The Department of Posts has recently proposed a draft amendment to the Post Office Act of 2023. This amendment seeks to implement an innovative addressing system known as the Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address, or DHRUVA.
DHRUVA is designed as a foundational element for a comprehensive Digital Address Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) across India. The initiative aims to create a standardized, interoperable, and geocoded digital addressing framework that facilitates secure, consent-based, and seamless address information sharing.
At the heart of DHRUVA lies the Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) model. This encompasses a suite of services related to address data management, enabling secure and efficient interactions among users, government entities, and private organizations. The AaaS framework ensures:
By recognizing digital addresses as essential infrastructure, comparable to Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), DHRUVA aims to enhance sectors such as e-governance, online commerce, urban planning, and emergency services. The policy prioritizes user-centric design, emphasizing meaningful control for citizens over their address data.
Individuals will have complete authority over their digital address identity, allowing them to manage access, update information, and securely share their verified addresses for diverse applications.
The DHRUVA platform will incorporate multilingual support and mobile-first design, along with integration with identity systems like Aadhaar. This approach is intended to improve usability and accessibility for all demographic groups.
DHRUVA is an evolution of the earlier initiative, the Digital Postal Index Number (DIGIPIN), which serves as the National Addressing Grid launched by the Department of Posts.
DIGIPIN is an open-source, nationwide geo-coded addressing system developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and NRSC, ISRO. The system divides India into approximately 4m x 4m grids, assigning each grid a unique 10-character alphanumeric code derived from its latitude and longitude coordinates. This publicly accessible system enhances emergency response, logistics efficiency, and citizen service delivery.
Q1. What is DHRUVA?
Answer: DHRUVA is a proposed digital addressing system in India aimed at standardizing and securing address information sharing while enhancing user control and interoperability.
Q2. How does DHRUVA benefit citizens?
Answer: DHRUVA empowers citizens by providing full control over their digital address identity, allowing them to manage access and share verified addresses securely.
Q3. What is Address-as-a-Service (AaaS)?
Answer: AaaS refers to a framework that encompasses services related to address data management, facilitating secure interactions between users and various sectors.
Q4. How does DHRUVA integrate with existing systems?
Answer: DHRUVA is designed to work with existing identity systems like Aadhaar, ensuring seamless integration and enhancing usability across platforms.
Q5. What is the significance of DIGIPIN?
Answer: DIGIPIN is a geo-coded addressing system that enhances logistics, emergency response, and service delivery by providing unique codes for geographic areas in India.
Question 1: What is the primary feature of the DHRUVA initiative?
A) Digital Postal Indexing
B) Interoperable addressing system
C) Enhanced postal services
D) Public-private partnerships
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What does AaaS stand for in the context of DHRUVA?
A) Address-as-a-Service
B) Addressing and Analytics Services
C) Advanced Address Solutions
D) Automated Address System
Correct Answer: A
Question 3: Which organization collaborated with the Department of Posts to develop DIGIPIN?
A) IIT Bombay
B) IIT Delhi
C) IIT Hyderabad
D) IIT Kanpur
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: What is the grid size used in the DIGIPIN system?
A) 2m x 2m
B) 4m x 4m
C) 10m x 10m
D) 1km x 1km
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: How does DHRUVA ensure user privacy?
A) By limiting access
B) Through consent-based sharing
C) By encrypting data
D) By using anonymous codes
Correct Answer: B
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