Swift Release of Legal Metrology Regulations to Establish Accurate Indian Time

New Delhi: On Monday, the government issued new regulations to align all Indian timekeeping systems with homegrown atomic clocks, aiming to provide Indian Standard Time with “millisecond to nanosecond precision.”

The draft Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025, released by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), seeks to promote consistency and accuracy in timekeeping. According to a government press statement, this initiative will lead to the vision of ‘One Nation, One Time.’

Mint originally covered this potential development on 27 March 2024.

At present, most software systems in India depend on US-based Network Time Protocol servers. This new regulation will require all software to synchronize with native atomic clocks, thus ensuring uniformity in time – which is especially crucial during conflict situations.

Created in partnership with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and ISRO, the draft regulations aim to build a regulatory framework for One Nation, One Time.

This new framework will leverage advanced infrastructure, including five legal metrology laboratories distributed across India to align systems and networks with IST, as stated.

Legal metrology encompasses the application of legal requirements to measurements and measuring instruments.

Once fully executed, all computers, smartphones, digital watches, and digital radios will be calibrated to Indian time under the management of NPL and the Regional Reference Standard Laboratories of the consumer affairs ministry.

Currently, only four other nations—namely, the US, UK, Japan, and South Korea—operate their own atomic clocks.

Significance of the Initiative

Precise timekeeping is vital for navigation, telecommunications, power distribution, finance, and technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT). As of now, many telecommunications and internet service providers rely on international time references like GPS, which could jeopardize and undermine real-time operations.

The draft rules incorporate provisions to avert disruptions and permit exceptions for scientific, astronomical, and navigational purposes with governmental consent. Regular audits and penalties for non-compliance are also contemplated, with an open period for public feedback lasting until 14 February.

Compliance will be overseen through periodic audits, and sanctions for violations will be enforced. The regulations also detail the synchronization methods, implementation protocols, and accuracy standards, ensuring comprehensive alignment with IST throughout the country.

“The implementation of these rules is anticipated to streamline financial operations, enhance industrial efficiency, and improve the synchronization of national infrastructure and communication networks. Increased accuracy in areas including 5G technology, power systems, and navigation platforms is expected to foster technological integration and boost global competitiveness,” the government press release stated.

A high-level committee was established to tackle these challenges by formulating policies and regulations for endorsing IST under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. Chaired by the secretary of Consumer Affairs, the committee comprises representatives from NPL, ISRO, IIT Kanpur, NIC, CERT-In, Sebi, and vital government entities such as Railways, Telecom, and Financial Services.

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The committee convened discussions to draft regulations around adopting IST, establish guidelines for network synchronization, and develop frameworks for time-stamping, cybersecurity, and monitoring the advancement of the IST initiative using cutting-edge technology.