Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address (DHRUVA)

Source: TH

Subject: Government Scheme

Context: The Department of Posts has released a draft amendment to introduce DHRUVA, a UPI-like digital addressing system enabling users to share address “labels” such as name@entity.

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

What it is?

• DHRUVA is a national Digital Address Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that standardises, digitises and virtualises physical addresses through secure, consent-driven sharing using UPI-like address labels.

• It builds on the DIGIPIN system to offer geocoded precision and interoperability across platforms.

Launched by: Draft policy introduced by the Department of Posts in 2025 for public consultation.

• To create a unified, interoperable, secure, and user-controlled digital address ecosystem.

• To treat address-data management as a core public infrastructure similar to Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker.

• To enable Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) for government, businesses, and citizens.

Key Features:

• UPI-like Address Labels: Users get a virtual address such as “name@entity”, which acts as a proxy for their physical address—reducing the need to fill address forms repeatedly.

• Consent-Based Access: Companies can access the user’s geocoded or textual address only with time-bound authorisation, ensuring strong privacy protection.

• DIGIPIN Backbone:

• DIGIPIN = a 10-character alphanumeric geocode representing latitude–longitude. Maps every 14 sq m patch of Indian territory (~228 billion unique pins). Open-sourced and precise, especially for rural and hard-to-map areas.

• DIGIPIN = a 10-character alphanumeric geocode representing latitude–longitude.

• Maps every 14 sq m patch of Indian territory (~228 billion unique pins).

• Open-sourced and precise, especially for rural and hard-to-map areas.

• Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) Framework: Provides secure APIs for integrating address data across government agencies, logistics firms, fintech, e-commerce, etc.

• Institutional Architecture:

• A Section 8 not-for-profit entity (NPCI-like) will administer the ecosystem. Address Service Providers (ASPs) issue labels; Address Information Agents (AIAs) manage consent workflows.

• A Section 8 not-for-profit entity (NPCI-like) will administer the ecosystem.

• Address Service Providers (ASPs) issue labels; Address Information Agents (AIAs) manage consent workflows.

• Interoperability & Private-Sector Participation: The system is voluntary—designed to attract e-commerce, gig platforms, financial services, and logistics companies.