Subho Noboborsho. Greetings for the Bengali New Year.

I have long thought of the significance of having multiple calendars in a single country. India, known for its cultural richness, is also unique in how it tracks time. Unlike many countries that follow a single calendar system, India uses multiple calendars side by side. These include the Gregorian (used officially), the Vikram Samvat, the Shaka Samvat, Hijri, Bengali, Tamil, and several regional calendars. While this diversity reflects the country’s inclusive nature, it also presents certain challenges, especially in financial and administrative areas.

One of the strongest points in favour of multiple calendars is how they mirror India’s diversity. This creates a landscape where festivals such as Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Baisakhi, and Onam coexist. Each is based on a different calendar, yet all are celebrated widely. This strengthens the idea of unity in diversity, a principle on which India is built.

Moreover, calendars are not just about dates. They carry centuries-old traditions, rituals, and cultural practices. By using their calendars, communities preserve these practices. They guide traditional ceremonies, crop planting, and religious activities.

Only recently have Western countries started embracing indigenous and alternative systems to honor native cultures. India, however, has been doing this naturally for centuries.

Even though different communities follow different calendars, sharing celebrations helps foster mutual respect. The awareness of each other’s time-keeping systems builds inclusivity. Agricultural communities in different regions use solar or lunar-based systems that align with seasonal changes in their areas. This decentralisation can be more relevant than a universal calendar in many day-to-day matters.

But having multiple calendars comes with its challenges. The biggest issue with multiple calendars lies in finance and administration. India uses the Gregorian calendar for official and financial matters. However, traditional businesses, especially in smaller towns and rural areas, may follow a regional calendar for their accounting year. This leads to confusion during audits, tax filing, or financial reporting. For example, while local businesses might align with their regional calendar, when all these firms are required to follow April–March (Gregorian) for tax purposes, discrepancies often arise.

When people refer to dates from their traditional calendars without a corresponding Gregorian date, it creates confusion. This is especially true in rural areas or among older populations. In official communication, conversion is often necessary, which adds an extra step and potential for error. Businesses dealing with international clients must follow the Gregorian calendar. However, when Indian vendors or clients work based on a regional calendar, date mismatches can cause missed deadlines or misunderstandings.

Even for policymakers, creating uniform plans becomes harder when regional calendars follow their own pace. Educating people on calendar conversions and encouraging businesses to sync their accounts with the Gregorian fiscal year can reduce practical challenges without erasing cultural identity.

Multiple calendars in India are a testament to its inclusive ethos. It strengthens cultural identity, supports traditional practices, and reflects the country’s pluralism. But at the same time, it demands extra coordination in finance and governance. Unlike the West, India has long embraced this layered reality and is only beginning to understand the importance of recognizing diverse time systems.