Previous Year Question
With reference to the National Calendar, which of the statements is/are correct?
The National Calendar of India is based on Vikram Era.
The National Calendar is adopted from January 26, 1950.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Indian National Calendar is based on the Saka Era, not the Vikram Samvat. The Saka Era is traditionally reckoned from 78 CE. The first month of the National Calendar is Chaitra, while the last month is Phalguna. An ordinary year consists of 365 days, whereas a leap year contains 366 days.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Government of India adopted the National Calendar on 22 March 1957 (1 Chaitra, Saka Era 1879), not on 26 January 1950. The Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950, marking India's transition into a republic. The National Calendar was adopted alongside the Gregorian Calendar for official purposes.
In 1952, the Calendar Reform Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of the renowned scientist Meghnad Saha to develop the National Calendar. Its objective was to eliminate inconsistencies among the various calendar systems followed in India and establish a uniform national calendar based on modern astronomical calculations.
The National Calendar is used in the Gazette of India, news broadcasts by All India Radio, government calendars, and official communications addressed to the public. The first day of Chaitra falls on 22 March in ordinary years and 21 March in Gregorian leap years. The National Calendar is published by the Positional Astronomy Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).