● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact
No leap second scheduled for December 2026
Key points
- IERS confirms no leap second for December 2026.
- Leap seconds adjust Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
- Impacts precision timing systems globally.
Decision on Leap Seconds
The IERS has announced that no leap second will be inserted at the end of December 2026. Leap seconds are occasionally added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to account for irregularities in Earth's rotation. The last leap second was added in December 2016.
Implications for Timekeeping Systems
Without the addition of a leap second in December 2026, systems that rely on precise timekeeping may require adjustments to avoid drift. This includes global positioning systems (GPS) and certain telecommunications technologies, which depend on accurate time synchronization for functionality.
Ongoing Discussions on Leap Seconds
The decision not to add a leap second has sparked discussions about the future of leap seconds. Some stakeholders argue for their elimination due to complications they introduce in various systems while others suggest continuing the practice to maintain alignment with astronomical time.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) has confirmed that no leap second will be added at the end of December 2026. This decision may affect systems that rely on precise timekeeping and synchronization.