NavIC system to provide accurate time reference, ensuring synchronisation across the country
NEW DELHI: India’s timekeeping system is set to undergo a significant transformation with the implementation of “one nation, one time.” The new system will rely on the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) satellite network to provide precise time references, linked directly to the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) for millisecond accuracy. This will replace the current system based on GPS, which often relies on multiple data sources reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Atomic clocks to be deployed across India for improved accuracy and national security
In the next few months, India will begin disseminating time from NPL Faridabad, which will then be shared through an optic fibre network to centres in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati, each equipped with atomic clocks. This move ensures that the time displayed on digital devices such as watches, smartphones, and laptops will be based on atomic clocks rather than GPS data, marking the shift to “one nation, one time.”
The journey of this project began after the Kargil war
The concept for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system was conceived after the Kargil war when India faced difficulty getting exact location data from foreign satellites.
Recognising the strategic importance, the government began working on this satellite system around seven years ago. According to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, most of the groundwork for the Times Dissemination Project has been completed, with atomic clocks now operational in Faridabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Bhubaneswar. The NPL Faridabad link with NavIC was successfully tested a few months ago, and the final synchronisation work is in progress.
What makes an atomic clock so accurate?
Atomic clocks, known for their exceptional precision, work by utilising specific resonance frequencies of atoms. Their accuracy is so remarkable that these clocks lose only one second every 100 million years.
Benefits of India’s new time system
Former Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh highlighted the national security advantages of this project, which will create India’s own precise time distribution network. This will reduce dependency on foreign systems, benefiting critical sectors like power grids, telecommunications, banking, defence, and transportation by ensuring synchronised operations and resilience against cyber threats.
Transition to one-time standard underway
As technical preparations continue, the Consumer Affairs Department has notified draft rules that mandate the use of Indian Standard Time (IST) as the sole time reference for all legal, administrative, commercial, and official documents nationwide. Exceptions will be permitted only for fields such as astronomy, navigation, and scientific research, subject to government approval.
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