The Postal Index Number (PIN) or PIN Code is a six-digit system used by India Post for organizing and identifying post offices across the country. There are 19,101 PIN codes in India, served by 164,797 Branch Offices (B.O.), Sub Offices (S.O.), or Head Offices (H.O.). While India Post delivers to all these PIN codes, Speed Post services are not universally available.
The PIN system was introduced on August 15, 1972. India is divided into nine PIN regions, with the first eight covering specific geographic areas, and the ninth region designated for the Army Postal Service. The first digit of the PIN code represents one of these regions. The first two digits together denote a sub-region or postal circle, while the first three digits indicate a sorting or revenue district. The final three digits specify the exact delivery post office.
Here’s a breakdown of what the first digit of the PIN code represents:
1 (Northern region): Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir
2 (Northern region): Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
3 (Western region): Rajasthan and Gujarat
4 (Western region): Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
5 (Southern region): Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
6 (Southern region): Kerala, Tamil Nadu
7 (Eastern region): West Bengal, Odisha, Northeastern states
8 (Eastern region): Bihar, Jharkhand
9: Army Postal Service
Sources: data.gov.in, indiapost.gov.in, Wikipedia.