**Policy Summary: DHRUVA - Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address**
**Introduction:**
DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address) is an initiative by the Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts, Government of India, designed to enhance address management and digital communication infrastructure across the country, with a particular focus on rural and underserved areas. The policy aims to establish a robust digital address management system through a unique geocoded addressing system.
**Key Objectives and Components:**
The core objective of DHRUVA is to improve location accuracy and simplify address usage through the implementation of a geocoded grid system known as DIGIPIN. This system assigns unique codes to locations using a grid of approximately 4 meters by 4 meters. The Digital Address layer enables users to generate personalized address labels by combining the DIGIPIN with descriptive information (e.g., house numbers, street names). The initiative features a federated and interoperable design, intended to make every location digitally addressable, thereby strengthening service delivery and planning across sectors like postal services, telecom, and broadband.
**Atmanirbhar Bharat and Indigenous Technology:**
DHRUVA supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by utilizing a fully India-developed geocoded addressing system. As an open-source solution, it fosters domestic innovation in address-based solutions within the telecom and digital sectors.
**Expected Outcomes and Timelines:**
The anticipated outcomes of DHRUVA include enhanced digital inclusion, improved resource planning, reduced delivery costs, and more responsive public services. These benefits are expected to particularly impact underserved regions by improving broadband connectivity and digital service accessibility. Currently, the project is in the Proof of Concept (PoC) stage. A draft policy document has been circulated for stakeholder consultation.
**Implementation Details:**
As of July 23, 2025, DHRUVA's implementation details in specific regions such as the rural areas of Palghar District and rural and urban areas of Maharashtra State are under development, with the project currently at the Proof of Concept stage.
Key Entities Referenced
DHRUVA POLICY: A policy initiative, likely related to digital infrastructure and addressing systems in India.
Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address DHRUVA: A project aimed at strengthening India's digital communication infrastructure by assigning unique codes to locations.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: A national initiative focused on promoting self-reliance and indigenous technology development in India, especially in telecom and digital sectors.
DIGIPIN: A geocoded grid system of around 4 metres by 4 metres used to assign unique codes to locations, improving location accuracy.
Palghar District: A district in Maharashtra, India, where the Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address is being implemented in rural areas.
Maharashtra State: A state in India where the Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address is being implemented in both rural and urban areas.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS: The government ministry responsible for communication policies and initiatives in India.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 532
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
DHRUVA POLICY
532. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:
DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA:
SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:
SHRI GODAM NAGESH:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the key objectives and components of Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual
Address (DHRUVA) and the manner in which it aims to strengthen India's digital communication
infrastructure in rural and urban areas;
(b) the manner in which Project DHRUVA will support the deployment of indigenous technology and
contribute to the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat in the telecom and digital sectors;
(c) the expected outcomes and timelines for the implementation of DHRUVA, and the manner in which
its rollout will impact broadband connectivity and digital services in underserved regions; and
(d) the details of the Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address implemented and to be
implemented in rural areas of Palghar District and rural and urban areas of Maharashtra State?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) The initiative aims to enhance the way addresses are structured and managed in India. It works by
assigning unique codes to locations using a geo-coded grid system of around 4 metres by 4 metres, known as
a DIGIPIN. This significantly improves location accuracy and enables precise identification of places.
In addition, the ‘Digital Address’ layer enables users to generate personalized address labels by
combining the DIGIPIN with descriptive information such as house numbers, street names, etc. This approach
simplifies address usage, enhances accuracy, and facilitates easy sharing, and ultimately aims to establish a
robust digital address management system.
Conceptualized with a federated and interoperable design, the initiative enables every location to be
digitally addressable, strengthening service delivery and planning across sectors such as postal, telecom, and
broadband—particularly in remote and underserved areas.
(b) The initiative promotes indigenous technology through a fully India-developed geo-coded addressing
system. As an open-source solution, it encourages domestic innovation in address-based solutions and aligns
with the vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.
(c) The identified outcomes include enhanced digital inclusion, improved resource planning, reduced
delivery costs, and more responsive public services across sectors such as postal, telecom, and broadband—
particularly benefiting underserved regions.
(d) A draft policy document has been circulated for stakeholder consultation. The project is at the proof-
of-concept (PoC) stage.
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