A PIN code, or Personal Identification Number, is a numeric or alphanumeric passcode used in the process of authenticating a user accessing a system. PINs are used to authenticate banking systems with cardholders, governments with citizens, enterprises with employees, and computers with users, among other uses. PINs are frequently used for multi-factor authentication, and businesses often require a user to enter a PIN code after they try to change an account password.
In India, a PIN code refers to a six-digit code in the Indian postal code system used by India Post. The PIN system was introduced on August 15, 1972, to simplify the manual sorting and delivery of mail by eliminating confusion over incorrect addresses, similar place names, and different languages used by the public. The first digit of a PIN indicates the zone, the second indicates the sub-zone, and the third, combined with the first two, indicates the sorting district within that zone. The final three digits are assigned to individual post offices within the sorting district.
Pincodes can also refer to special codes that can be created to share a Pinterest profile in the real world. When someone sees a Pincode, they can use Pinterest Lens to link to the profile or boards. However, this is a specific use of the term and not the general definition of a PIN code.
