Prelims 2014 · archive
MediumChaitra, one of the national calendars based on the Saka Era, corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) 22nd March (or 21st March)
The Indian National Calendar (Saka era) begins with Chaitra 1 on 22 March in a normal year, and on 21 March in a leap year.
- ✓ (a) 1 Chaitra falls on 22 March (21 March in a leap year).
- ✗ (d) 21 April is the date of the Vaisakha-linked solar new year in some regions, not Chaitra 1 of the national calendar.
Remember · National calendar: Chaitra 1 = 22 March (21 March in leap years).
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 8 Curiosity, Ch 11 (practise this chapter) · Class 8 Curiosity, Ch 11 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 8 · Curiosity, Chapter 11 “The year begins on 22 March, which is the day after the spring equinox.”
- NCERT Class 8 · Curiosity, Chapter 11 “The CRC recommended 'Unified National Calendar' was adopted for use with effect from 21 March 1956 CE, that is, 1 Chaitra 1878 Saka.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2014, General Studies paper. UPSC did not publish an answer key for 2014: the answer shown is the one the sources above support. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·