Current Time in Chennai, India
சென்னை
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
भारत
Dialling: +91
City Details
Chennai
சென்னை
Lat: 13.0827° N
Long: 80.2707° E
Population: 7,100,000
Time Zone
Asia/Kolkata
GMT+5:30
Public Holidays
No public holidays on record for this country
Time Difference
Business Hours
Daylight Cycle
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Overview
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and the gateway to South India, with approximately 7.1 million residents in the city and over 12 million in the Greater Chennai area as of 2025. It is India's automobile manufacturing capital — home to Hyundai, Ford, BMW, Renault and over 100 auto-parts makers — and the third-largest IT services hub in India. Chennai harbour is India's second-busiest container port.
Administrative Region
Tamil Nadu
IN-TN
Local Currency
₹
Technical Assets
- Web Domain.in
- ISO CodeIN-TN
Secure Identifier Profile
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
The modern city was established on 22 August 1639 when Francis Day of the British East India Company leased a strip of land from the Nayak of Vandavasi and built Fort St George — India's first English fortification. The settlement grew into Madras, the capital of British Madras Presidency for over 200 years. The city was officially renamed Chennai in 1996, reverting to a local name of uncertain etymology.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- /Marina Beach — 13km urban beach, world's second longest
- /Fort St. George — India's oldest surviving British fort
- /Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore — Dravidian architecture
- /Government Museum — second oldest in India (est. 1851)
- /Mahabalipuram (UNESCO) — day trip 58km south
🎒 Visitor Tip
The Chennai Metro covers key areas including the airport; buy a Smart Card for multiple trips. Marina Beach — the world's second longest urban beach at 13km — is best walked early morning when it is cool and relatively uncrowded. Mahabalipuram (58km south) is the essential day trip: a UNESCO shoreline of 7th-century rock-cut temples. The months of November to February are the most comfortable for visiting; summers (April–June) reach 42°C with very high humidity.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Built on a flat coastal plain on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, at near sea level. The terrain is entirely flat with minimal elevation — the highest points in the city are gentle ridges under 20m. The Adyar and Cooum rivers flow east-west through the city to the sea. The 13km Marina Beach is created by longshore drift along the coast.
Climate Stats
Tropical wet and dry (Köppen Aw)
Avg Summer
34°C
Avg Winter
25°C
Annual Rainfall
1400 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / DISTANCE
🚄 Rail ConnectionsCITY / DISTANCE
Regional Satellites
Other times compared to Chennai
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Chennai
What timezone is Chennai in?↓
Chennai is in the Asia/Kolkata time zone (Asia/Kolkata), currently UTCGMT+5:30.
Does India observe daylight saving time?↓
No. India does not observe daylight saving time. Chennai stays on IST (UTCGMT+5:30) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is IST?↓
IST stands for Asia/Kolkata. It is UTCGMT+5:30 and is the standard time used in India.
How many hours ahead is Chennai compared to London?↓
Chennai is 5.5 hours ahead of London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference reduces by 1 hour to 4.5 hours.
What is the time difference between Chennai and New York?↓
Chennai is 10.5 hours ahead of New York (EST). When New York switches to EDT in summer, the difference decreases by 1 hour.
How accurate is the time shown for Chennai?↓
The time displayed for Chennai is synced with atomic clock sources via NTP (Network Time Protocol) and uses IANA timezone data to ensure accuracy to the second. It automatically reflects any daylight saving time changes.
What does UTCGMT+5:30 mean for Chennai?↓
UTCGMT+5:30 means Chennai is 5.5 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Chennai?↓
Standard business hours in Chennai are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM IST (UTCGMT+5:30). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the India national calendar.
What is the best time to call Chennai from London?↓
The best overlap for a call between London and Chennai is typically early morning in London (8–10 AM GMT), which corresponds to late afternoon or evening in Chennai. Always check the current time before calling to avoid unsociable hours.