The government has implemented groundbreaking regulations to standardize and enforce the use of Indian Standard Time (IST) across all sectors in India, establishing a unified and accurate timekeeping system for strategic, non-strategic, industrial, and societal purposes.
As per a statement from the government, “The Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules will provide substantial benefits to consumers by creating a comprehensive framework for precise and uniform timekeeping across the country. These rules synchronize communication networks, technological infrastructure, and public services, enabling seamless interactions and enhancing economic efficiency.”
The 'One India, One Time' initiative was developed by the Department of Consumer Affairs in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The goal of this initiative is to leverage India’s regional navigation system for time synchronization, ensuring the country’s self-reliance and a secure timekeeping system.
At present, India relies on GPS satellites for precise time determination, down to milliseconds, which is aligned with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The proposed change would shift the management of India's time zone to utilize the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) for time dissemination instead.
The recent action aims to align all networks and systems with IST, with the government stating that it is “essential for national security, real-time applications and the smooth operation of critical infrastructure.”
What is ‘One Nation, One Time’?
The 'One Nation, One Time' initiative requires all government operations to function according to a single time zone, and restricts the use of alternative time references unless explicitly authorized.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution seeks to standardize timekeeping practices to enhance economic productivity and strengthen national security. This initiative also encompasses legal, administrative, commercial, and official documentation.
The project will collaborate with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to ensure the dissemination of Indian Standard Time (IST) with millisecond to microsecond accuracy.
Additionally, five Legal Metrology laboratories will be set up across India to improve precision and infrastructure.
Understanding How 'One Nation, One Time' Will Work
The government has not disclosed the official procedure for time synchronization, but various reports suggest that atomic clocks will be used to maintain the accuracy of Indian Standard Time (IST). Currently, IST is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), located in the National Capital, houses highly advanced atomic clocks that lose only a second over millions of years.
Once the NPL receives data from NavIC, it will transmit reference times to four regional centers in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati via optical fiber. This ensures uniform accuracy of time across the country. Each of these centers is equipped with an atomic clock, providing strong support for precise timekeeping.
The Need for Change: Why It Matters
The importance of having an indigenous time system became evident during the Kargil War of 1999. Experts believe that India's ability to precisely target enemy positions was hindered by its dependence on time data from foreign satellites.
This project was launched seven years ago, when India recognized the strategic significance of achieving independence in this domain.
Transition Process: How Will It Unfold?
The Secretary of Consumer Affairs led the high-level interministerial committee formed to oversee this transition. As per an ANI report, the committee comprises representatives from NPL, ISRO, IIT Kanpur, NIC, CERT-In, SEBI, and various government departments including Railways, Telecom, and Financial Services.
The government has published the Draft Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025 for public feedback. Individuals can submit their views until February 14 via the Department of Consumer Affairs website.
For government officials and public institutions, reliable synchronization protocols like Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) are being implemented.
How India Will Benefit
This new development will transform time management in India by establishing a unified and accurate timekeeping system.
It will enhance coordination in emergency responses and ensure the consistent scheduling of public transportation through precise time synchronization.
This standardized timekeeping will also support legal and regulatory compliance, optimize industrial processes, and boost India’s global competitiveness.
Key sectors, including navigation, telecommunications, 5G technologies, AI, IoT, and power grid synchronization, will experience significant improvements.
Currently, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) rely on foreign time sources like GPS, which poses cybersecurity risks and undermines critical infrastructure reliability.
The new system will synchronize digital devices and communication networks, enhancing consumer services, operational efficiency, and building stronger infrastructure.
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