‘One Nation, One Time’: Centre notifies Indian Standard Time rules

NEW DELHI, AUG 30 (IANS): The Department of Consumer Affairs has notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026, paving the way for IST to become the common time reference for legal, administrative, commercial and official purposes across the country.
The rules were notified on August 27 and will come into force 180 days after publication in the Official Gazette, giving government departments, businesses and institutions time to modify their systems. The move is aimed at ensuring accurate and synchronised timekeeping as banking, digital payments, telecommunications, railways, power networks, computer systems and government records increasingly depend on precise timestamps.
The framework is part of the government’s ‘One Nation, One Time’ initiative to establish a secure and uniform time-distribution system. It is expected to improve the reliability of financial transactions, transport coordination, telecommunications, internet networks, power systems, legal records and emergency services.
Centre is developing infrastructure to disseminate accurate IST through Indian institutions and Legal Metrology laboratories.
The framework also provides for the use of NavIC, India’s satellite navigation system, alongside other approved Indian timing sources.
The initiative seeks to reduce reliance on foreign satellite-based timing systems by developing indigenous time-dissemination infrastructure for critical sectors.
As part of the effort, a White Rabbit Technology-based IST Dissemination Demonstration Network was commissioned at the Regional Reference Standard Laboratory in Bengaluru in July 2026.
The system has demonstrated IST dissemination for banking, telecommunications, power, transportation and digital governance.
Centre has also demonstrated secure IST dissemination between RRSL Bengaluru and NSE Chennai in collaboration with CSIR-NPL, ISRO, SEBI, NSE, BSNL and other stakeholders.
The 180-day transition period will allow stakeholders to assess systems, undertake technical modifications and prepare for compliance before the rules take effect.