Digital Address Code: What is it and why do we need it

After the exponential rise of online delivery by the eCommerce companies, a rising need for a digital address is being felt. In tandem with the trend, the Government of India has planned to have a Digital Address Code (DAC) for all addresses in the country. This is thought of and will be implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Department of Posts which would offer a unique Digital Address Code (DAC) to every citizen of the country.

It has been estimated that the country or the entire nation has approximately 35 crores (350 million) addresses of residential households in the country. Including the other business addresses estimated to be 75 crores (750 million) the total can be safely estimated to be 100 crores or 1 billion. It has also been proposed that with 11 digits in the Digital Address Code (DAC), it would be possible to cover 100 billion addresses. Hence it was proposed to have 11 digits plus one check digit, totalling 12 digits.

What is a Digital Address Code and how would it help us?

Digital Address Code (DAC) would be a 12-digit code to identify your physical address digitally and map it. Consequently, very soon, you won't be needed to identify your address while ordering anything online or even paying property taxes. The department of Post, Government of India is already working on the Digital Address Code (DAC) to be available to the citizens soon.

What is Digital Address Code (DAC)?

The Department of Posts, Government of India is working on the creation of a 12-digit code to be available to each physical address available in the nation. Each house or address would have its unique code much like the Aadhar card number that can be mapped digitally also. To be more precise, each dwelling place or business address would receive a code. This means if a two-story building has 10 apartments, each apartment will receive a separate code that would be attributed to the dwellers of the respective apartments.

In other words, your Digital Address Code (DAC) would be your unique address identity which would be given to each denizen according to their address. This code can even be used on the different apps of service providers by either typing or scanning it as a QR code. So much of the work can be accomplished with this code without even feeding your address. These codes will also be available on digital maps which would make it possible to locate the addresses too.

Is there really a need for a Digital Address Code?

In commenting on the need for a digital address code, the Department of Posts opines that the address proof on the Aadhar card cannot be digitally authenticated, nor can it be located. So, to digitally authenticate and locate an address that address should be linked to the geospatial coordinates. In doing so, it would act as a unique address code as well as the digital location to map it, if needed.

How will the Digital Address Code be created?

Each address would be digitally identified and linked with the residents along with their geospatial coordinates. This will help each address to be identified digitally by the map through the unique code ascribed to it. This will also be a code that is permanent and can be used for all purposes.

How will the Digital Address Code work?

The Digital Address Code or DAC can be either typed or scanned like a QR code. This will relieve you from typing your physical address for any work or filling up a form. This will also help you in locating your address or any other address digitally through digital maps.

Benefits of Digital Address Code

Among the numerous benefits of DAC, a few are listed below:

i) Every house, dwelling place, or establishment can be digitally verified which would be helpful for services like E-KYC for Banking, Insurance, etc.

ii) Services like e-Commerce would find it very helpful.

iii) It would also be helpful to implement government schemes and also prevent incidents of fraud.

iv) It would be helpful in the preparation of property taxation, title settlement, mortgage, disaster management, and in the different censuses conducted by the government.

v) It would also facilitate the easy sharing of addresses on social media, with friends and relatives, and with any others if need be.

vi) It would add and enrich the digital maps and their usage like applications in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Analytics, and AI helping create new products and solutions.

Although the Digital Address Code would open new frontiers and increase utility on all fronts, there may be issues like privacy that have to be addressed too. The Department of Posts in its published papers has also proposed ways and measures to address privacy issues and concerns. But whatever it may be, it can't be denied that every technological product or progress has its banes too. Considering the advantages that a Digital Address Code has, critics, feel that the nation should adopt it on a quicker footing.