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PIN Code Full Form in India

We use PIN codes every day for online shopping, banking, and sending letters, but few people know what the acronym actually stands for.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is ZIP code?

Answer

ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) code is the American equivalent of the Indian PIN code. When international websites ask for a ZIP code, Indians should enter their 6-digit PIN code.

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Key Facts

There are 9 PIN regions in India — 8 geographical regions and 1 dedicated exclusively to the Indian Army (Army Postal Service), which always starts with '9'.

Full Form

PIN = Postal Index Number

The PIN Code system is a 6-digit numbering system used by India Post to efficiently sort and deliver mail across the vast geography of India.

How the 6 Digits Work

India is divided into 9 postal zones. The 6 digits of the PIN code tell a story:

  • 1st Digit: Indicates the Region (e.g., 1 for North, 4 for West, 6 for South).
  • 2nd Digit: Indicates the Sub-Region/State (e.g., 11 is Delhi, 40 is Maharashtra).
  • 3rd Digit: Indicates the sorting district within the state.
  • Last 3 Digits: Indicate the exact local delivery Post Office.

Example: In 110001 (New Delhi), '11' is Delhi, '0' is the sorting district, and '001' is the Connaught Place post office.

History

The PIN code system was introduced on 15 August 1972 by Shriram Bhikaji Velankar, an additional secretary in the Union Ministry of Communications, to eliminate confusion caused by duplicate town names and poor handwriting.

Questions and Answers

What is ZIP code?+

**ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan)** code is the American equivalent of the Indian PIN code. When international websites ask for a ZIP code, Indians should enter their 6-digit PIN code.

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