Demonstration Network enables secure and highly accurate dissemination of Indian Standard Time for critical infrastructure
The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, commissioned the White Rabbit Technology-based Indian Standard Time (IST) Dissemination Demonstration Network at the Regional Reference Standard Laboratory (RRSL), Bengaluru, on 16 July 2026.
Developed jointly by the Department of Consumer Affairs, CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (CSIR–NPL) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Demonstration Network enables secure dissemination of UTC (NPLI)-traceable Indian Standard Time using Precision Time Protocol (PTP)-based White Rabbit Technology.
Key Features of the Demonstration Network
- Enables secure dissemination of UTC (NPLI)-traceable Indian Standard Time.
- Uses Precision Time Protocol (PTP)-based White Rabbit Technology.
- Provides highly accurate, secure and resilient time synchronisation.
- Designed for critical sectors such as:
- Banking and financial markets
- Telecommunications
- Power systems
- Transportation
- Digital governance
- Other strategic infrastructure
The Union Minister also informed that the Department of Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with CSIR–NPL, ISRO, SEBI, the National Stock Exchange (NSE), BSNL and other stakeholders, has successfully completed the verification of secure dissemination of Indian Standard Time between RRSL Bengaluru and NSE Chennai using White Rabbit Technology.
Earlier in the day, Pralhad Joshi visited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bengaluru, to review the progress of the Indian Standard Time Dissemination Project being implemented by the Department of Consumer Affairs in collaboration with CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (CSIR–NPL), ISRO and other stakeholder institutions.
During the visit, the Union Minister reviewed the facilities developed for dissemination of Indian Standard Time and interacted with scientists and engineers associated with the project. He appreciated ISRO’s contribution to developing an indigenous, secure and resilient time dissemination infrastructure and acknowledged its collaboration with the Department of Consumer Affairs and CSIR–National Physical Laboratory in advancing the Government’s “One Nation, One Time” initiative.
Pralhad Joshi said that accurate and secure dissemination of Indian Standard Time is emerging as an important digital public infrastructure for the country. He stated that a trusted national time source would:
- Strengthen consumer protection.
- Support fair trade.
- Enhance cyber resilience.
- Improve the reliability of financial markets.
- Improve telecommunications and power systems.
- Strengthen digital governance.
He added that the initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to technological self-reliance and the vision of Viksit Bharat. Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Smt. Nidhi Khare, said that the Indian Standard Time Dissemination Project is an important step towards establishing a secure, resilient and indigenous national time synchronisation framework. She noted that, together with ongoing reforms in Legal Metrology, the initiative would Strengthen consumer confidence, Support ease of doing business, Contribute to India’s digital transformation.
The Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi congratulated the scientists, engineers and technical teams of ISRO, CSIR–National Physical Laboratory, RRSL Bengaluru and all partner institutions for achieving another milestone under the “One Nation, One Time” initiative. He expressed confidence that the project would strengthen India’s technological capabilities, reduce dependence on foreign timing sources, support critical digital infrastructure and position India among the leading nations in precision time dissemination.
The visit was attended by Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO; Shri Raghavendra M. R., Director, ISTRAC, ISRO; Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs; senior scientists and officers from ISRO, the Department of Consumer Affairs and CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (CSIR–NPL); and representatives from BSNL, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
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RT/ SB / ARC
