Following Aadhaar (digital ID) and UPI (digital payments), the Indian government plans to introduce a ‘digital address’ as part of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) framework.

The core idea is to designate “address information management” as a form of “core public infrastructure,” which is currently not regulated despite growing digitisation.

Indian Government Plans To Introduce a ‘Digital Address’ as Part of the DPI Framework

The initiative has two main goals: establishing secure, consent-based protocols for sharing addresses between public and private digital platforms, and enabling fast, targeted last-mile delivery of government services.

The effort is being led by the Department of Posts and monitored closely by the Prime Minister’s Office.

A draft framework for ‘digital address’ that includes “addressing standards” is expected to be released for public consultation within a week and finalized by the end of the year.

A legislative proposal may also be introduced during the winter session of Parliament to create a digital address-DPI authority or implementation mechanism with regulatory oversight.

The move was prompted by multiple factors, primarily the widespread collection and usage of citizens’ address data by e-commerce and delivery services without user consent or awareness.

The government seeks to introduce protocols that ensure secure, consent-based usage of address data, including for sharing with government agencies.

Another major driver is the inefficiency and inconsistency in India’s current address system, which often relies on vague descriptions and landmarks, making it unsuitable for digital services.

Incomplete or Inaccurate Addresses Cause Economic Losses of $10–14 Billion Annually

Studies conducted for the government estimate that such incomplete or inaccurate addresses result in economic losses of $10–14 billion annually, equivalent to around 0.5% of India’s GDP.

In response, the government formed a Thematic Working Group on addresses under the National Geospatial Policy in December 2023 to develop standardized address formats.

The revised Post Office Act of 2023 authorizes the government to define address standards, postcode usage, and protocols.

In 2024, a sectoral Group of Secretaries identified the Digital Postal Index Number (DIGIPIN) as a key component in reforming public service delivery.

Unlike conventional postal addresses based on locality, street, and house number, DIGIPIN uses a 10-character alphanumeric geospatial code based on a location’s exact coordinates.

DIGIPIN is intended to offer “precise location-based identification, especially in areas with unstructured or changing addresses,” such as rural regions, forests, and informal settlements.