Context:
Department of Consumer Affairs in collaboration with the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Physical Laboratory (CSIR – NPL) and ISRO, has drafted the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time (IST)) Rules, 2025.
Legal Metrology (IST) Rules, 2025:
- Objective: Standardize and mandate the adoption of Indian Standard Time (IST) across all sectors, reinforcing the vision of “One Nation, One Time.”
- Mandatory Adoption of IST: IST, maintained by CSIR-NPL, will be the only legally recognized time standard in India.
- The use of foreign time references (e.g., GPS time) will be prohibited unless specifically approved by the government.
- Synchronization of Critical Sectors: All government institutions, financial entities, telecom service providers, power grids, and digital infrastructure must synchronize their systems with IST.
- Regulatory Framework & Compliance: Compliance will be monitored through periodic audits, and penalties will be imposed for non-adherence.
- Special Provisions: The rules provide flexibility for strategic and national security applications.
- Scientific research, astronomy, and navigational applications may use alternative time references with prior government approval.
Indian Standard Time (IST):
- Based on a longitude of 82.5° East, which passes through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.
- IST is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), now called Universal Coordinated Time (UTC).
- Established in 1906, replacing 3 regional time zones from the British era (Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras Time).
One Nation, One Time:
- About: Aims to establish a unified and precise timekeeping framework for all governmental, industrial, technological, and societal applications.
- Laboratories: The government plans to set up 5 Legal Metrology laboratories across India to achieve microsecond-level accuracy in time dissemination.
- Need for Self-reliant Timekeeping: India’s reliance on GPS satellites (controlled by the US) poses national security and cybersecurity risks.
- Function: NPL will utilize atomic clocks to provide accurate time, synchronized via NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation).
Source: BS
Previous Year Question
Which one the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Australia
(b) Canada
(c) Israel
(d) Japan
Answer: (d)