Amateur Radio Convention and Conference Samity VU2GIN and its sponsored institutions are promoting the use of Indian National Calendar alongside Gregorian Calendar, as it is one of the Indian National Identity Elements.

Every nation has its own national flag, national anthem, and even national animal and bird. These national icons manifest the cultural heritage of the nation. Like these national icons, India also has its own National Calendar. Unfortunately, it is one of the most neglected icons. Despite its inception way back in 1957, the national calendar has remained neglected and unused. The irony is that it is one of the most scientific calendars on Earth as it follows the astronomical cardinal points and the motions of the Sun and the Moon.

The Indian National Calendar based on the Saka Era, with Chaitra as its first month and a normal year of 365 days was adopted from 22 March 1957 along with the Gregorian calendar for the following official purposes:

1. Gazette of India,

2. News broadcast by All India Radio,

3. Calendars issued by the Government of India,

4. Government communications addressed to the members of the public.

RBI has approved the use of Indian National Calendar dates on cheques.

Dates of the national calendar have a permanent correspondence with dates of the Gregorian calendar, 1 Chaitra falling on 22 March normally and on 21 March in leap year. The Indian National Calendar (INC) Year (Saka Era Year) is calculated by subtracting 78 from Gregorian Year. That means for example 2021 - 78 = 1943. So 22 March 2021 is 1 Chaitra 1943 INC. Moreover if the INC year is divisible by 4 then that is a leap year and the 1 Chaitra will fall on 21 March.

To know more about the Indian National Calendar, listen to the Vigyan Prasar YouTube Lecture below delivered by Sh. Hemant Vasudeo Mone, President, Akashmitra Mandal Kalyan.