The Indian government is working on a project called “One Nation, One Time” to improve the accuracy of Indian Standard Time (IST). This initiative, led by the Department of Consumer Affairs in partnership with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims to provide IST with millisecond to microsecond precision. The project will set up technology and facilities in five Legal Metrology laboratories across India to ensure accurate timekeeping.
Accurate time is crucial for various sectors, including navigation, telecommunications, banking, and scientific research. However, not all telecom and internet service providers currently use IST; many depend on foreign time sources like GPS. It’s important to synchronize all systems to IST for national security and efficient operation of essential services.
To tackle these issues, a committee has been formed to create rules for adopting IST under the Legal Metrology Act of 2009. This committee includes representatives from various government departments and institutions. They are working on regulations that will require the use of IST in all official activities and establish guidelines for synchronization across networks.
The proposed Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025, aim to standardize IST usage throughout India. These rules will make IST the official time for all sectors, ensuring everyone uses the same time reference. This will help improve communication, enhance economic efficiency, and support critical operations like financial transactions and emergency responses.
The rules will also require government offices to display IST prominently and use reliable synchronization methods. Exceptions will be allowed for specific fields like astronomy or navigation with prior approval from the government. Compliance with these rules will be monitored through audits, and penalties will be imposed for violations.
Overall, these new regulations represent a significant step towards ensuring uniform timekeeping across India, promoting technological progress and national security.
