DigiPIN: A New Address for Digital India

In this special episode of All Things Policy, Dr Y. Nithiyanandam, Professor and Head of the Geospatial Research Programme at the Takshashila Institution, engages in a conversation with Mr Gokul C V, Assistant Director General at the Ministry of Communication, Government of India, who leads the DigiPIN initiative. They discuss how DigiPIN, a 10-digit alphanumeric code mapped to a 3.8 x 3.8 metre grid, is set to transform India’s approach to location data, offering a precise, open-source alternative to traditional addresses and PIN codes. The discussion raises important questions about whether DigiPIN could gradually reduce reliance on conventional addressing systems, and examines concerns around data privacy, user consent, and the potential for unintended consequences if linked with personal information. The conversation also explores its applications in service delivery, disaster response, and geospatial planning - highlighting the need for policy attention and the importance of building a federated, consent-based digital address ecosystem for India’s future.

All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.

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