India is set to transition to a more precise timekeeping system with the deployment of atomic clocks linked to the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC). This move will establish an independent time reference system, reducing reliance on GPS-based Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Currently, digital devices sync time from multiple sources linked to GPS satellites. With the new system, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Faridabad will receive time signals from NavIC, which will then be distributed via optic fiber links to four regional centers in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati. Each center will host an atomic clock to ensure nationwide synchronization.
Atomic clocks, known for their extreme accuracy, lose only one second every 100 million years. Their deployment will enhance national security and benefit sectors such as power grids, telecommunications, banking, and defense by ensuring synchronized operations and resilience against cyber threats.
The project stems from strategic concerns identified after the Kargil war, where India lacked access to precise foreign satellite data. Work on the initiative accelerated seven years ago, and most infrastructure, including atomic clocks in key centers, is now in place. The NavIC link with NPL Faridabad was successfully tested recently.
To facilitate the transition, the Consumer Affairs Department has notified draft rules mandating Indian Standard Time (IST) as the sole legal time reference for official, commercial, and administrative purposes. Limited exceptions will apply to fields like astronomy and navigation, subject to government approval. Non-compliance may attract penalties.
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