Shaka Samvat (Saka era)
Shaka Samvat is the Indian calendar era that began in 78 CE, so its year is 78 or 79 behind the Gregorian year. It is the era of India’s national calendar and of many traditional panchangs in the Deccan.
Also known as: Shalivahana Shaka, Saka Samvat, Shake
The Shaka (Saka) era counts years from 78 CE and is traditionally associated with King Shalivahana. Its year number is always 135 less than the Vikram Samvat year. In Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the traditional Shaka year begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, celebrated as Gudi Padwa and Ugadi.
India’s national calendar, adopted in 1957 and published each year in the Rashtriya Panchang, also counts Shaka years but uses fixed solar months: its year begins on 22 March, or 21 March in a leap year. Government of India publications, including the Gazette, carry these dates beside the Gregorian ones.
So the same Shaka year number can turn over on two different days, depending on whether you follow the traditional lunar calendar or the national solar one. Both are correct within their own system.