What is the full form of PIN Code

PIN Code: Postal Index Number

The PIN code's full form is Postal Index Number. The Indian PIN code system has already concluded its silver jubilee, marking its 75th year of independence. To make delivery simple, Shri Bhikaji Velankar introduced it.

The Postal Service's PIN became accessible throughout India on August 15, 1972. The six-digit code sends couriers, mail, and other postal goods across the country.

PIN Code

Postal Index Number is referred to as a PIN Code. On August 15, 1972, the Indian postal service utilized it for the first time to divide the areas. The six numbers that make up the region's postal code each have a distinct meaning.

Shriram Bhikaji Velankar established the PIN Code system in India. He worked as the additional secretary in the Union Ministry of Communications and was a senior Posts and Telegraph Boards member and a Sanskrit specialist.

PIN Codes History

On August 15, 1972, Shriram Bhikaji Velankar established the PIN Code system in India. The new method was vital to simplify human mail sorting and delivery operations. This was a result of the confusion brought on by the employment of many languages and similar addresses and names. To make the procedure simpler, a predetermined approach was required. To differentiate between states, districts, and cities, PIN Codes were developed in this way.

PIN Code Format

Including eight physical areas and 1 for the Indian Army, India has nine postal zones. The first digit of a PIN code indicates the zone, the second digit a subzone, the third digit the sorting district in that region, and the final three digits the specific post office located in that district.

Why was the PIN Code required?

India is one of the nations having the largest postal systems worldwide, and there exist approximately 1.5 lakh post offices nationwide. Due to similar titles in several places or due to linguistic limitations, the operation of sorting and distributing mail became hectic. Therefore, the PIN code method was established to streamline the procedure.

PIN codes were assigned based on the nine geographical regions the country was separated into, and the Army Postal Service separately got one point. The postal service claims that 19101 PINs have indeed been issued around the country in total.

How does the postal index number function?

The PIN code comprises six digits in total. The numerals all have national validity and stand for different types of information. The 1st digit (East, West, North, or South) designates the postal area. The 2nd digit represents the sub-region, while the 3rd region denotes the sorting district. However, the remaining data provide a clearer picture of the part and location of the post office.

Based on PIN Code segregation, these parcels, mail, products, and PIN Codes are then delivered to the post office or courier services. From here, each of them is subsequently sent to the target address.

Postal Index Number Hierarchy in Detail

Digit 1: Designates the area. India is split into nine regions according to the PIN code.

Digit 2: Designates sub-regions such as Orissa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, etc.

Digit 3: The sorting district within the area is indicated.

Digits 4 to 6: Certain post offices are given within a district.

For example, Madhya Pradesh is located in a region where PIN codes are between 45 and 48. Therefore, the PIN code 482001 for Jabalpur falls within this range.

Delivery system

Each PIN is given to a specific delivery post office that accepts all mail for delivery around one or more subordinate offices under its jurisdiction, all of which have the same code. The delivery office may be a Sub-Office (SO), Head Office (HO), or General Post Office (GPO), which are commonly located in urban areas.

Post from the delivery office is sorted and forwarded to another delivery office with a different PIN or any relevant branch offices or sub-offices with the same PIN. Branch offices (BOs) in rural areas offer constrained postal services.

Who was responsible for PIN Code?

The founder of postal index numbers is credited to the Sanskrit scholar and poet Shri Ram Bhikaji. While working as a senior member of the Telegraph Board & as an assistant secretary in the Ministry of Communication, he became acutely aware of the pressing need for a system to improve the efficiency of the Indian Postal System.

He used PIN Code to categorize letters and mail throughout the nation better. Bhikaji created a system based on PIN Codes that was so reliable that sending products anywhere in the country was beneficial.

Beyond improving the postal services, Bhikaji has made other contributions as well. His drama "Viloma Kavya" is still a classic of Sanskrit literature, and he published 105 volumes in the language. For his extraordinary efforts and successes, Bhikaji, who directed the World Philatelic Exhibition in Delhi, was honoured with several awards and honours.

Even if letters are no longer used, GPS has a PIN Code advantage. When ordering food or other items online, use the correct PIN Code to obtain early deliveries.