Government to Mandate IST Adoption Nationwide with New Legal Metrology Rules

Aiming to establish precision and uniformity in Indian Standard Time (IST), the Department of Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has launched an ambitious project to disseminate IST with millisecond to microsecond accuracy. The initiative involves developing technology and infrastructure to deliver IST through five Legal Metrology laboratories strategically located across India.

This project is vital for key sectors like navigation, telecommunications, power grid synchronization, banking, digital governance, and advanced scientific research, including deep space navigation and gravitational wave detection. Despite its importance, IST is not yet universally adopted by Telecom and Internet Service Providers, many of whom rely on foreign time sources like GPS. The government aims to address this issue by mandating IST synchronization across all networks and systems, which is crucial for national security and smooth operation of critical infrastructure.

To achieve this, a high-power inter-ministerial committee chaired by the Secretary (Consumer Affairs) has been formed. This committee includes representatives from NPL, ISRO, IIT Kanpur, NIC, CERT-In, SEBI, and other major government departments. Its mandate is to develop a policy framework, regulations, and legislation under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, to enforce IST adoption. Key areas under discussion include synchronization guidelines, regulatory frameworks for time-stamping, cybersecurity, and monitoring the progress of the IST dissemination project.

The Draft Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025, were published on January 15, 2025, for public consultation, with comments invited until February 14, 2025. The proposed rules aim to mandate IST as the uniform time reference for all sectors, prohibiting the use of alternative time standards unless explicitly approved. A robust framework for precise synchronization through protocols like Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is outlined, along with resilience measures against cyber-attacks or disruptions.

Key Provisions:

• Mandatory IST Adoption: Legal, administrative, and commercial activities must align with IST, maintained by the CSIR-NPL.
• Synchronization Requirements: Guidelines for network synchronization to ensure operational uniformity.
• Cybersecurity Measures: Protocols to safeguard timekeeping systems against cyber threats.
• Exemptions: Granted for scientific, astronomical, and navigational purposes with prior approval.
• Compliance Monitoring: Regular audits and penalties for non-compliance.

Benefits:

The rules promise wide-ranging benefits, including accurate financial transactions, improved coordination in emergency responses, and consistent scheduling of public transportation. They will enhance operational efficiency across industries, synchronize manufacturing processes, and bolster global competitiveness. The standardized timekeeping system will also support advanced technologies like 5G, AI, IoT, and navigation systems, benefiting consumers through reliable digital services.

By implementing these comprehensive rules, the Government of India is advancing its vision of "One Nation, One Time," laying the groundwork for economic efficiency, technological progress, and strategic security.