PIN Code stands for Postal Index Number and PIN Code is an important code that is used in our address to make the address more accurate and easy to find.
In a city with hundreds of houses, many with similar names, a PIN Code emerges as a distinct identifier. The significance lies in its ability to set itself apart.
Each year, businesses suffer substantial financial losses attributed to misplaced items stemming from address-related issues. The PIN Code proves invaluable in precisely locating addresses, enabling businesses to streamline their distribution processes.
Embracing the PIN Code not only enhances accuracy but also safeguards against the considerable economic repercussions of address-related complications.
From bustling urban centers to tranquil suburbs, each area possesses its unique PIN code, acting as an address fingerprint. In this article, we will discuss what is PIN Code, the history of PIN Code, PIN Code structure, state-wise PIN Code, and much more.
History of PIN Code
The history of the PIN code in India dates back to August 15, 1972, attributed to Shriram Bhikaji Velankar.
Serving as an additional secretary in the Government of India’s Ministry of Communications, Shriram Velankar conceptualized a PIN code system designed to streamline the logistics of the country.
This system effectively mitigated confusion arising from inaccurate addresses, similar place names, and the diverse array of languages employed by the public.
PIN Code Structure & Post Office Zones
In India, Postal Zones are divided into 9 zones with eight regional zones and one functional zone (For army and field services). The first digit of a PIN indicates the zone and is allocated from 1-9 numbers, which is as follows-
| 1st digit of PIN | Zone | States or Union Territories |
| 1 | North | National Capital Territory of Delhi |
| State of Haryana | ||
| State of Himachal Pradesh | ||
| State of Punjab | ||
| Union Territory of Chandigarh | ||
| Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir | ||
| Union Territory of Ladakh | ||
| 2 | State of Uttarakhand | |
| State of Uttar Pradesh | ||
| 3 | West | State of Gujarat |
| State of Rajasthan | ||
| Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | ||
| 4 | State of Chhattisgarh | |
| State of Goa | ||
| State of Madhya Pradesh | ||
| State of Maharashtra | ||
| 5 | South | State of Andhra Pradesh |
| State of Karnataka | ||
| State of Telangana | ||
| 6 | State of Kerala | |
| State of Tamil Nadu | ||
| Union Territory of Puducherry | ||
| Union Territory of Lakshadweep | ||
| 7 | East | State of Arunachal Pradesh |
| State of Assam | ||
| State of Manipur | ||
| State of Meghalaya | ||
| State of Mizoram | ||
| State of Nagaland | ||
| State of Odisha | ||
| State of Sikkim | ||
| State of Tripura | ||
| State of West Bengal | ||
| Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands | ||
| 8 | State of Bihar | |
| State of Jharkhand | ||
| 9 | APS | Army Postal Service (APS) |
| Field Post Office (FPO) |
State-Wise PIN code
The following are the state-wise PIN Code-
| The first Two Digits of PIN | Circle |
| 11 | Delhi |
| 12, 13 | Haryana |
| 14 – 16 | Punjab |
| 17 | Himachal Pradesh |
| 18 – 19 | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 20 – 28 | Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh |
| 30 – 34 | Rajasthan |
| 36 – 39 | Gujarat |
| 40 -44 | Maharashtra |
| 45 – 49 | Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh |
| 50 – 53 | Telangana, Andhra Pradesh |
| 56 – 59 | Karnataka |
| 60 – 64 | Tamil Nadu |
| 67 – 69 | Kerala |
| 70 -74 | West Bengal |
| 75 – 77 | Orissa |
| 78 | Assam |
| 79 | North Eastern |
| 80 – 85 | Jharkhand, Bihar |
| 90 – 99 | Army Postal Service (APS) |
FAQ
The PIN code, or Postal Index Number, is a numerical code assigned to specific geographical areas by postal services. It is designed to simplify the sorting and delivery of mail by providing a unique identifier for each area.
The primary purpose of the PIN code is to facilitate the efficient sorting and delivery of mail by postal services. By assigning a unique code to each area, the PIN code helps eliminate confusion arising from similar place names, incorrect addresses, and the use of different languages. It streamlines the logistics of the postal system, making it more accurate and reliable.
In India, a PIN code typically consists of six digits. The digits are structured in such a way that they convey information about the specific region, sub-region, and post office to which the mail is destined.
In India, there are 19,101 PIN codes covering 154,725 post offices, excluding the Army Postal Service.
A PIN code in India consists of six digits with each digit serving a specific purpose in indicating the geographical location of the destination post office, facilitating the efficient sorting and delivery of mail.
