Why in the News?
Department of Posts has proposed the Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address (DHRUVA) as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), supported by a draft amendment to the Post Office Act, 2023.
What is DHRUVA?
DHRUVA stands for Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address. It aims to standardise and digitally share physical addresses through virtual labels similar to email IDs.
Nature
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) similar to Aadhaar and UPI. Based on consent based address sharing.
Key Components
- Digital Label: Proxy address like name@dhruva instead of full physical address.
- DIGIPIN: 10 digit alphanumeric geo coded location pin developed by India Post.
- Coverage: Every 12 square metre area in India has a unique DIGIPIN.
Institutional Ecosystem
- Address Service Providers: Generate virtual address labels.
- Address Validation Agencies: Authenticate address information.
- Address Information Agents: Manage user consent and sharing.
- Governing Entity: NPCI like body to oversee the framework.
How It Works
- User authorises sharing of the virtual address label.
- Platform receives descriptive address and geo coded DIGIPIN.
- Ensures controlled access to address data.
Major Use Cases
- Logistics and delivery services.
- E commerce platforms and gig economy platforms.
- Consent based data sharing of addresses.
- Seamless address updates during relocation.
- Service discovery for doorstep services.
Importance
- Improves last mile delivery, especially in rural areas.
- Reduces errors from incomplete or informal addresses.
- Enhances user control over personal address data.
Concerns and Criticism
- Relies on personal data and user consent, unlike structure based address systems used globally.
- May create incomplete datasets for urban planning if consent is denied.
- Needs clear legislative backing.
Associated Initiative
- DIGIPIN: Open sourced, location coordinate based addressing system by India Post.
Relevant Law
- Post Office Act, 2023 and its proposed amendment.
Prelims Pointers
- DHRUVA proposed by Department of Posts.
- DIGIPIN is location based, not a traditional PIN code.
- DHRUVA links addresses to individuals, not surveyed structures.
- Consent framework is the core feature.
| Consider the following: (2022)
1. Aarogya Setu 2. CoWIN 3. DigiLocker 4. DIKSHA Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
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