When someone says that the current year in the India is 2026 and most people will immediately agree. But did you know that according to the India’s official National Calendar, the year is actually 1948?
This surprising fact often catches the people off guard. While the Gregorian calendar is used globally for everyday life but India also has its own officially recognized calendar that is known as the Saka Calendar or Saka Samvat.
It was adopted by the Government of India in 1957 and this calendar serves as the country’s national calendar and it continues to be used in official government publications and communications.
What Is the National Calendar of the India?
India’s National Calendar is the Saka Calendar which is also known as the Saka Samvat or Shalivahana Saka Calendar.
It is a solar calendar that runs parallel to the Gregorian calendar and it is officially used by the Government of India for administrative and ceremonial purposes.
The Saka Era began in the 78 CE that is why the corresponding year in 2026 is Saka Year 1948.
Today, this calendar appears in the official government documents, the Gazette of India, All India Radio broadcasts and various public communications issued by the government agencies.
Why Is the Year 1948 in India’s National Calendar?
The Saka Calendar counts years from the beginning of the Saka Era in the 78 CE.
To calculate the Saka year, you generally subtract 78 years from the Gregorian year.
For example,
- Gregorian Year: 2026 (-78 Years)
- Saka Year: 1948
Since the Saka Calendar follows the different starting point than the Gregorian calendar this year numbers are lower even though both calendars refer to the same period in the time.
That is why India is simultaneously in the year 2026 according to the Gregorian calendar and 1948 according to the Saka Calendar.
Why Did India Adopt a National Calendar?
Before the India’s independence, India followed the numerous regional and religious calendar systems.
Different states, communities and traditions used their own methods of to calculating the dates and festivals.
This often created the confusion in the administration, communication and record-keeping.
To address this issue, the Government of India sought a standardized calendar that could be used nationwide for the official purposes while respecting the country’s cultural diversity.
This objective was to establish the uniform system without replacing traditional calendars used by various communities.
The Calendar Reform Committee and Dr. Meghnad Saha
In the year 1952, the Government of India has formed the Calendar Reform Committee to study the various calendrical systems that is used across the country and it recommended a standardized solution.
This committee was headed by the renowned Indian astrophysicist Meghnad Saha.
After the extensive research the committee has recommended to adopt the Saka Calendar as India’s National Calendar.
When Was the Saka Calendar Officially Adopted?
The Government of India has officially adopted the Saka Calendar on 22 March 1957.
This date corresponded to 1 Chaitra, which is Saka Year 1879.
Since then, the National Calendar has been used alongside with the Gregorian calendar in the official government activities.
The dual-calendar approach allows the India to maintain international compatibility while preserving the its historical and cultural heritage.
How Does the Saka Calendar Work?
The Saka Calendar consists of around 12 months and it follows a solar system similar to the Gregorian calendar.
The months are,
- Chaitra
- Vaishakha
- Jyeshtha
- Ashadha
- Shravana
- Bhadrapada
- Ashwin
- Kartika
- Agrahayana
- Pausha
- Magha
- Phalguna
Length of Months
- Chaitra has 30 days in the normal year and 31 days in a leap year.
- Vaishakha to Bhadrapada each have 31 days.
- The remaining months contain total 30 days each.
The first day of Chaitra usually falls on the March 22, or March 21 during leap years.
Where Is the Saka Calendar Used Today?
Although most Indians use the Gregorian calendar in the daily life but the Saka Calendar continues to play an important role in the government operations.
It is used in to the,
- The Gazette of India
- Government notifications
- Official calendars
- Public information releases
- All India Radio broadcasts
- Certain administrative records
The calendar serves as the symbol of the India’s cultural and historical identity while supporting official governance.
The Four Major Calendar Systems Used in India
India is unique because there are multiple calendar systems coexist and they are widely respected.
1. Vikram Samvat
The Vikram Samvat is the traditional Hindu calendar which is associated with the King Vikramaditya.
It is widely used for the religious festivals and cultural events and serves as the official calendar of Nepal.
2. Saka Samvat
The Saka Samvat is the India’s National Calendar and it is used for the official government purposes.
3. Hijri Calendar
The Hijri Calendar is the Islamic lunar calendar that is followed by the Muslims for determining religious observances, festivals and important dates.
Its era begins with the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
4. Gregorian Calendar
The Gregorian Calendar is the internationally accepted civil calendar and it is the most commonly used calendar in the India for business, education, administration and everyday life.
Interesting Facts About India’s National Calendar
Before the standardization, more than 30 different calendar systems were being used across the India that created the difficulties in administration and public communication.
India officially recognizes the both the Saka Calendar and the Gregorian Calendar for the government purposes.
The Calendar Reform Committee relied on to the astronomical calculations and scientific principles while designing the standardized national calendar.
The Saka Calendar also represents the India’s effort to maintain a uniquely Indian system of timekeeping while remaining it globally connected.
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