Centre’s ‘One Nation, One Time’ push: IST to become single official reference

The Centre has notified new rules making Indian Standard Time (IST) the country’s single reference for legal, administrative, commercial and other official purposes.

The Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 were notified by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs on August 27. However, they will take effect 180 days after being published in the official gazette, giving government departments, businesses and institutions time to update their systems.

One time standard for official systems

The move comes as an increasing number of services rely on accurate and synchronised timestamps. Banking and digital payments, telecommunications, Railways, power grids and computer networks all depend on precise timekeeping.

The Ministry said differences between various time sources currently being used can affect the coordination and recording of such activities. A common reference is intended to ensure consistent timestamps across critical services.

According to the Ministry, the standardisation will support banking and digital payment transactions, transport operations involving railways and airports, telecommunications and internet networks, power systems, government and legal records, as well as emergency and other time-sensitive services.

Push to use Indian timing sources

The rules also seek to reduce dependence on foreign satellite-based timing sources used by several critical systems.

The government is developing infrastructure to distribute accurate IST through Indian institutions and legal metrology laboratories. The rules provide for the use of NavIC, India's indigenous satellite navigation system, and other approved Indian timing sources for secure time dissemination.

White Rabbit technology tested

The initiative is part of the government's 'One Nation, One Time' programme. In July 2026, the ministry commissioned a White Rabbit Technology-based IST Dissemination Demonstration Network at the Regional Reference Standard Laboratory (RRSL) in Bengaluru.

The pilot demonstrated the distribution of IST across sectors including banking, telecommunications, power, transportation and digital governance.

In another demonstration, the ministry worked with CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Isro, Sebi, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSNL to transmit IST securely between RRSL Bengaluru and NSE Chennai.

The 180-day transition period will allow stakeholders to assess their existing systems, make technical changes and prepare for the new rules before they come into force.