pincode

Pincode, short for Postal Index Number, is India’s postal code system used by the government-owned India Post. The six-digit numeric code was introduced in 1972 to improve mail sorting and delivery through automated systems. The term PIN code is common in usage, and the spelling pincode is widely used in everyday writing in India. Outside India, PIN more often refers to Personal Identification Number, which can lead to confusion.

The pincode comprises six digits. The first digit denotes the postal zone, the second and third digits denote the sub-zone and sorting district, and the last three digits identify the delivery post office. This structure facilitates automated routing and efficient handling of mail and parcels. For example, 110001 is associated with central Delhi.

Usage and significance: The pincode appears on postal addresses, forms, invoices, and shipping labels. It is used by India Post for routing mail and by e-commerce and government services to identify delivery locations. Although primarily Indian, the concept of a postal code exists globally under names such as ZIP codes or postcodes, and the term pincode is specific to the Indian system.