Polity & Governance GS 2 In the news 3 times

Legal Metrology Act, 2009

Statutory Basis for IST

The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 governs weights, measures, and standards of measurement in India, and came into force on 1 April 2011, replacing the earlier Standards of Weights and Measures Act. The new IST rules are notified as subordinate legislation (rules) under this Act, which is what gives IST the force of law for the first time rather than being merely a scientific/administrative convention.

Key details

Legal Metrology Act enacted 2009; in force from 1 April 2011
Administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
The Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 were notified under this Act's rule-making powers
Rules take effect 180 days after Gazette publication (targeted around March 2027)

In the news

● Tracked since May 20, 2026 · last seen August 31, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

31 Aug '26

'One Nation, One Time': IST Made the Legally Enforceable Common Time Reference

Science & Technology

30 Aug '26

IST Made India's Common Time Reference: 'One Nation, One Time' Rules Notified

Science & Technology

20 May '26

India's Metrology Ecosystem: Legal Metrology Act 2009, SI Units, and Consumer Protection

Polity & Governance

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