How to know correct birth time

Many people who believe in astrology often find themselves confused by one common question: "What if I don’t know my exact birth time?" This uncertainty can prevent them from approaching astrologers, thinking that without accurate birth details, nothing much can be predicted.

But there’s no need to worry. Vedic astrology can find your exact birth time, even if you don’t know it. In fact, it goes beyond just time — in some cases, people are unaware of their exact date or even month of birth, especially those born in rural areas or under unusual circumstances.

Still, astrology offers a solution. Through a scientific and astrological method known as Birth Time Rectification, accurate birth details can be found.

This article explains:

Why having the correct birth time is crucial in astrology.

What to do to know exact birth time:

What options you have if your birth time is missing or unclear.

Let us begin by understanding the importance of accurate birth time in horoscope-based predictions.

Why accurate birth time is important in astrology

Without the correct birth time, seeking astrological guidance can be highly misleading and is generally not advisable. The rising sign or Lagna in the D-1 (Rashi) chart changes approximately every two hours. However, the D-9 (Navamsa) chart—which represents the soul of the horoscope—can change every 10 to 12 minutes. This means that within a span of two hours, the Navamsa chart may change multiple times.

Once the ascendant shifts in the Navamsa chart, the planetary combination/placements within it can shift to entirely different houses, altering the chart's interpretation significantly. Then how can any prediction be worth relying under such uncertainty? Even a difference of a few minutes in birth time can make the entire analysis flawed.

While many rely solely on the D-1 chart, experienced astrologers always consider the Navamsa and other divisional charts, some of which are sensitive enough to change within a minute. These charts are essential for providing accurate and meaningful predictions.

Below is a small reference table to illustrate how, even though the Lagna chart remains the same from 7:33 AM to 9:03 AM (a span of 90 minutes), the Navamsa chart changes nine times during this period. This implies that all planets in specific signs have shifted nine times in the divisional charts—significantly altering the outcome of any astrological reading.

 

Mr ABC, 15th January, Amritsar, India ( time 07.35 am to 09.00 am)
Birth time	D1 Lagan chart		D-9 Navamsa Chart
7.33 am	Capricorn	Sagittarius	Capricorn	Libra
7.45 am	Capricorn	Sagittarius	Aquarius	Libra
7.57 am	Capricorn	Sagittarius	Pisces	Libra
8.00 am	Capricorn	Sagittarius	Aries	Libra
8.20 am	Capricorn	Sagittarius	Taurus	Libra
8.31 am	Capricorn	Sagittarius	Gemini	Libra
8.42 am	Capricorn	Sagittarius	Cancer	Libra
8.53 am	Capricorn	Sagittarius	Leo	Libra
09.03 am	Capricorn	Sagittarius	Virgo	Libra

 

Please do not rely on any astrological prediction unless your birth details—especially birth time—are accurate. Even if some predictions appear true without an accurate chart, they are merely coincidental—like an arrow shot in the dark. When predictions eventually fail and then start talking about the importance of the Navamsa, it turns into a blame game. And that doesn’t help—because it’s your life, your decision.

Therefore, one should never ignore the importance of accurate birth time and this is mainly for the learned astrologers as this can be devastating. Let me tell you, in some charts like the D-60 (Shastiamsha), even a one-minute error can lead to absolute disaster, causing predictions to go completely haywire.

Now, if someone ignores the importance of such an inevitable fundamental rule of astrology, the person should blame self or the astrologer than blaming the proven science of Vedic astrology.

Many people come to me that they did not know such an intricacy about importance of accurate birth time or never knew that the astrologer considered only Lagan ( D-1) chart as the astrologer would have made the  predictions just based on the rising sign. This is nothing but an easy oversimplification of the subject and will result in misleading guidance.

As someone deeply rooted in this sacred science, I felt compelled to speak up. When astrology started getting a bad name due to such careless practices, I decided to raise awareness about the critical importance of correct birth time—through various widely circulated social platforms.

How to find time when you were born

The main problem arises when people do not have an accurate birth time. But no worries—astrology can help you find the time you were born through a process called Birth Time Rectification.

In Vedic astrology, there are sixteen divisional charts (Shodashvarga charts) derived from the main birth chart. These charts contain detailed information about a person’s life events and all relationships connected to the native. To perform accurate rectification, astrologers categorize these inputs into two groups:

First Set – Life Events of the Person

(These do not require the exact time, just close dates.)

• Whether the person was born naturally or via C-section
• Education
• Career / professional milestones
• Marriage
• Foreign travel
• Major health issues or injuries
• Any other significant or life-changing events

Second Set – Relationships Connected to the Person

(These are sensitive and are used to narrow down accuracy.)

• Grandparents (maternal and paternal – alive or departed)
• Parents (alive or departed)
• Siblings
• Spouse
• Pregnancy losses or childbirth attempts
• Children born
• Close friends and significant emotional bonds

By collecting detailed input about these events and relationships, the astrologer begins building a timeline, much like painting a canvas. This process narrows the birth time to a reasonably small window. Then, through discussion, the astrologer refines these events further—sometimes asking a few more key questions—to eventually determine the birth time accurate to within 50 seconds.

This entire process is known as Birth Time Rectification—and it is the answer to questions like:

1. What to do if I don’t know my exact birth time?
2. How can I find out my correct birth time?

Birth time rectification: A Complex Yet Rewarding Process

Birth time rectification is a meticulous and highly skilled process. Only a few experienced astrologers who have spent years mastering the craft can perform it correctly.

When the correct birth time is established: Finer charts like the Shastiamsha (D-60) can be drawn with minute-level accuracy (even a one-minute error can alter the prediction drastically).

It enables flawless predictions and better planning of life’s events.

Even those who believe they already know their birth time, but are facing serious challenges in career, business, marriage, or health, should consider rectification for better insights.

Other Techniques Exist—but One Stands Out

Yes, there are other astrological methods to offer guidance without a birth chart:

• Prashna Kundli (Horary chart)
• Charts of close relatives
• Daily horoscope readings
• Numerology and breath-based techniques

However, the most time-tested and reliable approach remains the Shrankhala Method (Series Method). This method involves:

Reconstructing the chart based on major past life events Interpolating further life events into the chart Fine-tuning until the chart aligns with every important milestone.

In many cases, this rectified chart proves more effective than even the originally recorded birth chart—because when a planetary combination works once, it is very likely to work again when repeated in transit.

How astrologers make mistake?

One major reason is the astrologer's experience and intention behind giving predictions. Predictions based on professional ethics and an accurate birth time, while considering all sixteen divisional charts (Shodash Varga), are far more refined and reliable.

In contrast, predictions made solely on the Lagna (D-1) chart or using shortcut methods lack depth and often carry a question mark of doubt.

Unfortunately, by the time one realizes the limitations of such shortcuts, they may have already missed the best time to act—based on favourable planetary transits and Dashas.

It is always better to emphasise on the importance of accurate birth time before giving any report or consultation to the native. In case of any doubts, read more:  how to know your accurate birth time.

Read important of Navamsa chart in horoscope matching.

Here the onus for all this mainly lies with the astrologer to whom people come with faith and start following the advice and if one more advice here: one should know how to judge a good astrologer /who is the right astrologer, assess yourself reading about the essentials of a good astrologer than later repenting. Because to judge the right person in any profession is your onus and to do justice to the profession is the responsibility of the professional, astrologer in this case. For any specific queries, connect with my office at +91 9278665588/9278555588.

 

Disclaimer- This article is from the Brand Desk. User discretion is advised.​