IST to CST converter
US Central time is 10 hours 30 minutes behind India Standard Time while the US is on daylight saving time (CDT), and 11 hours 30 minutes behind in winter (CST).
Right now it's in India (IST) and in Chicago (CT).
How to convert
To convert IST to Central time, subtract 10 hours 30 minutes from March to early November, or 11 hours 30 minutes the rest of the year. India doesn't change its clocks, so only the US side moves.
Hourly chart
| India (IST) | Central, summer (CDT) | Central, winter (CST) |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM IST | 1:30 PM (day before) CDT | 12:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 1:00 AM IST | 2:30 PM (day before) CDT | 1:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 2:00 AM IST | 3:30 PM (day before) CDT | 2:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 3:00 AM IST | 4:30 PM (day before) CDT | 3:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 4:00 AM IST | 5:30 PM (day before) CDT | 4:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 5:00 AM IST | 6:30 PM (day before) CDT | 5:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 6:00 AM IST | 7:30 PM (day before) CDT | 6:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 7:00 AM IST | 8:30 PM (day before) CDT | 7:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 8:00 AM IST | 9:30 PM (day before) CDT | 8:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 9:00 AM IST | 10:30 PM (day before) CDT | 9:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 10:00 AM IST | 11:30 PM (day before) CDT | 10:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 11:00 AM IST | 12:30 AM CDT | 11:30 PM (day before) CST |
| 12:00 PM IST | 1:30 AM CDT | 12:30 AM CST |
| 1:00 PM IST | 2:30 AM CDT | 1:30 AM CST |
| 2:00 PM IST | 3:30 AM CDT | 2:30 AM CST |
| 3:00 PM IST | 4:30 AM CDT | 3:30 AM CST |
| 4:00 PM IST | 5:30 AM CDT | 4:30 AM CST |
| 5:00 PM IST | 6:30 AM CDT | 5:30 AM CST |
| 6:00 PM IST | 7:30 AM CDT | 6:30 AM CST |
| 7:00 PM IST | 8:30 AM CDT | 7:30 AM CST |
| 8:00 PM IST | 9:30 AM CDT | 8:30 AM CST |
| 9:00 PM IST | 10:30 AM CDT | 9:30 AM CST |
| 10:00 PM IST | 11:30 AM CDT | 10:30 AM CST |
| 11:00 PM IST | 12:30 PM CDT | 11:30 AM CST |
US daylight saving time: March 8 to November 1, 2026 and March 14 to November 7, 2027.
Questions people ask
Is it 10 hours 30 minutes or 11 hours 30 minutes?
Both, depending on the date. The US is on daylight saving time from March 8 to November 1, 2026 and March 14 to November 7, 2027; in those months the gap is 10 hours 30 minutes. The rest of the year it is 11 hours 30 minutes. India stays on IST (UTC+5:30) all year.
People say CST all year. Is that right?
In everyday use, "CST" often just means Central time. Strictly, CST is the winter name and CDT is the summer one. The converter above uses the right one for the date you pick.
What's a good time for a call between India and the US?
Early morning in Chicago is evening in India. For example, 8:00 AM CDT is 6:30 PM IST. Use the meeting planner to find times inside everyone's working hours.
More India and US conversions
See also: IST time zone · Chicago and Delhi time difference · Time in New Delhi · Meeting planner