Daylight Saving Time 2025: History, Meaning, When It Starts, Ends And Why It Exists- Everything Explained

Daylight Saving Time: In many countries, people adjust their clocks forward in the spring and backwards in the fall twice a year. Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the name given to this custom. The concept is simple: to save energy and take advantage of natural daylight. As the clocks advance, the evenings get brighter and longer, allowing people to work, play and use less electricity.

Depending on the nation, Daylight Saving Time started and ended on different dates in 2025. Some countries, like the US, Canada, and some parts of Europe, observe this time change annually, while other countries, like Japan and India, don't. Although the idea may seem perplexing, DST has a fascinating past that dates back to the early 1900s.

Let’s understand why it was created, how it works, and why some countries are now questioning whether it’s still useful today.

What Is Daylight Saving Time?

What is Daylight Saving Time (Image: Canva)

The practice of setting clocks one hour ahead in the spring and one hour back in autumn is known as daylight saving time. The main aim is to get the most daylight on longer summer days. For example, people experience more daylight in the evening when clocks advance because it appears that the sun sets an hour later. Initially, this was meant to lower energy consumption by reducing the need for artificial lighting.

History Of Daylight Saving Time

Benjamin Franklin first proposed the concept of Daylight Saving Time in 1784 as a joke about preserving candles. But in order to save fuel and resources during World War I, nations like Britain and Germany adopted it, turning it into a real policy.

For similar reasons, the United States and several European nations later reestablished it during World War II. Many nations kept up the practice to align with seasonal daylight changes after the wars. The accurate beginning and ending dates, however, differ from country to country.

ALSO READ: Did The Time Change Today? Here’s Why Clocks ‘Fall Back’ As Daylight Saving Time Ends Across US

Daylight Saving Time 2025 Start and End Date

Daylight saving time 2025 dates (Image: Canva)

In the United States and Canada:

Daylight Saving Time started on Sunday, March 9, 2025, when clocks jumped one hour at 2:00 a.m. This indicates that the clock immediately shifts to 3:00 a.m. when the local time hits 2:00 a.m. There is no hour between 2:00 and 2:59:59 in the morning on that day.

And it ends on Sunday, November 2, 2025, when clocks move one hour back at 2:00 a.m. It indicates that the clock goes back by one hour to 1:00 a.m. when the local time reaches 2:00 a.m. (Daylight Saving Time). On this day, there are two times of the hour between 1:00 and 1:59:59 a.m. On the day of the change, you get an additional hour of sleep.

In Europe, DST usually begins on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October. While Asian Countries near the equator, such as India, Singapore and Indonesia, do not observe DST because their daylight hours remain almost the same throughout the year.

Why Daylight Saving Time Exists?

The main reasons behind DST include:

* Energy saving: During longer days, less electricity is used for heating and lighting.
* Productivity: More daylight promotes socialising and outdoor work.
* Safety: Longer evenings improve visibility, which lowers the number of accidents.
* Economic benefits: Businesses like restaurants, sports venues and shopping areas see more activity.

However, many experts today argue that the time change can result in confusion and sleep issues, and that the energy-saving advantages are small.

ALSO READ: Daylight Saving Time Ends: Here’s Why Americans Still Change Clocks Twice A Year

Countries That Follow And Don’t Follow DST

*Follow DST: USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico
*Don’t Follow DST: India, Japan, China, South Korea, most of Africa and parts of South America

Is Daylight Saving Time Still Needed Today?

In recent years, several nations have discussed completely abolishing DST. Energy savings are no longer as important as they once were because of modern technology. Even the permanent maintenance of a single time throughout the year has been discussed by the European Union. DST is still in place today as a long-standing seasonal custom in many areas.