DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address)

DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address) Latest News

The Department of Posts has introduced a far-reaching digital policy titled DHRUVA—Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address. 

About DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address)

• Developed by the Department of Posts, DHRUVA sets the foundation for a nationwide Digital Address Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
• DHRUVA outlines a framework for creating a standardized, geo-coded, and interoperable digital address system. 
• It is designed to simplify address-related services and ensure secure, consent-based sharing of address information across public and private sectors.
• At the core of DHRUVA is the concept of Address-as-a-Service (AaaS)—a model that supports efficient, secure, and user-controlled management of address data. 
• The system aims to serve as a backbone for service delivery, governance, and commercial interactions.
• Under this system, citizens, government bodies, and businesses can engage in secure, consent-driven, and real-time sharing of verified address information. 
• The AaaS framework ensures:
  • Interoperability across different address systems used by various sectors
  • Standardization of address formats and geolocation tagging
  • Consent-based sharing to empower user control and privacy
  • Public-private integration for seamless adoption and innovation
• By recognizing digital addresses as core infrastructure, akin to Aadhaar and Unified Payments Interface (UPI), DHRUVA sets out to streamline everything from e-governance and online commerce to urban planning and emergency services.
• The policy also places emphasis on user-centric design, ensuring that citizens have meaningful control over how their address data is used and shared.
  • Citizens will retain full control over their digital address identity, with options to manage access, update details, and share their verified address securely for various use cases. 
• The DHRUVA platform will also feature multilingual support, mobile-first access, and integration with identity systems like Aadhaar, thereby improving usability and accessibility for all demographics.
• The DHRUVA policy builds upon the earlier launch of the Digital Postal Index Number (DIGIPIN)—the National Addressing Grid introduced by the Department of Posts. 
  • DIGIPIN is an open-source nationwide geo-coded addressing system developed by the Department of Posts in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and NRSC, ISRO. 
  • It divides India into approx. 4m x 4m grids and assigns each grid a unique 10-character alphanumeric code based on latitude and longitude coordinates.
  • The DIGIPIN system is publicly accessible and supports improvements in emergency response, logistics efficiency, and citizen service delivery.

DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address) FAQs

Q1. Which department has developed the DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address)?

Ans. Department of Posts

Q2. What is the primary objective of DHRUVA?

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Ans. Create a standardized, geo-coded, interoperable digital address system.

Q3. What is the Digital Postal Index Number (DIGIPIN)?

Ans. DIGIPIN is an open-source nationwide geo-coded addressing system developed by the Department of Posts in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and NRSC, ISRO. 

Source: DD