The Department of Consumer Affairs has introduced the Draft Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025, which aim to standardize and mandate the use of Indian Standard Time (IST) across all sectors in India. Published for public consultation on January 15, the rules are being developed in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The initiative seeks to provide IST with millisecond to microsecond accuracy, crucial for sectors like telecommunications, navigation, power grid synchronization, banking, and digital governance.
India to Mandate Indian Standard Time (IST) for Nationwide Synchronization
Despite its importance, many Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) still rely on foreign time sources such as GPS for synchronization. The new rules aim to close this gap by mandating the use of IST nationwide, facilitating seamless operation of critical infrastructure. The rules will require government offices, public institutions, and private entities to synchronize operations using protocols like Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP), with exceptions for scientific and astronomical purposes, subject to government approval.
A high-level inter-ministerial committee, including representatives from NPL, ISRO, IIT Kanpur, and various government departments, has worked on drafting these rules. The regulations are expected to enhance operational efficiency and technological integration across multiple sectors, improving national security, digital governance, and financial transactions. They will also support advancements in 5G, AI, and IoT by ensuring precise time synchronization.
Public Consultation Open for Draft IST Rules with Compliance Audits and Penalties
Penalties will be enforced for violations, and audits will ensure compliance. The draft rules are open for public consultation until February 14, inviting feedback from industry stakeholders and the public. This move is set to benefit India by strengthening critical sectors and improving services for consumers nationwide.
