National Calendar of India – History and Uses

The National Calendar of India, often referred to as the Saka Calendar, is the official civil calendar used by the Government of India. If you are wondering what is the national calendar of India, it was adopted on March 22, 1957 (Chaitra 1, 1879 Saka Era). Despite the widespread use of the Gregorian calendar for daily life, India’s national calendar holds immense significance for official government communication and religious observances.

Calculation and Official Use of the Saka Calendar

Understanding the relationship between the National Calendar of India and the Gregorian calendar is essential for its practical application. To find the current Saka year, you simply subtract 78 from the current Gregorian year. For example, the year 2026 corresponds to Saka Era 1948.

Every year, the Indian National Calendar officially begins on Chaitra 1. In a normal year, this New Year date falls on March 22, while in a leap year, it commences on March 21.

The History of the National Calendar of India

The journey toward a unified national calendar of India began shortly after independence. Before 1957, India used a chaotic mix of over 30 different regional calendars to determine religious festivals and civil dates. To fix this, the Government of India appointed the Calendar Reform Committee in 1952.

Led by the renowned scientist Meghnad Saha, the committee aimed to create a scientifically accurate system. They eventually selected the Saka Era as the foundation. Consequently, the Indian National Calendar was formally adopted on March 22, 1957, serving as a symbol of national unity and scientific progress.

The Science Behind the Saka Era

Many people ask, “The Indian National Calendar is based on what?” The answer lies in the solar cycle. Unlike many traditional calendars that rely solely on the moon, the Saka Calendar is a solar-based system.

The era was founded in 78 AD, marking the ascension of King Chastana or, as popularly believed, the Kushana Emperor Kanishka. To calculate the current year in India’s national calendar, you simply subtract 78 from the current Gregorian year. For example, if the Gregorian year is 2026, the Saka year is 1948.

Understanding the Months of the National Calendar

The National Calendar of India name is synonymous with the Saka Samvat. It consists of 12 months, each with a specific number of days that align with the sun’s movement through the zodiac.

No.	Saka Month	Gregorian Start Date	Days
1	Chaitra	March 22 (March 21 in Leap Years)	30/31
2	Vaishakha	April 21	31
3	Jyeshtha	May 22	31
4	Ashadha	June 22	31
5	Shravana	July 23	31
6	Bhadrapada	August 23	31
7	Ashvina	September 23	30
8	Kartika	October 23	30
9	Agrahayana	November 22	30
10	Pausha	December 22	30
11	Magha	January 21	30
12	Phalguna	February 20	30

Official Purpose of India’s National Calendar

While the Gregorian calendar is used for day-to-day activities, what is our national calendar used for officially? The Government of India mandates the use of the Saka Calendar alongside the Gregorian calendar for the following four formal purposes:

1. The Gazette of India: All official state notifications and records must carry the Saka date.

2. News Broadcasts: All India Radio (Akashvani) announces the date according to the National Calendar of India during its daily news bulletins.

3. Government Publications: Official calendars and diaries issued by the Government of India prominently feature the Saka months.

4. Public Communication: Formal government communications and documents addressed to the general public include the official national calendar name and date.

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