This CST to IST converter turns any time in Central Standard Time (CST) into India Standard Time (IST), using your device clock so daylight saving is applied automatically. IST is 11 hours 30 minutes ahead of CST when both zones are on standard time, and 10 hours 30 minutes ahead during the summer months when clocks have shifted. CST is UTC−6 (CDT: UTC−5); IST is UTC+5:30.
CST covers Chicago, Dallas, Houston; IST covers Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru. Because only CST observes daylight saving time, the difference is not constant through the year. The tables below show both cases, and the converter at the top always uses the rule in force on the date you pick.
CST and IST UTC offsets
CST
UTC−6
Central Standard Time
CDT UTC−5 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
IST
UTC+5:30
India Standard Time
No daylight saving time
CST to IST conversion table (standard time)
| CST | IST |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 11:30 am |
| 3 am | 2:30 pm |
| 6 am | 5:30 pm |
| 8 am | 7:30 pm |
| 9 am | 8:30 pm |
| 10 am | 9:30 pm |
| 11 am | 10:30 pm |
| 12 pm | 11:30 pm |
| 1 pm | 12:30 amnext day |
| 2 pm | 1:30 amnext day |
| 3 pm | 2:30 amnext day |
| 4 pm | 3:30 amnext day |
| 5 pm | 4:30 amnext day |
| 6 pm | 5:30 amnext day |
| 8 pm | 7:30 amnext day |
| 10 pm | 9:30 amnext day |
CST to IST during daylight saving
Between the dates listed above, the difference is 10 hours 30 minutes instead of 11 hours 30 minutes.
| CST/CDT | IST |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 10:30 am |
| 3 am | 1:30 pm |
| 6 am | 4:30 pm |
| 8 am | 6:30 pm |
| 9 am | 7:30 pm |
| 10 am | 8:30 pm |
| 11 am | 9:30 pm |
| 12 pm | 10:30 pm |
| 1 pm | 11:30 pm |
| 2 pm | 12:30 amnext day |
| 3 pm | 1:30 amnext day |
| 4 pm | 2:30 amnext day |
| 5 pm | 3:30 amnext day |
| 6 pm | 4:30 amnext day |
| 8 pm | 6:30 amnext day |
| 10 pm | 8:30 amnext day |
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between CST and IST?
IST is 11 hours 30 minutes ahead of CST on standard time. During daylight saving the gap changes to 10 hours 30 minutes. That comes from the UTC offsets: CST is UTC−6 and IST is UTC+5:30. For example, 9 am CST = 8:30 pm IST, and in summer 9 am CST = 7:30 pm IST.
Is IST ahead of or behind CST?
IST is 11 hours 30 minutes ahead of CST, so when it is noon in CST it is 11:30 pm in IST. Ahead means the clock there already shows a later time; a call at 5 pm CST lands at 4:30 am IST.
Does CST or IST observe daylight saving time in 2026?
CST switches to CDT (UTC−5) on March 8 and back on November 1 in 2026. IST keeps UTC+5:30 all year. Between those dates the difference in the table above shifts by an hour, which is the usual cause of missed calls in spring and autumn.
What is the best time for a meeting between CST and IST?
Office hours (9 am to 5 pm) do not overlap at all with a 11 hours 30 minutes difference. The least painful options are early morning in CST or early evening in IST; for example 8 am CST = 7:30 pm IST and 6 pm CST = 5:30 am IST the next day. Rotate the inconvenient slot between the two sides for recurring calls.
Which cities use CST and IST?
CST (Central Standard Time) is used in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City (no DST). IST (India Standard Time) is used in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata. Some cities inside a zone skip daylight saving, noted in parentheses, so their offset matches only part of the year.