The Calendar & the Eras (Saka, Vikram Samvat, Hijri)
Art & Culture › Miscellaneous · Topic 11.31
The Indian calendar and eras are the systems used to count time in India: the Vikram Samvat, starting in 57 BCE; the Saka era, starting in 78 CE and the basis of India's national calendar adopted on 22 March 1957; the Gupta era, starting about 319-320 CE; and the Hijri era, starting in 622 CE with the Hijra of the Prophet from Mecca to Medina. Hindu calendars are lunisolar, the Hijri calendar is purely lunar with about 354 days, and the Gregorian calendar, based on the solar year, is used for civil work. The national calendar began with Chaitra, on 22 March, in an ordinary year.
6 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Miscellaneous
At a Glance
- Vikram Samvat 57 BCE
- Saka era 78 CE (national calendar base)
- Gupta era About 319-320 CE
- Hijri era 622 CE (lunar)
- National calendar Adopted 22 March 1957
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Miscellaneous
Where Does It Fit?
This topic is a practical reference for dating inscriptions, festivals and events. It also explains why festival dates in the next topic shift each year. Previous topic: Taj Mahal…">Places of Cultural Interest. Next topic: Important Festivals (Kheer Bhawani, Mahapushkaram, Bathukamma, Manipur Sangai Festival, Losar, Chapchar Kut, Hornbill Festival, Wangala Festival, Orange Festival Nagpur, Teesta-Rangit Tourism Festival, Ganga Sagar Mela, Nabakalebar Rath Yatra, Sankalp Parva, Paryatan Parv, Bharat Parv, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas).
Which Eras Are Important and When Did They Begin?
| Era | Starting point | Link and use |
|---|---|---|
| Vikram Samvat | 57 BCE | Linked by tradition with a king named Vikramaditya; widely used in north and western India, and in Nepal; Chaitra starts the year in many regions |
| Saka era | 78 CE | Traditionally associated with the Kushana king Kanishka; used in inscriptions of the Deccan and in Southeast Asia; basis of the national calendar |
| Gupta era | About 319-320 CE | Started with the accession of Chandragupta I; used in Gupta inscriptions |
| Harsha era | 606 CE | Started with the accession of Pulakeshin II Sources Harshacharita, Hsuan Tsang Nature of rule Feudal,…">Harshavardhana |
| Chalukya-Vikrama | 1076 CE | Started by the Western Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI |
| Kollam era | 825 CE | Used in Kerala; also called the Malayalam era |
| Bengali San | 593 or 594 CE | Used in Bengal; linked in tradition with Akbar’s revenue calendar reform |
| Hijri era | 622 CE | Used in Islamic calendar; started with the Hijra from Mecca to Medina |
| Christian or Common Era | Year 1 | Gregorian calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582; used for civil purposes in India |
How Do the Calendars Work?
- Lunisolar calendar: Hindu calendars follow the moon for months and the sun for years, adding an extra month, called Adhik Maas, about once in three years
- Panchang: the Hindu almanac has five parts: tithi (lunar day), vara (weekday), nakshatra (star), yoga and karana
- Hijri calendar: a purely lunar calendar with 12 months of 29 or 30 days, a year of about 354 days, which shifts against the seasons. Months begin when the new moon is sighted
- Gregorian calendar: a solar calendar of 365 days, with a leap day in most years divisible by four
- National calendar: based on the Saka era, with 365 days, Chaitra as the first month starting on 22 March (21 March in leap years), based on recommendations of a calendar reform committee led by Meghnad Saha in 1952
- Hijri year now: the Hijri year 1448 began around mid-June 2026, though the exact day depends on moon sighting
- Vikram year now: Vikram Samvat is roughly 57 years ahead of the Common Era, so the current Vikram year is around 2083, with some variation by region
What Else Should You Remember?
- Saka conversion: to convert, add 78 to the Saka year to get the Common Era year, with small adjustments for the part of the year
- Vikram conversion: subtract about 57 from the Vikram year to get the Common Era year
- Hijri conversion: the Hijri year is shorter, so conversion needs a formula or a table; years pass about three percent faster than the solar years
- Gupta conversion: add about 319 to the Gupta year to reach the Common Era year
- Kali Yuga: the traditional Hindu count of years places the start of Kali Yuga in 3102 BCE
- Nirvana eras: Buddhist and Jain traditions count from the death of the Buddha and of Mahavira, with dates debated by scholars
- Tamil era: the Thiruvalluvar year is the Common Era year plus 31
- Regional new years: Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Baisakhi, Puthandu, Vishu, Bohag Bihu and Poila Baisakh are regional new years, falling near March or April
- Festival dates: festivals tied to lunar days move across the Gregorian calendar, and Eid dates depend on moon sighting
- Rulers and eras: inscriptions use regnal years and eras, and historians convert them to Common Era dates
- Link to festivals: see Important Festivals (Kheer Bhawani, Mahapushkaram, Bathukamma, Manipur Sangai Festival, Losar, Chapchar Kut, Hornbill Festival, Wangala Festival, Orange Festival Nagpur, Teesta-Rangit Tourism Festival, Ganga Sagar Mela, Nabakalebar Rath Yatra, Sankalp Parva, Paryatan Parv, Bharat Parv, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)
- Link to religion: Buddhist council dates in Ajatashatru, Mahakassapa Second Vaishali, Kalashoka, Sabakami Third Pataliputra, Ashoka, Moggaliputta Tissa Fourth Kashmir, Kanishka, Vasumitra Result Canon…">Buddhist Councils (First to Fourth) use traditional counts
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Starting years: 57 BCE, 78 CE, 319-320 CE, 622 CE
- National calendar: Saka based; 22 March; 1957
- Hijri features: lunar, about 354 days
- Statement questions: which calendar is lunar, lunisolar or solar
- Common errors: saying that Vikram Samvat began in 78 CE, or that the national calendar starts on 1 January
As an analytical point, India has long used many calendars together, each tied to region, faith and use. The national calendar gives a common reference, while the traditional ones keep festivals and local identity alive.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Numbers Era start years
- Types Lunar, solar, lunisolar
- Mains Calendar diversity
What Came Next?
The next topic lists the important festivals and the calendars on which they depend. Next topic: Important Festivals (Kheer Bhawani, Mahapushkaram, Bathukamma, Manipur Sangai Festival, Losar, Chapchar Kut, Hornbill Festival, Wangala Festival, Orange Festival Nagpur, Teesta-Rangit Tourism Festival, Ganga Sagar Mela, Nabakalebar Rath Yatra, Sankalp Parva, Paryatan Parv, Bharat Parv, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas).
Key People and Terms
- Samvat Year or era
- Panchang Hindu almanac
- Adhik Maas Extra month
- Hijra Journey of the Prophet
- Lunisolar Moon months, sun years
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Vikram Samvat: 57 BCE.
- Saka era: 78 CE; national calendar adopted 22 March 1957.
- Gupta era: about 319-320 CE.
- Hijri: 622 CE, lunar, about 354 days.
- Current Vikram year about 2083 (approximate, as of November 2026).
Do Not Confuse With
- Saka and Vikram 78 CE versus 57 BCE
- Lunar and lunisolar Hijri is lunar; Hindu calendars are lunisolar
- Gupta era and Gupta rule Dating system versus dynasty
Memory Hook
Fifty seven before, seventy eight after, six twenty two for the Hijra.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the diversity of calendars and the role of a national calendar. These points give a balanced frame.
- Diversity Many eras for many regions
- Unity A national calendar
- Use Dating history and festivals
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Why do many calendars and eras coexist in India, and what role does the national calendar play?”
How to Answer
- Introduce Name key eras.
- Reasons Region, faith, dynasty.
- National calendar Saka based, 1957.
- Way Common civil dating, local use.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Saka era begin?
The Saka era began in 78 CE and is traditionally linked with the Kushana king Kanishka. It was used in Deccan inscriptions and in Southeast Asia, and it is the base of the national calendar of India, adopted on 22 March 1957 on the recommendation of a committee led by Meghnad Saha.
When did the Vikram Samvat begin?
Vikram Samvat began in 57 BCE and is linked by tradition with a king called Vikramaditya. It is used widely in north and western India and Nepal, and its year is roughly 57 more than the Common Era year, so it is around 2083 in late 2026.
What is the Hijri calendar?
The Hijri calendar is the Islamic lunar calendar, counted from 622 CE, when the Prophet moved from Mecca to Medina. It has 12 months and about 354 days, so it shifts against the seasons. The Hijri year 1448 began around mid-June 2026, depending on moon sighting.
What is the national calendar of India?
The national calendar of India is based on the Saka era and was adopted on 22 March 1957, after a calendar reform committee led by Meghnad Saha in 1952. It has 365 days, begins with Chaitra on 22 March, or 21 March in a leap year, and is used alongside the Gregorian calendar.
When did the Gupta era begin?
The Gupta era began around 319-320 CE, when Chandragupta I came to power. Gupta inscriptions are dated in this era, and its years are added to about 319 to get Common Era years. It is a dating system, not the same as the Gupta dynasty itself.
What is the latest status of Indian calendar use?
As of November 2026 the Gregorian calendar is used for civil work, the Saka based national calendar appears in official gazettes and broadcasts, and the Vikram and Hijri calendars guide festivals and religious observance. The Vikram year is around 2083 and the Hijri year is 1448.
Why are calendars and eras important for UPSC?
They are important for UPSC because Prelims ask starting years, the national calendar and calendar types, and they help in dating inscriptions in history. Mains link them with cultural diversity and festivals that move across the Gregorian calendar each year.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Saka era began in 78 CE.
It is the base of the national calendar.
2 Vikram Samvat began in 78 CE.
It began in 57 BCE.
3 The Hijri calendar is a purely lunar calendar.
A year has about 354 days.
4 The national calendar of India was adopted in 1957.
On 22 March 1957.
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