CENTRE DRAFTS RULES FOR UNIFORM IST ADOPTION

 GS 1 – GEOGRAPHY

Time Zone: IST (UTC+05:30) was adopted in 1906 and standardized post-independence at 82°30’E near Mirzapur.

Key Provisions:

• Exclusive Use of IST: Mandates IST for all official and commercial activities.
• Time-Synchronisation Systems: Establish mechanisms to ensure precise and secure timekeeping.

Importance of Standard Timekeeping:

• Sectors Benefited: Banking, telecommunications, defence, and emerging technologies like 5G and IoT.
• National Efficiency: Uniform timing improves infrastructure reliability.

Challenges:

• Geographical Discrepancies: Eastern and western regions experience significant time differences.
• Resistance to Multiple Time Zones: Concerns over unity and operational complexities persist.

Future Prospects:

• Multiple Time Zones: Proposals for Eastern India Time (EIT) are under review.
• Collaborations: Partnerships with ISRO and the National Physical Laboratory aim to improve IST implementation.