India to switch to ‘one nation, one time’ with NavIC-linked atomic clocks
New Delhi: India is set to overhaul its timekeeping system, transitioning from GPS-based synchronization to a more precise method using the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) linked with atomic clocks. This shift, expected in the coming months, will ensure that Indian Standard Time (IST) is maintained with millisecond accuracy through a network managed by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).
The NPL, located in Faridabad, will receive reference time directly from NavIC satellites. This time will be distributed through optical fibre links to regional centres in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati. Each of these centres is equipped with atomic clocks to maintain ultra-accurate time.
Once fully operational, devices such as smartphones and laptops will rely on this unified time system rather than pulling data from various GPS-linked sources. This move is part of the government’s plan to establish “one nation, one time,” bringing greater consistency and precision to timekeeping across the country.
The initiative was conceived after the Kargil War when India’s reliance on foreign satellite data highlighted the need for an independent navigation system. The project has been under development for approximately seven years, and most of the technical groundwork has already been completed. Atomic clocks are now installed at four regional centres, with a successful test of the NavIC link with NPL conducted a few months ago.
Currently, work is underway to align the clocks across all centres with the Faridabad facility, with adjustments being made to account for any data transfer delays via optical fibre cables. Atomic clocks, known for their unmatched precision, lose only one second every 100 million years, making them ideal for this project.
Critical sectors like power grids, telecommunications, banking, defense, and transportation will greatly benefit from synchronized operations, improving efficiency and resilience against cyber threats. Additionally, new draft rules have been issued, making IST the official time reference for legal, administrative, commercial, and official purposes across the country. However, exceptions will apply to fields like astronomy, navigation, and scientific research, with prior government approval required.
Penalties will be imposed for violations of these new rules, ensuring compliance with the updated time standard.
