Daylight Saving Time (DST):

GS 1-Geography 

• Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice where clocks are advanced by one hour during the summer months and set back in autumn to maximize the use of daylight.
• This system allows for longer evenings, potentially reducing the need for artificial lighting and optimizing the daylight available for activities.
• India, however, does not observe DST, as countries located closer to the Equator experience minimal variation in the length of daylight between seasons.

Purpose and Benefits of DST:

• Supporters of DST argue that it offers extended daylight hours in the evening, allowing people to finish their workday earlier and still benefit from more natural daylight.
• This can lead to a decrease in energy consumption. The concept was first implemented by Germany and Austria during World War I in 1916 to reduce energy use by limiting artificial lighting. Over time, many countries adopted the practice. In the European Union, for example, clocks are set forward on the last Sunday of March and moved back on the last Sunday of October.

Challenges and Drawbacks of DST:

• Despite its advantages, DST is associated with several negative effects. Studies, including those from Popular Science magazine, have found that the transition can increase the risk of fatal accidents, with fatal crash rates rising by 5.4% to 7.6% in the week following the time change.
• Additionally, workplace injuries are more common, leading to higher absenteeism. Other research has linked DST to a decline in stock market performance and disruptions to the circadian rhythm, causing health issues due to sleep deprivation.