India Encyclopedia: How postal codes / Pin codes are decided .

Here is the procedure

Even though letter-writing has become a thing of past, our online shopping habits keep the Pin code from becoming obsolete.

Ever wondered how is the Pin code of a particular area decided?

PIN code stands for Postal Index Number code. Also known as Zip code or area postal code, Pin code is the post office numbering code system used by the postal service of India, India Post.

The PIN was first introduced in India on August 15, 1972. It is a 6 digits long code with each of the digits denoting a particular meaning.

First digit

The first digit of the PIN reflects the region. In India, there are 9 PIN regions, out of which first 8 stands for geographical location and 9 is especially used for the army postal service.

Northern region - 1,2

Western region - 3,4

Southern region - 5,6

Eastern region - 7,8

Army postal service - 9

Second digit

The second digit in the PIN code indicates the sub region.

First two digits reflect

Thus the first two digits of the PIN identifies a particular circle. The list goes like this

11 - Delhi

12 and 13 - Haryana

14 to 16 - Punjab

17 - Himachal Pradesh

18 to 19 - Jammu & Kashmir

20 to 28 - Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal

30 to 34 - Rajasthan

36 to 39 - Gujarat

40 to 44 - Maharashtra

45 to 49 - Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh

50 to 53 - Andhra Pradesh

56 to 59 - Karnataka

60 to 64 - Tamil Nadu

67 to 69 - Kerala

70 to 74 - West Bengal

75 to 77 - Orissa

78 - Assam

79 - North Eastern

80 to 85 - Bihar and Jharkand

90 to 99 - Army Postal Service (APS)

Third digit

The third digit in the PIN code indicates the sorting district within the region. In this case, it is in Kolkata district.

Last 3 digits

The last 3 digits designates the specific post office within the district.

This Pin code comes under Dhakuria Post Office.

So, the Pin code suggests a place at Dhakuria in Kolkata, West Bengal.