Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India notifies Draft Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025 to Synchronize Time across India

Striving for ‘One Nation, One Time’ and realizing accuracy in Indian Standard Time (IST), the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India has launched a project in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to distribute IST with millisecond to microsecond precision. The initiative seeks to develop technology and infrastructure to spread IST from five Legal Metrology labs throughout India.

This accuracy is crucial for areas like navigation, telecommunications, power grid alignment, banking, digital governance, and advanced scientific research, such as deep space exploration and gravitational wave observation. Although it is significant, IST is not compulsory for all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), many of which depend on external time sources such as GPS. Aligning all networks and systems to IST is crucial for national security, immediate applications, and the efficient functioning of critical infrastructure.

To tackle these issues, a robust inter-ministerial committee was formed to create a policy framework, regulations, and legislation for the implementation of IST under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. Led by the Secretary (Consumer Affairs), the committee comprises representatives from NPL, ISRO, IIT Kanpur, NIC, CERT-In, SEBI, and significant government agencies such as Railways, Telecom, and Financial Services, among others. Several meetings were conducted by the committee to formulate rules for demanding IST adoption, set synchronization standards for networks, develop regulatory frameworks for time-stamping and cybersecurity, and oversee the advancement of the IST dissemination initiative utilizing cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure.

The Draft Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025 are published by the Legal Metrology Division, Department of Consumer Affairs as a comprehensive rule standardizing and mandating the use of Indian Standard Time (IST) across India. The draft Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules are published on the website of the Department for public consultation on 15.01.2025.  The comments may be submitted by 14.02.2025.

These groundbreaking regulations seek to establish and enforce the use of Indian Standard Time (IST) throughout all sectors in India, offering a consistent and accurate timekeeping system for strategic, non-strategic, industrial, and societal uses. The Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules will offer significant advantages to consumers by establishing a thorough system for accurate and consistent timekeeping nationwide. These regulations align communication networks, technical infrastructure, and public services, facilitating smooth interactions and improving economic efficiency.

The suggested Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2024, seek to designate Indian Standard Time (IST) as the compulsory time reference for all sectors, promoting consistency and accuracy. IST, which is derived from UTC with a +5:30-hour difference, is managed by the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL). These regulations require the alignment of legal, administrative, and commercial activities with IST, forbidding the use of different time references unless specifically allowed. The implementation of dependable synchronization protocols like Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is necessary for government offices and public institutions. To maintain resilience, cybersecurity strategies and alternative reference systems are recommended, improving dependability during cyber incidents or interruptions.

Exemptions are allowed for scientific, astronomical, and navigational uses with prior government authorization. Compliance will be regularly checked through audits, and penalties will be enforced for any violations. The regulations outline the process for synchronization, provide implementation guidelines, and set accuracy standards, guaranteeing uniformity across the nation with IST while enhancing governance, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency.

The regulations will aid precise financial dealings, assist in emergency response organization, and guarantee uniform scheduling of public transit. Additionally, they ensure legal and regulatory adherence by establishing consistent time standards for documentation and record maintenance. These regulations enhance industrial functions by facilitating coordinated production methods, boosting technological integration, and elevating global competitiveness.

The regulations will promote precise record-keeping and establish an essential method for aligning national infrastructure and communication systems. This thorough method of time management improves the government’s capacity to perform efficient, precise, and coordinated enforcement actions and administrative efficiency. The regulations will improve accuracy in essential areas such as navigation, telecommunications, the internet, banking, power grid alignment, 5G technologies, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. The regulations will ensure dependable synchronization of digital devices, navigation systems, and public services for consumers. Regulations will aid industries in achieving precise financial transactions, effective production, and international business dealings.

Through the enforcement of these regulations, the Government of India is making a significant move to guarantee accurate and consistent timekeeping nationwide, fostering technological progress, economic productivity, and strategic safety.