India Post Proposes DHRUVA: A Digital Public Infrastructure for Standardized Physical Addressing
The Department of Posts has proposed the DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address) framework to standardize physical addresses in India. DHRUVA aims to create a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) similar to Aadhaar and UPI. It utilizes DIGIPIN, a 10-digit alphanumeric code based on geo-coordinates, to provide precise locations. This system would allow users to share a 'label' or virtual address with e-commerce and logistics providers instead of full physical details, enhancing privacy and delivery efficiency. Experts suggest a draft law is needed to authorize the data collection required for this framework.
Key Points
- DHRUVA is designed as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to provide unique virtual addresses for physical locations.
- The system uses DIGIPIN, an open-sourced 10-digit alphanumeric code that divides the country into 12-square-metre blocks.
- It aims to improve logistics for players like India Post, Amazon, and Uber while enhancing user privacy through address tokenization.
- Implementation may require new legislation to govern data sharing and ensure consent-based access to address information.
Exam Facts
- DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address).
- DIGIPIN (10-digit alphanumeric code).
- Post Office Act, 2023 (proposed amendment).
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