Previous Year Question

The National Calendar of India is based on the Saka Era. The Government of India introduced it with effect from 22 March 1957. This date corresponded to 1 Chaitra, Saka Era 1879 in the National Calendar.

For calculating the Saka year, after the beginning of the Saka New Year, 78 is generally subtracted from the Gregorian year.

Therefore, for December 2009—

2009 − 78 = 1931 Saka Era

Here, the word “December” is important because the Saka year does not begin in January. In the National Calendar, 1 Chaitra falls on 22 March in a normal year and on 21 March in a leap year.

Therefore, December 2009 certainly falls in Saka Era 1931. An official record also gives 24 December 2009 = 03 Pausha, Saka Era 1931.