Did You Know It’s Currently the Year 1948 in India's National Calendar? Know What it is

Did You Know It’s Currently the Year 1948 in India's National Calendar? Know What it is

Key Takeaways

• The National Calendar of India was adopted on 22 March 1957.

• The calendar was recommended by the Calendar Reform Committee, headed by astrophysicist Dr. Meghnad Saha, formed in 1952.

• Four types of calendars are followed in India: Vikram Samvat, Saka Samvat, Hijri Calendar, and Gregorian Calendar.

• The National Calendar is used in the Gazette of India and All India Radio broadcasts alongside the Gregorian calendar.

India is a land of great diversity. Different states, religions, and communities have followed different ways of counting days and months for thousands of years. Before independence, India had many regional calendaring systems used in different parts of the country. This created confusion in official work and public life. 

After independence, the Government of India decided to bring one official calendar for the whole country. But which calendar should it be? The answer to this question is very interesting. Let’s find out. 

National Calendar of India

The National Calendar of India is the Saka Calendar. It is used by the Government of India for official purposes alongside the Gregorian calendar.

The Saka Calendar is also known by two other names which are the Shalivahana Saka Calendar and the Saka Samvat. It is a solar calendar used alongside the Gregorian calendar by the Gazette of India, in news broadcasts by All India Radio, and in calendars and official communications issued by the Government of India.

The Saka Calendar is based on the Saka Era, which started in 78 CE. The Saka Calendar is legally recognized in India and is used for official purposes, including determining dates for national holidays.

When Was the National Calendar of India Adopted?

The National Calendar of India was adopted on 22 March 1957, corresponding to 1 Chaitra of Saka year 1879. It emerged from recommendations by the Calendar Reform Committee, which was appointed in 1952 to standardize India's diverse traditional calendars for national unity and administrative efficiency.

The India Gov website mentions: “The national calendar based on the Saka Era, with Chaitra as its first month and a normal year of 365 days was adopted from 22 March 1957 along with the Gregorian calendar.”

The Saka Calendar was made the National Calendar of India so that the 30 different kinds of calendars that were used in India at the time would all work together.

The Saka Calendar has 12 months starting from Chaitra and going up to Phalguna. The first month, Chaitra, has 30 days in a normal year but 31 days in a leap year. The months Vaishakha to Bhadrapada have 31 days each, and the remaining months have 30 days.

What Are the 4 Types of Calendars in India?

In India, basically four types of calendars are followed: Vikram Samvat, also known as the Hindu lunar calendar, Saka Samvat, also known as the Hindu solar calendar, Hijri Calendar, also known as the Islamic lunar calendar, and the Gregorian Calendar, also known as the scientific solar calendar.

1. Vikram Samvat (Hindu Lunar Calendar)

The Vikram Samvat is a historical calendar for Hindus in India. Vikram Samvat is also the official calendar of Nepal and is named after King Vikramaditya. 

This calendar came into focus after the 9th century. Many historians believe it was initiated by Chandragupta, the king of Ujjain, around 57 BCE. 

2. Saka Samvat (Hindu Solar Calendar)

This is the National Calendar of India. The Saka Samvat calendar commemorates the victory of the Sakas over the Kushanas and is believed to have been founded by King Shalivahana in 78 CE. It was introduced as the Indian National Calendar in 1957 and follows a solar system.

3. Hijri Calendar (Islamic Lunar Calendar)

The Hijri calendar is the Islamic lunar calendar used by Muslims across India to mark religious events and festivals. It begins in 622 CE, which is the year of the Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina. 

4. Gregorian Calendar (Scientific Solar Calendar)

The Gregorian Calendar was introduced in October 1582 and is named after Pope Gregory XIII. It replaced the Julian Calendar due to leap year calculation errors. This calendar is widely accepted internationally and is the standard civil calendar in India. 

FAQs

Q1. What is the National Calendar of India?
The National Calendar of India is the Saka Calendar (Saka Samvat).

Q2. When was the National Calendar of India adopted?
It was adopted on 22 March 1957, which is Chaitra 1, 1879 of the Saka Era.

Q3. Who headed the Calendar Reform Committee?
Dr. Meghnad Saha, a famous Indian astrophysicist, headed the Calendar Reform Committee formed in 1952.

Q4. What are the 4 types of calendars in India?
The four types are: Vikram Samvat, Saka Samvat, Hijri Calendar, and Gregorian Calendar.

Q5. What is the first month of the Saka Calendar?
Chaitra is the first month of the Saka Calendar. It begins on 22 March (21 March in leap years).