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31-January-2025-Editorial

January 31 @ 7:00 am - 11:30 pm

ONE NATION, ONE TIME

The Department of Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has proposed the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2025.

These rules aim to standardize Indian Standard Time (IST) across all sectors, reinforcing the national vision of “One Nation, One Time.”

Key Features of the Legal Metrology (IST) Rules, 2025

Mandatory Adoption of IST:

  • IST will become the only legally recognized time reference in India, as maintained by CSIR-NPL.
  • Foreign time references, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) time, will only be used with government approval.

Synchronization Across Critical Sectors:

  • Government agencies, financial institutions, telecom providers, power grids, and digital infrastructure must align their systems with IST.

Regulatory Framework and Compliance:

  • Periodic audits will monitor adherence to IST synchronization.
  • Penalties will be imposed for non-compliance, ensuring strict implementation.

Special Provisions:

  • Specific sectors such as scientific research, astronomy, and navigation can use alternate time references with prior government approval.
  • Strategic and national security applications may also use different time systems under special circumstances.

Indian Standard Time (IST)

Foundation of IST:

  • IST is based on a longitude of 82.5°, passing through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.
  • IST is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), now known as Universal Coordinated Time (UTC).
  • Established in 1906, IST replaced three regional time zones from the British colonial era—Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras Time.

One Nation, One Time Initiative:

  • This initiative seeks to provide a unified time system for all sectors, making time synchronization accurate and reliable nationwide.
  • Five new Legal Metrology laboratories will be established to achieve microsecond-level accuracy in time dissemination across the country.
  • Need for Self-Reliance: Dependence on GPS, which is controlled by the US, has raised concerns over national security and cybersecurity risks, as seen during the 1999 Kargil War. A self-reliant timekeeping system is crucial for reducing dependency and securing critical infrastructure.

Role of NPL and Timekeeping Technology:

  • The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) will utilize atomic clocks to provide accurate time, synchronized through India’s own satellite system, NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation).
  • NPL’s atomic clocks are highly precise, with deviations of only one second over millions of years. These clocks will serve as the reference for IST.

Time Synchronization Mechanisms:

  • Protocols like Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) will be adopted across government and public systems for time synchronization.

Benefits of One Nation, One Time

  • Improved Precision in Critical Sectors: Enhanced synchronization will benefit sectors like 5G technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), navigation, and power grid management.
  • Enhanced Financial and Regulatory Compliance: Accurate timekeeping will help in reducing fraud, improving financial transactions, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
  • Boost to Digital Infrastructure: By aligning with global timekeeping standards, this initiative will enhance India’s digital infrastructure, attracting more international investment in technology.
  • Global Alignment: Aligning with international best practices in timekeeping and synchronization will ensure India’s competitiveness in global aviation, telecommunications, and other sectors reliant on precise time.

CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

NPL is one of India’s oldest national laboratories, founded in 1947 and inaugurated in 1950 by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

It is responsible for maintaining and realizing the units of physical measurement as per the International System (SI units), including the metre, kilogram, second, kelvin, ampere, and candela.

Role in Timekeeping:

  • NPL is responsible for maintaining Indian Standard Time (IST) and is instrumental in developing advanced atomic clocks used for time synchronization.
  • The laboratory employs Cesium atomic clocks and Hydrogen masers for precision frequency measurement.

Key Contributions:

  • Provides calibration services and supports the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
  • NPL’s research contributes to improving the accuracy and reliability of timekeeping in India.

Challenges in Implementing One Nation, One Time

Adoption by Telecom and ISPs:

  • Telecom operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) primarily depend on foreign time sources, so transitioning to IST requires significant technological upgrades and regulatory measures.

Global Integration:

  • India’s businesses engaged in international trade and financial markets require synchronization with global time systems like UTC or GMT.
  • Mechanisms for dual compliance with global and national time standards need to be established.

Infrastructure Development:

  • Ensuring that time synchronization systems function effectively across the entire country, especially in remote and underserved areas, presents logistical and technical challenges.

Cybersecurity Concerns:

  • Time synchronization systems could become potential targets for cyberattacks. Therefore, robust security measures, including encryption and backup systems, will be essential.

Way Forward

Cybersecurity Measures:

  • Secure encryption and backup systems will protect time synchronization networks from cyber threats and ensure uninterrupted service.

Centralized Monitoring Authority:

  • A dedicated monitoring body should be established to oversee the implementation of IST synchronization and ensure compliance across all sectors.

Promoting Awareness:

  • Educational campaigns should inform industries, financial institutions, and public services about the benefits of IST and its role in improving operational efficiency.
  • Collaborating with global standardization bodies will help in integrating IST with international time systems.

Research and Development:

  • Investment in R&D is necessary to enhance the accuracy and reliability of timekeeping systems and ensure that India remains at the forefront of global time synchronization advancements.

Conclusion

The Legal Metrology (IST) Rules, 2025, mark a significant step toward achieving time standardization and synchronization across India. With the adoption of IST, the country aims to enhance national security, boost technological infrastructure, and improve economic and regulatory accuracy. While challenges remain in implementation, with proper measures in place, the initiative holds the potential to modernize India’s timekeeping systems and align with global standards.

Details

Date:
January 31
Time:
7:00 am - 11:30 pm
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