The Hindu (Indian National) Calendar

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

The Indian National Calendar, often called the “Hindu Calendar,“ is based on both lunar and solar years. This calendar was introduced in 1957 in a government push for all of India to use the same calendar, but various traditional calendars are also used. The start of the Indian National Calendar year coincides with March 22, except in a leap year, when it coincides with March 21. The year is counted from the first year of the Saka era, in A.D. 78. The year 2010 translates to Saka era 1931-1932.