ToolFeather
Time zonesLive · DST-aware

CST to IST Converter

See the current time in CST (Chicago) and IST (India) side by side, the exact time difference right now, and convert any time between the two zones.

Quick presets

CST to IST Converter

CST
Chicago
—
IST
India
—

—

Uses your browser's built-in, DST-aware time-zone data.

ToolFeather · Intl API

About converting CST to IST

Central Time (Chicago) and India Standard Time (India) are in different time zones, so a meeting, call or stream that's convenient in one may be early or late in the other. The clocks above update live and account for daylight saving automatically, so the time difference you see is the real one for today — not a fixed number that goes stale twice a year.

To plan across the two, type a time into the CST box (or tap a quick preset) and read the IST equivalent, including a "next day" or "previous day" note when the conversion crosses midnight. For any other pair of zones or cities, use the full timezone converter.

CST vs IST: the time difference through the year

The gap between CST and IST changes during the year because only one of them uses daylight saving.

PeriodDifference
Oct 23, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026IST 10 h 30 min ahead of CST
Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 13, 2027IST 11 h 30 min ahead of CST
Mar 14, 2027 – Oct 23, 2027IST 10 h 30 min ahead of CST

Daylight-saving changes in the next year

ZoneDateOffsetChange
CSTNov 1, 2026UTC−5 → UTC−6Clocks go back 1 hour
CSTMar 14, 2027UTC−6 → UTC−5Clocks go forward 1 hour
CSTNov 7, 2027UTC−5 → UTC−6Clocks go back 1 hour

CST to IST conversion table

CSTIST (when 10 h 30 min ahead)IST (when 11 h 30 min ahead)
12:00 AM10:30 AM11:30 AM
1:00 AM11:30 AM12:30 PM
2:00 AM12:30 PM1:30 PM
3:00 AM1:30 PM2:30 PM
4:00 AM2:30 PM3:30 PM
5:00 AM3:30 PM4:30 PM
6:00 AM4:30 PM5:30 PM
7:00 AM5:30 PM6:30 PM
8:00 AM6:30 PM7:30 PM
9:00 AM7:30 PM8:30 PM
10:00 AM8:30 PM9:30 PM
11:00 AM9:30 PM10:30 PM
12:00 PM10:30 PM11:30 PM
1:00 PM11:30 PM12:30 AM (next day)
2:00 PM12:30 AM (next day)1:30 AM (next day)
3:00 PM1:30 AM (next day)2:30 AM (next day)
4:00 PM2:30 AM (next day)3:30 AM (next day)
5:00 PM3:30 AM (next day)4:30 AM (next day)
6:00 PM4:30 AM (next day)5:30 AM (next day)
7:00 PM5:30 AM (next day)6:30 AM (next day)
8:00 PM6:30 AM (next day)7:30 AM (next day)
9:00 PM7:30 AM (next day)8:30 AM (next day)
10:00 PM8:30 AM (next day)9:30 AM (next day)
11:00 PM9:30 AM (next day)10:30 AM (next day)

Best time to meet

The two zones

CST · Central Time

Central Time is UTC−6 in winter (CST) and UTC−5 in summer (CDT). It covers Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City (which no longer uses DST) and Winnipeg. US daylight saving runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

IST · India Standard Time

India Standard Time is UTC+5:30 all year — one of the few half-hour offsets. India uses a single time zone and has no daylight saving.

Frequently asked questions

6 answers
What is the time difference between CST and IST?
It's shown live at the top of this page (and it can change with daylight saving). The converter uses the current, DST-aware difference between Central Time and India Standard Time, so the time you see is always right for right now.
How do I convert CST to IST?
Enter a time in the CST box and the equivalent IST time appears instantly, adjusted for the current offset between the two zones — including a note if it lands on the previous or next day.
Is this CST to IST converter accurate with daylight saving?
Yes. It uses your browser's built-in time-zone database (the IANA zones behind Chicago and India), which tracks daylight-saving changes automatically, so the current times and difference are correct.
What time is it in India right now?
The live clock above shows the current time in India (IST), updating every second, alongside CST.
Does the CST to IST time difference change?
Yes. Over the next 12 months it is 10 h 30 min ahead or 11 h 30 min ahead, depending on the date — see the table of periods on this page.
What is a good meeting time for CST and IST?
Standard 9-to-5 office hours don't overlap; early morning in one zone and evening in the other is the usual compromise — see the table on this page.