Current Local Time in India

Timezone

“IST” or Indian Standard Time: UTC+5:30 (DST not observed)

IST is also known as the “Indian Standard Timezone” that is observed throughout the Republic of India.

The Indian Timezone is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of the Coordinated Universal Timezone (UTC) or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Daylight saving time in India

As far as other seasonal adjustments are concerned, India does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). However, it was used for quite some period of time during the second World War from 1942 to 1945, the China-India war that happened in 1962 also the Indo-Pakistani War that occurred in 1962 and 1971. The purpose was to reduce energy consumption in the civil areas of the country. 

What is E*? 

E*, also known as echo star, is a designation of IST used in the military and aviation time. 

Establishment of IST as a standard

IST was established as the official time throughout India after its independence in 1947 by the Union Government. In contrast, at that time, Kolkatta and Mumbai observed their local times called as Calcutta time and Bombay time till 1948 and 1955, respectively. 

The Central Observatory

Initially, the central observatory was located in Chennai, but then it was moved from this location to the Shankargarh Fort in Prayagraj district. This was done so that the IST would be as close as possible to the UTC+5:30. 

Generation of official time signals 

In New Delhi, there is a National Physical Laboratory that has a department for time and frequency standards, which generates time signals for both commercial and official use. The generated signals are based on the atomic clocks, which are well synchronized with the worldwide system of clocks, including the coordinated universal time (UTC) and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). 

Communication of time across India 

In order to communicate the Indian standard time across the country, the exact time is broadcast over the "All India Radio" along with Doordarshan Television Network.

There are some telecommunication companies that are responsible for conveying precise time to the people through their time servers. Another very popular and used means of obtaining accurate time in India is through Global Positioning System (GPS).

Older time zones used in India

There are several time zones that were used at some significant places in India but not anymore. These older timezones were: 

• Bombay Time: This timezone is 4 hours and 51 minutes ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+04:51) 
• Madras Time: This timezone is 5 hours and 21 minutes ahead of the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+5:21). 
• Calcutta Time: This timezone is 5 hours and 53 minutes ahead of the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+5:53). 
• Port Blair Meantime: This timezone is 6 hours and 10 minutes ahead of the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+6:10). 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How many time zones are observed in India? 

In India, only one timezone is observed across the whole country and its territories, known as the Indian standard time (IST). Indian standard time is approximately five and a half hours ahead of coordinated universal time (UTC). 

What is meant by Indian Standard Time, and why do we need it? 

In India, there exists a time difference or a time lag of almost 2 hours between the two main cities, Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh. To avoid this time discrepancy, Indian standard time is used all across the country. 

What is the location of the standard meridian in India? 

In India, the standard meridian passes through the west of the town of Mirzapur in the state of Uttar Pradesh and is calculated based on 82.5 degrees E longitude. 

Is India in a Pacific time zone? 

Pacific Standard Time (PST) is 8 hours behind the coordinated universal time (UTC-8:00) whereas Indian Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+5:30). So the accumulated time difference between IST and PST is 14:30 hours.

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