Postal Index Number
A PIN code, which stands for Personal Identification Number,
is a numeric password or code used for authentication. It's typically used to
access secure systems, such as bank accounts, credit cards, mobile phones, and
electronic devices. PIN codes are often four to six digits long and are meant
to be known only to the authorized user to prevent unauthorized access. They
provide an additional layer of security beyond just a username or account
number.
What is Postal Index Number (PIN)
The Postal Index Number (PIN) code, commonly known as the
PIN code, is a numerical code used by postal services to simplify the sorting
and delivery of mail. It was introduced in India on August 15, 1972, by the
Indian Postal Service.
PIN codes are typically six digits long in India. The first
digit represents the region, the second digit represents the sub-region, the
third digit represents the sorting district, and the last three digits
represent the specific post office within that sorting district.
For example, in the PIN code 110001:
- 1 indicates the northern region.
- 10 indicates the Delhi sub-region.
- 001 indicates the Connaught Place sorting district within
Delhi.
This system helps postal services efficiently route mail to
the correct destination, making the process of sorting and delivering mail more
accurate and timely. Similar systems exist in other countries under different
names, such as ZIP codes in the United States and postal codes in many other
countries.
Click here to know about Pin Code and Structure
Importance of PIN Code
A "signification pin code" doesn't seem to be a
standard term. However, if you're referring to a "significant pin
code," it could mean a few different things:
- Important Location Identifier: In some contexts, a pin code
(Postal Index Number) could be significant because it identifies a particular
location. For example, a pin code might be significant if it denotes an
important city, area, or landmark.
- Special Purpose Code: Certain pin codes might be designated
for special purposes, such as government offices, diplomatic missions, or
high-security zones. These codes could be considered significant due to their
unique function.
- Numeric Code with Meaning: Alternatively, in a more abstract
sense, a "signification pin code" could refer to a numeric code that
holds some significance or meaning within a particular system or context. This
could be a code used for authentication, access, or any other purpose where
numbers convey specific information.
History of PIN Code
The Postal Index Number (PIN) system, also known as the PIN
code or ZIP code in some countries, is a numerical code used by postal services
to simplify the process of sorting and delivering mail. The history of the PIN
system dates back to the early 20th century.
- Origin: The concept of postal codes originated in the United
Kingdom in 1857 when Sir Rowland Hill, a British educator and social reformer,
proposed a numerical postal code system to improve mail sorting and delivery
efficiency. However, it wasn't until the 20th century that the modern postal
code system began to take shape.
- Development: The development and implementation of postal
codes varied from country to country. Germany introduced the world's first
postal code system in 1941, using a system of zone numbers. Other countries,
including the United States, began adopting postal codes in the mid-20th
century to streamline mail processing.
- India's PIN System: In India, the Postal Index Number (PIN)
system was introduced on August 15, 1972, by Shriram Bhikaji Velankar, an
additional secretary in the Union Ministry of Communications. The PIN system
was implemented to simplify and speed up mail delivery across the country,
which was facing challenges due to its vast size and diverse population.
- Structure of PIN: The PIN code in India consists of six
digits. The first digit represents the region, the second digit represents the
sub-region, the third digit represents the sorting district, and the last three
digits represent the individual post office within that district. This
hierarchical structure helps postal workers efficiently sort and deliver mail
to its destination.
- Expansion and Modernization: Over the years, the PIN system
has evolved to accommodate changes in population, infrastructure, and
technology. In India, the PIN system has been expanded and updated to keep pace
with urbanization and the growth of the postal network.
- Global Adoption: The success of postal code systems like the
PIN system in India has led to their widespread adoption around the world.
Today, most countries have their own postal code systems to facilitate the
sorting and delivery of mail and packages.
How to Structure of Postal Index Number
In India, the Postal Index Number (PIN) is a six-digit code
used to identify specific geographic regions for the purpose of efficient mail
delivery. The structure of a PIN code in India is as follows:
The first digit: Represents the region or zone.
1. Northern region
2. Western region
3. Southern region
4. Eastern region
5. Northern region
(again, but for Army postal service)
6. Western region
(again, but for Army postal service)
7. Southern region
(again, but for Army postal service)
8. Eastern region
(again, but for Army postal service)
9. Special services
or Reserved category
The second digit: Represents the sub-region or circle within
the region.
The Third digit: Represents the sorting district within the
region.
The last three digits: A specific code assigned to
individual post offices within the sorting district.
For example, let's take the PIN code "110001":
- The first digit "1" indicates the Northern region.
- The second digit "1" indicates the sub-region
within the Northern region.
- The third digit "0" represents the sorting
district.
- The last three digits "001" represent the specific
post office within that sorting district.
- This way, each PIN code in India is unique to a specific
geographic area, making it easier for postal authorities to sort and deliver
mail efficiently.
What is Difference between PIN Code and ZIP Code
PIN Codes of States
The two and third digits of a PIN code are as follows:
PIN
Prefix
|
Postal
Abbreviation
|
Region
|
11
|
DL
|
Delhi
|
12-13
|
HR
|
Haryana
|
14-15
|
PB
|
Punjab
|
16
|
CH
|
Chandigarh
|
17
|
HP
|
Himachal
Pradesh
|
18-19
|
JK,
LA
|
Jammu
Kashmir, Ladakh
|
20-28
|
UP,
UT
|
Uttar
Pradesh, Uttrakhand
|
30-34
|
RJ
|
Rajasthan
|
36-39
|
GJ
|
Gujarat
|
396
|
DH
|
Dadra
and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
|
40-44
|
MH
|
Maharashtra
|
403
|
GA
|
Goa
|
45-48
|
MP
|
Madhya
Pradesh
|
49
|
CT
|
Chhattisgarh
|
50
|
TG
|
Telangana
|
51-53
|
AP
|
Andhra
Pradesh
|
56-59
|
KA
|
Karnataka
|
60-66
|
TN
|
Tamil
Nadu
|
605
|
PY
|
Puducherry
|
67-69
|
KL
|
Kerala
|
682
|
LD
|
Lakshadweep
|
70-74
|
WB
|
West
Bengal
|
737
|
SK
|
Sikkim
|
744
|
AN
|
Andaman
and Nicobar Islands
|
75-77
|
OR
|
Odisha
|
78
|
AS
|
Assam
|
790-792
|
AR
|
Arunachal
Pradesh
|
793-794
|
ML
|
Meghalaya
|
795
|
MN
|
Manipur
|
796
|
MZ
|
Mizoram
|
797-798
|
NL
|
Nagaland
|
799
|
TR
|
Tripura
|
80-85
|
BR,
JH
|
Bihar,
Jharkhand
|
90-99
|
APS
|
Army
Postal Service |
How to PIN Codes Works
PIN codes, or Personal Identification Numbers, are numeric
passwords used to authenticate a user's identity in various systems. Here's how
they generally work:
Creation: When a user sets up an account or a device that
requires a PIN code, they typically choose a numeric sequence themselves. This
sequence is usually required to meet certain criteria such as length and
complexity.
Storage: PIN codes are stored securely within the system or
device. This storage may involve encryption or other security measures to
protect the PIN from unauthorized access.
Authentication: When a user attempts to access the system or
device, they are prompted to enter their PIN code. This could be when unlocking
a smartphone, accessing a bank account through an ATM, or logging into a secure
system.
Verification: The entered PIN code is compared against the
stored PIN associated with the user's account. If the entered PIN matches the
stored PIN, access is granted. If not, access is typically denied, and the user
may be given a limited number of attempts before being locked out for security
purposes.
Security Measures: To enhance security, systems often
implement measures such as locking out users after too many failed attempts,
requiring a reset or secondary authentication method, or using additional
factors like biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition) alongside the PIN.
Transmission: In digital transactions, PINs may be
transmitted securely to prevent interception by unauthorized parties. This
could involve encryption or other cryptographic methods to protect the PIN
during transmission.
Expiration and Change: Some systems may require users to
change their PINs periodically for security reasons. This helps prevent
unauthorized access in case a PIN is compromised.
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