The National Metrology Conclave 2021, recently inaugurated by the Prime Minister, and coinciding with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory’s (CSIR-NPL) 75th anniversary, marked the commencement of the National Environmental Standards Laboratory. The conclave saw the dedication of the National Atomic Time Scale and the Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya Pranali to the nation. As defined by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), metrology is a crucial scientific discipline that focuses on accurate measurement implementation across all science and technology fields.
National Atomic Time Scale: Establishing a Unified Standard Time for India
The National Atomic Time Scale has successfully generated Indian Standard Time (IST) with an extraordinary precision of 2.8 nanoseconds. The location at 82°30′ E longitude has been adopted as India’s ‘standard meridian,’ against which IST is decided. The synchronization of IST with International Standard Time, within less than 3 nanoseconds accuracy, highlights the system’s incredible reliability.
CSIR-NPL, functioning as India’s National Measurement Institute, has the legislative authorization to establish and maintain IST. This responsibility involves consistently managing a National Primary Time Scale composed of ultra-stable atomic clocks. As part of its mission, CSIR-NPL aims to synchronize every clock in the country with IST to enhance the security of digital infrastructure and minimize cybercrime. This ambition to reinforce India’s national timing structure could potentially influence over 10% of the nation’s GDP positively.
Benefits of a Coordinated Time Scale
A unified standard time scale significantly benefits sectors that critically depend on precise timing. Organizations like the Indian Space Research Organisation, heavily relying on advanced technologies, will gain immeasurably from this achievement. Further beneficiaries include banking, railways, defense, health, telecommunications, weather forecasting, and disaster management sectors. Industrial sectors and associated services adopting Industry4.0 standards will witness heightened operational efficiency from this development.
Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya Pranali (BND): Ensuring Quality through Measurement
CSIR-NPL’s dedication to top-quality product manufacturing is evident in its development of Indian reference materials or Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya Pranali (BND). Adhering to SI traceable measurements, the BND ensures enhanced life quality for citizens by maintaining strict metrological standards.
Reference materials (RM) maintain an indispensable role in preserving any economy’s quality infrastructure by enabling testing and calibration with precise SI traceable measurements. Recently, NPLI released two vital certified RMs as BNDs for assessing gold purity and bituminous coal.
The Government of India has recently extended its support to NPLI in expanding its BND program, encouraging the development of BNDs in areas including AYUSH, Materials, Nanotechnology, Medicine, Food & Agriculture, and Biologics. The availability of SI traceable BNDs supports the “Make in India” initiative and harmonizes the country’s quality infrastructure.