Time zones in India: Benefit & Challenges of Two Time Zones - UPSC Notes

Time zones in India refer to the different regions within the country where time is measured according to the Indian Standard Time (IST). Since India covers several degrees of longitude because of its large geographical size, the question arises whether India should have more than one time zone. The country, however, follows a single time zone across its entire expanse, which is Indian Standard Time (IST), set at UTC+5:30. This system, though it simplifies the calculation of time across the nation, also raises debates about the need for a time zone adjustment in certain regions. The discussion of time zones in India involves understanding its historical context, the current system, and the pros and cons of having a single time zone or adopting multiple time zones.

This is a topic which primarily comes in the UPSC Civil Services Examination under General Studies Paper 1. This falls under the heading of Indian Geography. It will be relevant to the candidates who understand administrative decisions, regional development, and geographical peculiarities in the country.

Download the Daily Current Affairs PDF for UPSC Preparation!

What is Time Zone?

A time zone is the area of the Earth that has the same standard time, generally based on the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun. The world is divided into 24 time zones, representing a specific longitudinal region where the time is standardized. Time zones are typically defined by their difference in hours and minutes from the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is the reference point for all timekeeping around the world. These time zones ensure that people across different regions of the world follow a common time system that corresponds with the Earth's rotation.

Time Zones in India

Although it is technically possible to have several time zones in India as it has a physical spread from east to west of more than 29 degrees of longitude, the country is under one time zone known as Indian Standard Time (IST). Though the Sun rises when it sets somewhere else in India, the whole nation follows the same time. The eastern regions, such as Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, experience sunrise much earlier than the western regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan. Despite this, India continues to use the same time zone, which is UTC +5:30.

Read the article on the Difference Between GMT and IST!

History Behind Time Zones in India

The history of time zones in India dates back to the British colonial period. Before the adoption of a standardized time system, different regions in India followed local mean time (LMT). The British introduced the concept of a single time zone in India during the colonial era to facilitate better administration and synchronization of train schedules, communication, and other official matters. The Indian Standard Time was formally adopted in 1905, based on which it was set 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT. This remained as the system even after gaining independence for the country. India continues its use of IST even today.

Indian Standard Time (IST)

Indian Standard Time refers to the time of the entire nation of India and Sri Lanka. It is UTC +5:30, meaning it is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. IST is calculated based on the mean time of the Allahabad Observatory (now in Uttar Pradesh), situated near the Prime Meridian. The time zone has been in use since the British colonial era, and while India spans several degrees of longitude, IST has been kept as a single standard time for the entire country.

Read the article on the Latitude & Longitude of India!

Challenges Associated with a Single Time Zone

There are several challenges associated with following a single time zone in a country as large as India:

• India spans a vast longitudinal range, leading to a situation where the eastern parts experience sunrise and sunset much earlier than the western parts. This results in inefficient use of daylight, particularly in the western regions.
• Due to the misalignment between the time of sunrise and sunset and working hours in the western regions, energy consumption increases, as offices, industries, and homes may need artificial lighting for longer periods.
• On account of the influence of sunlight, the body tends to work according to its circadian rhythm. In Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, people wake up even at very early hours just to match the working hours set by IST. This is then causing a disconnection in their biological clock.
• The time mismatch may result in affecting their routine and, more notably, in the nature of industries like agriculture, where their direct natural daylight productivity matters the most.

Read the article on the Difference Between Physical and Human Geography!

Why Doesn’t India Have Two Time Zones?

The primary reason India has chosen to follow a single time zone is administrative simplicity. The government believes that a single time zone ensures synchronization in the functioning of the entire nation, simplifying business operations, communication, and transportation systems. Having two time zones might cause complications in scheduling, communication, and record-keeping. A single time zone also ensures that there is no confusion in national-level coordination.

Benefits of Two Time Zones in India

Those who think two time zones in India will remove many problems with the system are faced with these benefits:

• Eastern parts of India, such as Arunachal Pradesh, would benefit from a time zone that better aligns with the position of the sun, leading to more daylight hours during the working day.
• A regional time zone would lower energy consumption in the western part of India. Offices and business will start at morning hours with sunlight, meaning that artificial light is not as much required for a long time.
• A second time zone may help India share its time frame with its neighboring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh for easy coordination at borders.
• People in the eastern regions would wake up with the sun and be more productive, especially in agriculture-related sectors.

Download the NCERT Notes on Geography for UPSC Exam!

Disadvantages of Having Two Time Zones in India

There are several disadvantages of having two time zones in India. These include:

• The introduction of two time zones would create confusion in transportation schedules, communication systems, and business operations that currently operate on a unified time.
• Having two time zones would increase the administrative and managerial complexities, particularly in the context of national coordination between state governments, federal institutions, and private organizations.
• A dual time zone could create inequalities in daily routines and social interaction, which could lead to potential confusion in personal and professional activities.
• Changing the time zone system would incur great costs for upgrading infrastructure, reformatting schedules, and recalibrating devices across the country.

Attempt the UPSC Mock Test now!

List of Different Time Zones in the World

The world can be divided into 24 different time zones around the globe in accordance with Earth's rotation. Most of the worldwide major time zones are as mentioned below:

Practice the UPSC Test Series here!

Download the Key Takeaways PDF for Time Zones in India!

Testbook is one of the fastest-growing e-learning platforms for competitive exam preparations. Download the Testbook App now!