which access is automatically revoked. Dedicated address information agents will manage this consent-driven exchange, ensuring privacy and transparency.

DIGIPIN: The Precision Engine Behind DHRUVA

DHRUVA is powered by DIGIPIN , a 10-character alphanumeric code that uniquely represents a 14-square-metre geospatial block. With the capacity to generate 228 billion unique codes , DIGIPIN enhances precision in rural and under-mapped areas while remaining open-source for broad adoption.

Exam Oriented Facts

• DHRUVA = Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address

• Virtual labels follow “name@entity” format

• Governance: Section 8 not-for-profit under postal department

• DIGIPIN: 10-character geolocation code , covering 14 sq m area