DHRUVA – Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address.
The Department of Posts has issued a draft amendment to the Post Office Act, 2023.
Aim: Introduce a standardised, interoperable, user-centric digital addressing system called:
DHRUVA – Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address.
Key components
DHRUVA will create virtual address labels (like email/UPI format: name@entity) to act as a proxy for physical addresses.
It is part of the government's digital public infrastructure (DPI) vision.
Use-case
Helps users on e-commerce and gig platforms avoid repeatedly filling out address forms.
Users can simply provide a label and authorize firms to access the full textual address + coordinates.
Governance architecture
Amendment allows setting up a Section 8 not-for-profit entity under government supervision.
Similar in role to NPCI (which administers UPI).
Private players are not compelled to join; system is voluntary.
Consent-based framework
Users can authorise firms to access address details for a specific period only.
After expiry, re-authorisation is required.
Address service providers will issue labels.
Address information agents (AIAs) will manage consent architecture.
DIGIPIN – foundational layer
DIGIPIN: a 10-character alphanumeric code representing latitude and longitude.
Developed to improve precision:
Useful in rural areas or where textual addresses are insufficient.
Open-sourced by the Department of Posts.
Each DIGIPIN maps to a 14 square metre patch of land.
Deterministically generated by a mathematical function.
Total possible DIGIPINs ≈ 228 billion.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. DHRUVA, recently seen in news, primarily aims to:
a) Create a digital marketplace for government procurement
b) Establish a virtual addressing system functioning like email or UPI labels
c) Replace Aadhaar as a national identity platform
d) Standardise postal rates across India
Correct answer: b
Explanation:
DHRUVA will allow users to share addresses through virtual labels similar to email/UPI, acting as proxies for physical addresses.
Q. Which of the following correctly describes the DIGIPIN system?
a) A 4-digit postal code assigned to all rural post offices
b) A blockchain-based authentication mechanism for parcels
c) A 10-character alphanumeric code representing precise geographic coordinates
d) A centralised biometric system for address verification
Correct answer: c
Explanation:
DIGIPIN is a 10-character alphanumeric expression of latitude and longitude, mapping each unique code to a 14 m² area.
Q. With reference to the governance structure of DHRUVA, consider the following statements:
A Section 8 not-for-profit entity will be created to supervise the system.
Its governance model is intended to be similar to NPCI.
Private players are mandated by law to participate.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct answer: a
Explanation:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Statement 3 is incorrect—participation by private firms is voluntary, not mandatory.