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The Economic Times
The Economic Times
National

India mandates IST as common time reference; gives 180-day window for compliance

The government has notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026, making Indian Standard Time (IST) the single reference point for legal, administrative, commercial and other official purposes across the country.

The consumer affairs ministry, which is the nodal ministry for the initiative, notified the rules on August 27. However, they will take effect 180 days after their publication in the official gazette, allowing government departments, businesses and institutions time to align their systems.

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