Q. Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days? (UPSC Prelims 2014)
Answer: 22nd March (or 21st March)
Notes: The correct answer is [A] 22nd March (or 21st March).The National Calendar of India is based on the Saka Era, with Chaitra as its first month. It was adopted by the Government of India on March 22, 1957, following the recommendations of the Calendar Reform Committee.Key Features of the National Calendar:

• Start Date: In a normal year, the first day of the year (Chaitra 1) falls on March 22. In a leap year, it falls on March 21.
• Era: The Saka Era began in 78 AD. To find the Saka year, you subtract 78 from the current Gregorian year (e.g., 2026 - 78 = 1948 Saka).
• Structure: The months of the Saka calendar follow the signs of the tropical zodiac. The first five months (Chaitra to Bhadra) have 31 days, while the remaining seven have 30 days.

Comparison of Calendars:

Feature	National (Saka) Calendar	Gregorian Calendar
First Month	Chaitra	January
New Year Day	March 22 (Normal) / March 21 (Leap)	January 1
Basis	Luni-Solar (Solar focused)	Solar
Usage	Gazette of India, AIR, Calendars	Global Standard / Business