Department of Consumer Affairs Notifies Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026

The Department of Consumer Affairs notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026, on 27 August 2026, which will come into force after 180 days. These rules establish Indian Standard Time (IST) as the common time reference across the country for legal, administrative, commercial, and official purposes. The initiative aims to support digital payments, telecommunications, railways, power systems, and government records by ensuring consistent and accurate time-stamping. Additionally, the rules provide for utilizing NavIC and other approved Indian timing sources for time dissemination, reducing dependence on foreign sources. A White Rabbit Technology-based IST Dissemination Demonstration Network was commissioned at RRSL Bengaluru in July 2026 under the 'One Nation, One Time' initiative.