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): Correct. In the Indian National Calendar based on the Saka Era, Chaitra 1 falls on 22 March in a normal year and 21 March in a leap year.
• (b) 15th May (or 16th May): Incorrect. This does not correspond to the beginning of Chaitra in the Saka calendar.
• (c) 31st March (or 30th March): Incorrect. Chaitra begins earlier in March, not at the end of the month.
• (d) 21st April (or 20th April): Incorrect. This is far later than the start date of the Saka calendar year.

Answer: (a)