What is a PIN Code?

A PIN Code (Postal Index Number) is a unique 6-digit number used by India Post for sorting and delivering mail across India. It was introduced on 15 August 1972 by the Indian Postal Service.

PIN Code Structure

PIN Code 6 digits are divided into three parts

• First Digit - Region or Zone name
• Second Digit - sub-region (Circle)
• Third Digit - District Sorting
• Last Three Digits - Specific post office

For example: 411001 is a Pincode under Pune, Maharashtra with multiple post offices.

Pincode: 411001

• 4 - Western region (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh)
• 11 - Pune district
• 001 - Pune City head Post Office

PIN Code Zones in India

Indian pincodes are divided into 9 PIN Code Zones:

• 1 - Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu Kashmir
• 2 - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
• 3 - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Daman And Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli
• 4 - Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
• 5 - Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka
• 6 - Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puduchery, Lakshadweep
• 7 - West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast States
• 8 - Bihar, Jharkhand
• 9 - APS (Army Postal Service)

PIN Codes Types in India

• Single Delivery - Standard post offices in single area.
• Head Office (HO) - Main post office in a district.
• Sub Office (SO) - Under a Head Office serves a smaller area.
• Branch Office (BO) - Smallest rural post office under sub office.

Why Pincode is important?

A PIN code or Postal Index Number is used in India to properly classify and organize mail. It was started by India Post in 1972. It is a six-digit code that helps in sorting mail and routing mail to the correct post office, Its reducing errors and delays also. Since sometimes a large number of places have common names and postal areas are properly sorted, it helps in speeding up mail delivery. PIN codes also have an important function in government records, banks and online facilities, as they help in address verification for Aadhaar, PAN card and voter ID cards.

PIN codes are important for ecommerce services, food ordering like Amazon, flipkart, Zomato and Swiggy use PIN codes to confirm delivery accessibility. Apart from this, PIN codes are used for location authentication in utilities, property registration and bill payments for legal documents. Police Stations and ambulances also use PIN codes to quickly identify addresses in emergencies. PIN codes are crucial in speeding up postal services smooth and efficient day to day services across over 1.6+ lakh post offices in India.