Synopsis
The Centre has proposed Draft Legal Metrology Rules to standardize Indian Standard Time (IST) across the nation, enhancing precision for various sectors and aiming for a unified timekeeping system under the 'One Nation, One Time' initiative.Key Takeaways
- Indian Standard Time (IST) to be mandated across all sectors.
- Collaboration with NPL and ISRO for precision dissemination.
- Exceptions for scientific purposes with government approval.
- Public consultation until February 14.
- Regular audits and penalties for non-compliance.
New Delhi, Jan 27 (NationPress) The Centre's Department of Consumer Affairs announced the notification of the Draft Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025, aimed at synchronizing time nationwide to achieve the goal of ‘One Nation, One Time’.
These groundbreaking regulations are designed to standardize and enforce the use of Indian Standard Time (IST) across various sectors, offering a cohesive and accurate timekeeping system for strategic, industrial, non-strategic, and societal purposes, as stated by an official announcement.
The precision of this timekeeping system is crucial for sectors such as navigation, telecommunications, power grid synchronization, banking, digital governance, and advanced scientific research, including deep space navigation and gravitational wave detection.
Despite its significance, IST is not universally adopted by all telecom service providers (TSPs) and internet service providers (ISPs), many of whom depend on international time sources like GPS.
Aligning all networks and systems to IST is critical for national security, real-time applications, and the seamless functioning of vital infrastructure, the statement emphasized.
The draft rules are available on the Department's website for public feedback, with comments accepted until February 14.
The Department of Consumer Affairs has collaborated with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to promote IST with precision ranging from milliseconds to microseconds.
This initiative aims to establish technology and infrastructure to disseminate IST from five legal metrology labs across India.
A powerful inter-ministerial committee was previously established to formulate a policy framework, regulations, and legislation for the adoption of IST under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
The draft rules permit exceptions for scientific, astronomical, and navigational purposes with prior government consent. Compliance will be regularly reviewed through audits, with penalties for breaches, as indicated by the government.
These regulations will enhance the accuracy of financial transactions, assist in emergency response coordination, and ensure reliable scheduling of public transport.
