Dharmendra Pradhan proposes ‘Mahakal Standard Time’, suggests revisiting IST framework

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has proposed the introduction of a new global time standard, “Mahakal Standard Time” (MST), suggesting that existing frameworks such as Indian Standard Time (IST) could be revisited.

Speaking at an international conference in Ujjain, Pradhan argued that the ancient city historically served as a centre for time calculation and should be recognised globally for its scientific and cultural significance.

He suggested that “Mahakal Standard Time” could replace Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is currently used as a global reference for timekeeping. The minister described GMT as a colonial-era construct and called for a shift towards systems rooted in India’s historical knowledge traditions.

Pradhan said the proposal is aimed at recognising India’s contributions to astronomy and timekeeping, noting that ancient calculations were linked to celestial movements and geographic positioning associated with Ujjain.

Alongside the global proposal, he also indicated that India’s existing time calculation framework could be re-examined, opening the possibility of changes to how time is standardised within the country.

The proposal was made during the “Mahakal: The Master of Time” international conference, where discussions focused on the intersection of science, history, and traditional knowledge systems.

However, the idea has drawn mixed reactions. Critics have questioned the feasibility of replacing established global standards, pointing out that any such change would require international consensus and scientific validation.

At present, GMT and its successor frameworks continue to serve as the global basis for timekeeping, and no formal process has been initiated to adopt the proposed system.