What is a PIN Code?

PIN code or a Postal Index Number which we generally see at the end of any address in India is a six-digit numeric code in the Indian Postal system. India is such as vast country having so many villages, towns, and cities that finding the right person or place can be a bit challenging for the Postal Service of India. Thus, to make the process of delivering parcels or letters more effective, the India Post has introduced the six-digit PIN code number.

The Indian Postal Service has come up with nine particular PIN regions across India, out of which eight are geographical regions and the ninth region is reserved for the Indian Army.

History of PIN Codes

The PIN Code was introduced on 15 August 1972 by the then Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Shriram Bhikaji. The new system was felt important to simplify the process of sorting and delivering the mails manually. This is because different languages and similar names and addresses created a lot of confusion. Thus, there should be a standard procedure that helps in simplifying the process. This way, PIN Codes were introduced to identify states, districts, and cities.

PIN Code Structure

There are nine postal zones in India which include eight geographical regions and the ninth zone is for the Indian Army. The first digit of a PIN code designates the zone, the second digit is a subzone, the third digit implies the sorting district within that region, and the last three digits indicate the specific post office within that district.

Post Office Zones

• Northern Zone: 1, 2
• Western Zone: 3, 4
• Southern Zone: 5, 6
• Eastern Zone: 7, 8
• Army Postal Zone: 9

State-Wise

The first digit of the PIN are as follows:

1. Chandigarh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi

1. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh

1. Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Gujarat, Rajasthan

1. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra

1. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana

1. Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Kerala, Tamil Nadu

1. Sikkim, Assam, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal

1. Jharkhand, Bihar

1. Field Post Office (FPO), Army Post Office (APO)

The first two digits of a PIN code are as follows:

How does the System Work?

Each PIN is designed for one delivery post office which will receive all the mails to be delivered to various post offices under its jurisdiction. The delivery post office can be the General Post Office, a sub-office, or, a head office which is situated in urban areas. From these offices, the mails are collected and delivered to the relevant sub offices which finally send the mail to the recipient with the help of a postman.

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FAQs on What is PIN CODE

1. What is a PIN Code?

   In India, the name Postal Index Number (PIN) is commonly referred to as a PIN code. It is a code that appears in the post office number of the postal code system used by India Post to sort mail.

2. How do I find my PIN Code?

   You can find your PIN code by visiting https://www.indiapost.gov.in/. Then you have to enter all the details and finally click on submit.

3. What is the purpose of a PIN code?

   The PIN code system was introduced in the country to assist the postal department in manually sorting and delivering mail to the correct location. It also aids in the elimination of ambiguity caused by similar geographical names, different languages, and people's erroneous addresses.

4. How many digits are there is a PIN code?

   There are six digits in a PIN code.

5. How many PIN Codes are there in India?

   India has a total of 19,101 PINs spanning 154,725 post offices except the Army Postal Service.