India, Aug. 30 -- The government has notified rules making Indian Standard Time (IST) the single reference for legal, administrative, commercial and other official purposes across the country, with stakeholders being given 180 days to align their systems with the new requirement.

The Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 were notified by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the nodal ministry, on August 27. They will come into force 180 days after their publication in the official gazette.

The transition period is intended to give government departments, businesses and other institutions time to make the necessary technical changes and ensure compliance.

The move comes at a time when digital and technology-driven systems are ...