Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026: Unified Time Reference

Key facts

• The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026.
• The rules become effective 180 days after publication in the Official Gazette.
• The rules establish Indian Standard Time (IST) as the unified time reference for legal, administrative, commercial, and other official purposes.
• The rules aim to ensure accurate time for banking, digital payments, power systems, railways, telecom, internet, and government records.
• The government will use Indian institutions, including NavIC and other approved Indian time sources, to provide IST, reducing dependence on foreign satellite-based time sources.
• A demonstration network using White Rabbit Technology was commissioned in July 2026 at the Regional Reference Standard Laboratory (RRSL) as part of the 'One Nation, One Time' initiative, with collaboration from CSIR-NPL, ISRO, SEBI, NSE, and BSNL.