💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (June Batch) + Access XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF

Chaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the

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?

(a)

22nd March (or 21st March)

(b)

15th May (or 16th May)

(c)

21st March (or 30th March)

(d)

21st April (or 20th April)

Answer:

(a)

Core Books/NCERT

Explanation

Chaitra 1 is the first day of the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra. It marks the beginning of the new year according to the Saka Era, which is a traditional Indian calendar system based on the lunar cycles. The Saka Era begins from the year 78 AD when the Saka kings ruled parts of India. In a normal year of 365 days, Chaitra 1 falls on 22nd March (or 21st March in a leap year). This corresponds to the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, which marks the beginning of spring season.