New Delhi · National Capital Territory · India
Current Time in New Delhi (Delhi)
NTP-synced live clock · IST … — no daylight saving time · Weather, world clock comparison & complete city guide
UTC Offset…
DST Active…
vs. London…
Metro Population~32M
The current time in New Delhi, the capital of India, is displayed live above, synchronised with international NTP servers.
Delhi operates permanently on IST (India Standard Time, …)
— India is one of the few large countries in the world that never observes daylight saving time.
…
The IANA time zone identifier is Asia/Kolkata, used for the whole of India — the same zone for Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai alike.
IST has a distinctive 30-minute offset from the full hour (UTC+5:30 rather than UTC+5 or UTC+6).
Delhi sits at 77°E longitude — to the west of the IST reference meridian (82°30'E) — meaning the sun
rises and sets somewhat earlier relative to the clock than in eastern India.
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New Delhi Time vs. World Cities – Live Comparison
| City | Current Time | Time Zone | vs. New Delhi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 New Delhi | … | … | ±0 |
| 🇬🇧 London | … | … | … |
| 🇺🇸 New York | … | … | … |
| 🇺🇸 Los Angeles | … | … | … |
| 🇩🇪 Berlin | … | … | … |
| 🇦🇪 Dubai | … | … | … |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | … | … | … |
| 🇨🇳 Shanghai | … | … | … |
| 🇯🇵 Tokyo | … | … | … |
| 🇦🇺 Sydney | … | … | … |
| 🇺🇸 Chicago | … | … | … |
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India Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30) – India's Single Fixed Time Zone
🚫 India never observes daylight saving time — IST (…) is identical every day of the year
🌐 Year-Round
IST — …
India Standard Time
Stable 365 days a year
IANA time zone:
Stable 365 days a year
IANA time zone:
Asia/Kolkata
⌟ Half-Hour Offset
UTC+5:30
Delhi lies at 77°E — west of the IST reference meridian (82°30'E). India adopted UTC+5:30 as a single national zone in 1947, a geographic compromise spanning ~30° of longitude across the subcontinent
💡 Why does India use UTC+5:30 and never change its clocks? India spans roughly 30° of longitude (from ~68°E to ~97°E) — wide enough for two time zones in theory. At independence in 1947, a single national time zone, UTC+5:30, was chosen as a symbol of unity. The 30-minute offset dates from 1906 under British India as a geographic midpoint. India briefly used DST during WWII (1942) and the 1962 and 1965 wars, but permanently abandoned the practice thereafter. Being at 77°E, Delhi's sun rises and sets about 22 minutes earlier than the IST reference meridian suggests. Current difference from London: … — UK winter (GMT, UTC+0): +5h 30min; UK summer (BST, UTC+1): +4h 30min.
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New Delhi Time Zone Converter – Compare with World Cities
Enter a New Delhi time to convert
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New Delhi – Geography & Location Facts
LocationSouth AsiaIndo-Gangetic Plain · Eastern bank of the Yamuna River · National Capital Territory (NCT)
GPS Coordinates28.6139°N77.2090°E · Gangetic Plain · ~160 km south of the Himalayan foothills
Average Elevation~216 mPredominantly flat terrain; the Aravalli Hills mark the south-western boundary of the territory
NCT Area1,484 km²National Capital Territory; Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) covers ~55,083 km²
ClimateBSh (Köppen)Hot semi-arid — scorching pre-monsoon summers (Apr–Jun, 40–48°C), monsoon (Jul–Sep), mild winters with fog (5–20°C Dec–Feb)
RiverYamunaPrincipal tributary of the Ganges; flows ~48 km through Delhi, the city's historic source of water and trade
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Population & Administrative Facts
| NCT Delhi Population | ~33 million (2024) |
| Metropolitan Population (NCR) | ~32–34 million |
| NCT Density | ~11,300 inhabitants/km² |
| Main Languages | Hindi (official), Punjabi, Urdu, English |
| Administrative Status | National Capital Territory (NCT) |
| Phone Code | +91 (India) · +91-11 (Delhi) |
| India Internet Domain | .in |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR, ₹) |
| Traffic | Drives on the left 🚗 |
| Country ISO Code | IN (India) |
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A Brief History of Delhi
- pre-1200The Delhi region has been inhabited for millennia, identified with Indraprastha from the Mahabharata epic (c. 1500 BCE). The first medieval citadels — Lal Kot and Qila Rai Pithora — were built by the Tomara dynasty (c. 736 CE) and Chahamana rulers around 1180 CE. The Qutb Minar complex marks the epicentre of the first great Islamic settlement in northern India.
- 1206–1526Delhi becomes the capital of the Delhi Sultanate — the first major Islamic power in the subcontinent. Five successive dynasties (Slave, Khilji, Tughluq, Sayyid and Lodi) rule for 320 years. Sultan Iltutmish (1211–1236) completes Qutb Minar — at 73 m, the world's tallest brick minaret. Alauddin Khilji builds Siri Fort and extends the empire across the Deccan plateau. The era sees an extraordinary flourishing of Perso-Indian architecture and culture.
- 1526–1857The First Battle of Panipat (1526) — Babur defeats the Lodi Sultanate and founds the Mughal Empire. Delhi becomes the capital of the most powerful empire in South Asian history. Shah Jahan (1628–1658) builds Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) with the Red Fort, Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque) and the legendary Chandni Chowk bazaar. Under Aurangzeb the empire reaches its greatest extent before entering accelerating decline through Persian invasion (Nadir Shah, 1739) and Maratha raids.
- 1857–1947The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 ends with the British East India Company seizing Delhi. The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar II, is exiled to Rangoon. In 1911, the British Empire transfers its Indian capital from Calcutta to Delhi — New Delhi is designed by architect Edwin Lutyens and inaugurated in 1931: Viceroy's House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan), Parliament and the grand ceremonial avenues are built in the Indo-Saracenic style. At Independence in 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru delivers his famous Tryst with Destiny speech at the Red Fort.
- 1947–presentThe Partition of India (1947) brings massive waves of refugees from Pakistan, dramatically swelling Delhi's population. The capital expands rapidly, absorbing surrounding towns into the National Capital Region (NCR). The Delhi Metro (2002) — one of Asia's largest networks — transforms urban mobility. Delhi evolves into India's largest political centre and a growing IT and services hub. International recognition of severe air pollution issues has driven major investment in renewable energy and electric transport in recent years.
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Top Attractions in New Delhi
🎯
Red Fort (Lal Qila)The great Mughal citadel built of red sandstone between 1638 and 1648 by Shah Jahan is India's national symbol — the Indian flag is hoisted from its ramparts every 15 August (Independence Day) as the Prime Minister addresses the nation. The 250-acre complex houses palaces, gardens, a mosque and museums of Mughal imperial life. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The evening Sound and Light Show reconstructs Mughal history on the blood-red walls of the fort.
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Jama MasjidIndia's largest mosque, built between 1644 and 1656 by Shah Jahan, can accommodate 25,000 worshippers in its vast courtyard of white marble and red sandstone. The three domes and twin minarets rising 40 m dominate the Old Delhi skyline. Its construction involved 5,000 workers over 12 years. The mosque preserves relics of the Prophet Muhammad venerated by pilgrims. From the minaret, the panorama of Old Delhi's labyrinthine lanes and the Red Fort in the distance is unforgettable.
🗼
Qutb MinarThe world's tallest brick minaret (72.5 m), built between 1193 and 1368, marks the site of Delhi's first Islamic settlement. The Qutb complex includes Quwwat-ul-Islam (the first mosque built in India, 1193), the famous Iron Pillar (4 m of pure iron forged 1,600 years ago that has never rusted — a metallurgical mystery only partially solved in the 1990s) and the tomb of Sultan Iltutmish. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.
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Humayun's TombThe mausoleum of Emperor Humayun (1565–1572), commissioned by his widow Haji Begum, is the first example of large-scale Mughal architecture and the direct prototype of the Taj Mahal. The double white marble dome on a red sandstone plinth, the chaharbagh (four-fold garden divided by water channels) and perfect proportions decisively influenced all subsequent Mughal architecture. UNESCO since 1993. The complex shelters the tombs of 150 Mughal descendants.
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India Gate & Kartavya PathIndia Gate — the 42 m triumphal arch designed by Edwin Lutyens in 1931 — commemorates 90,000 Indian soldiers fallen in WWI and the Anglo-Afghan War (1919). The Eternal Flame has burned continuously since 1972 in honour of fallen soldiers. Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) links India Gate to the Parliament and is the ceremonial axis of the capital, the venue for the Republic Day parade every 26 January.
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Chandni Chowk & Old DelhiChandni Chowk (moonlight square) — Asia's oldest and busiest bazar, created by Shah Jahan in 1650 — is a labyrinth of specialist lanes: Kinari Bazaar (embroidery and trimmings), Dariba Kalan (silver jewellery), Khari Baoli (Asia's largest spice market), Nai Sarak (bookshops). Cycle rickshaws carry you through the riot of colour, scent and sound. An early-morning walk through Chandni Chowk with fresh paratha from Paranthewali Gali is one of Asia's definitive sensory and culinary experiences.
✈️ Airports Serving New Delhi
| Airport | IATA | Distance | Transfer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi International Airport | DEL | ~16 km south-west of New Delhi | ~45–75 min (taxi/Ola/Uber); ~20–25 min (Airport Express Metro — dedicated line) | ✈️ Top-10 busiest airport globally (2024); hub for Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet; direct flights to London, Frankfurt, Paris, Dubai, Singapore, New York, Tokyo |
| Agra Airport | AGR | ~230 km south-east | ~3h (coach/train) or ~45min (domestic flight) | 🛫️ Gateway to the Taj Mahal — popular day trip or weekend break combined with Delhi |
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Delhi Cuisine & North Indian Specialities
Butter Chicken & Dal MakhaniButter Chicken (murgh makhani) was invented in 1948 at the Moti Mahal restaurant in Old Delhi by chef Kundan Lal Gujral — chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices, cooked in a tandoor and served in a creamy tomato, butter and cream sauce. It is today the most exported Indian dish in the world. Dal Makhani — black lentils and kidney beans slow-cooked 12–18 hours with butter, cream and spices — was born in the same kitchen and won the world over with its velvety texture.
Tandoori & Seekh KebabThe tandoor — a cylindrical clay oven fired with charcoal at 480°C — is the backbone of north-west Indian cooking. Tandoori Chicken (yoghurt-marinated chicken skewered and charred in the tandoor), Seekh Kebab (minced lamb with onion, ginger and coriander pressed onto metal skewers) and Naan (flatbread slapped onto the tandoor's inner wall) appear on every Delhi table, from Michelin-starred restaurants to Chandni Chowk stalls.
Chaat & Delhi Street FoodDelhi's street food is the most complex and flavourful in India. Gol Gappa (crispy semolina spheres filled with spiced tamarind water), Aloo Tikki (potato patties with mint chutney and yoghurt), Chole Bhature (chickpea curry with puffed fried bread) and Paranthewali Gali — the Old Delhi lane famous for stuffed parathas with melted butter. Every Delhi neighbourhood has its own street food specialities — a complete gastronomic map of the subcontinent.
Mughlai Cuisine & Delhi BiryaniMughlai cuisine — the culinary legacy of the Mughal Empire — dominates Delhi's restaurants: Nihari (slow-cooked mutton stew simmered overnight, served with naan at breakfast), Haleem (wheat and lentils with lamb, cooked 8 hours), Korma (meat in a coconut and cashew sauce). Delhi Biryani is more fragrant and less spiced than the Hyderabadi version — basmati rice perfumed with saffron, kewra and cardamom, cooked dum-style (sealed under a pastry crust and slow-steamed).
Sweets & KulfiDelhi is the paradise of north Indian sweets. Kulfi — traditional Indian ice cream, denser and richer than Western versions, flavoured with pistachios, cardamom, mango or rose — is savoured on a stick or in a clay bowl. Jalebi (crispy batter spirals deep-fried and soaked in saffron syrup) served with rabri (thickened milk) is Delhi's regal breakfast. Mithai (milk-based confectionery: burfi, peda, barfi, halwa) fills the colourful shopfronts of the halwai — the traditional Indian confectioner.
Lassi & Chai from Khan MarketLassi — yoghurt-based drink served sweet (sugar and cardamom), salted (cumin and salt) or fruity (mango, rose) — is Delhi's essential summer drink, served in clay cups. Masala chai (spiced milk tea with ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and black pepper, simmered slowly) is north India's national drink, served by chaiwallahs on every street corner in clay or small plastic cups. Khan Market is India's most expensive retail neighbourhood and the hub of Delhi's contemporary cafés and fusion restaurants.
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Practical Travel Information for New Delhi
| 🚫 Visa | Most nationalities require a visa for India. The simplest option is the India e-Visa (online application, 2–4 days processing, ~$25 USD), available at indianvisaonline.gov.in. A tourist e-Visa allows stays of up to 90 days. Always verify current requirements before travel. |
| ✈️ Getting There | Air India operates direct flights from several European capitals to New Delhi (DEL), including from London (~8h 30min) and Frankfurt (~8h). From North America, Delhi is served non-stop from New York (JFK, ~14h) and Chicago (~15h). Connecting options: Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Abu Dhabi (Etihad). |
| 💰 Currency & Payments | Indian Rupee (INR, ₹). 1 USD ≈ 83–85 INR; 1 EUR ≈ 88–92 INR (check live rates). VISA/Mastercard accepted at mid-to-upper hotels and restaurants. Cash required for street food, rickshaws and traditional markets. ATMs widely available; withdrawal fee typically ~2–3%. |
| 🔌 Electricity | 230V, 50Hz; Type D sockets (three round pins in a triangle) and Type C (two round pins). Most countries outside South Asia require a plug adapter. Universal adapters available at airports and hotels. |
| 📱 SIM Cards | Local SIMs (Airtel, Jio, Vi) available at DEL airport and shops with passport and photo ID. 4G data at very low cost (~$5–10 USD / 30 days unlimited). Activation may take 24–48 hours for foreign nationals. |
| 🚇 Local Transport | Delhi Metro (2002) — 9 lines, ~390 km, one of Asia's largest networks; the Airport Express links DEL to central Delhi in 20 min. Ola and Uber work reliably. Cycle rickshaws are ideal for Chandni Chowk. DTC electric buses cover the whole metropolis. Auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuks) are ubiquitous. |
| 🌡️ Best Time to Visit | October–March: best season — temperatures 8–25°C, clear skies. November–January: risk of dense fog (may affect flights and visibility). April–June: extreme heat, 40–48°C — avoid unless necessary. July–September: monsoon — heat and high humidity but spectacular green landscapes. |
| ⚠️ Health & Safety | Drink only bottled or filtered water. Air pollution can be severe November–January (AQI 300–500+) — consider an FFP2 mask. Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A, typhoid. Travel health insurance is essential. Delhi has excellent private hospitals (Apollo, Max, Fortis, AIIMS — the premier public institution). |
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Frequently Asked Questions about New Delhi Time
New Delhi uses IST – India Standard Time, with an offset of UTC+5:30 (5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of UTC), permanently, all year round. The IANA identifier is
Asia/Kolkata, used for the whole of India (there is no separate Asia/Delhi zone). India does not observe daylight saving time (DST) — the time zone is stable 365 days a year. Delhi sits at 77°E longitude, west of the IST reference meridian (82°30'E), meaning its local solar time runs about 22 minutes behind the clock — unlike eastern India where clock time and solar time nearly coincide.
New Delhi is always ahead of London. UK Winter (GMT, UTC+0): New Delhi (IST, UTC+5:30) is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead. British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1): New Delhi is 4 hours and 30 minutes ahead. Example: London 09:00 GMT = New Delhi 14:30 IST. London 09:00 BST = New Delhi 13:30 IST. Since India never changes its clocks, all variation comes from the UK's transitions to BST (last Sunday in March) and back (last Sunday in October).
New Delhi is always ahead of New York. US Winter (EST, UTC−5): New Delhi (IST, UTC+5:30) is 10 hours and 30 minutes ahead. US Summer (EDT, UTC−4): New Delhi is 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead. Example: New York 09:00 EST = New Delhi 19:30 IST. This large gap means real-time collaboration typically requires one side to work outside standard business hours.
Yes. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and every other Indian city share the same time zone: IST (UTC+5:30). All of India operates on the single IANA zone
Asia/Kolkata. India is one of the few large countries that chose to maintain a single national time zone, even though the sun rises and sets at significantly different clock times across its eastern and western extremities — a difference of nearly 90 minutes.
The 4:30–5:30 hour gap (New Delhi ahead of Western Europe) creates a workable overlap. UK Winter (GMT, Delhi +5:30h): London 08:00 GMT = Delhi 13:30 IST — excellent for both sides. London 09:00 GMT = Delhi 14:30 IST. British Summer Time (BST, Delhi +4:30h): London 09:00 BST = Delhi 13:30 IST. For Central Europe (CET/CEST): Delhi is +4:30h ahead in winter (CET, UTC+1) and +3:30h ahead in summer (CEST, UTC+2). Berlin 09:00 CET = Delhi 13:30 IST; Berlin 09:00 CEST = Delhi 12:30 IST. The optimal scheduling window is Europe 08:00–11:00 = Delhi 11:30–15:30 IST. Avoid setting Delhi morning meetings (09:00 IST) as that is 04:30–05:30 European time — impractical for European teams.
New Delhi is always ahead of Los Angeles. US Winter (PST, UTC−8): New Delhi (IST, UTC+5:30) is 13 hours and 30 minutes ahead. US Summer (PDT, UTC−7): New Delhi is 12 hours and 30 minutes ahead. Example: Los Angeles 08:00 PST = New Delhi 21:30 IST. This near-opposite-side-of-the-globe gap makes real-time collaboration very challenging.
The IANA Olson database uses
Asia/Kolkata as the canonical identifier for India Standard Time. There is no Asia/Delhi or Asia/Mumbai zone. The name Asia/Kolkata covers the entire country. Historically the identifier was Asia/Calcutta, updated to Asia/Kolkata after the city was officially renamed in 2001. The zone applies to all of India, not just Kolkata — it is the national IST identifier used by every operating system and programming language.
New Delhi is served by Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), ~16 km south-west of the city centre — one of the world's top-10 busiest airports. It has direct international connections to London, Frankfurt, Paris, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, New York, Chicago, Tokyo and dozens of other destinations. The fastest transfer to the city is the Airport Express Metro (20–25 min), which connects directly to New Delhi Railway Station and central interchange points. Taxis and Ola/Uber take 45–75 minutes depending on traffic.
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