1. What was the real name of Swami Vivekananda?
A. Narendranath Datta
B. Vishwanath Datta
C. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
D. Subhas Chandra Bose
Answer: A. Narendranath Datta
Explanation: Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta in 1863 in Kolkata.
2. Who was the spiritual guru of Swami Vivekananda?
A. Dayananda Saraswati
B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
C. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
D. Rabindranath Tagore
Answer: C. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Explanation: Swami Vivekananda was a devoted disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who greatly influenced his spiritual ideas.
3. Swami Vivekananda is best known for his speech at the Parliament of World Religions held in:
A. Paris, 1890
B. Chicago, 1893
C. London, 1892
D. Boston, 1894
Answer: B. Chicago, 1893
Explanation: Swami Vivekananda addressed the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, which brought him global fame.
4. According to Vivekananda, the ultimate goal of education is:
A. Employment
B. Knowledge accumulation
C. Self-realization
D. Passing examinations
Answer: C. Self-realization
Explanation: Swami Vivekananda emphasized self-realization as the ultimate goal of education to unfold inner divinity.
5. What type of education did Vivekananda advocate for India?
A. Purely Western
B. Bookish and theoretical
C. Man-making and character-building
D. Industrial only
Answer: C. Man-making and character-building
Explanation: Vivekananda believed in “Man-making education” that builds character, strength, and self-confidence.
6. Which of the following institutions was founded by Swami Vivekananda?
A. Arya Samaj
B. Brahmo Samaj
C. Ramakrishna Mission
D. Theosophical Society
Answer: C. Ramakrishna Mission
Explanation: Ramakrishna Mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897 to propagate Ramakrishna’s teachings and serve humanity.
7. Swami Vivekananda emphasized the combination of which two ideals in education?
A. Eastern spirituality and Western materialism
B. Science and Commerce
C. Art and Music
D. Politics and Religion
Answer: A. Eastern spirituality and Western materialism
Explanation: Vivekananda believed India should combine spiritual depth of the East with the scientific and material progress of the West.
8. According to Swami Vivekananda, religion is:
A. Ritualism
B. Dogma
C. Realization
D. Worship
Answer: C. Realization
Explanation: For Vivekananda, religion is not blind faith, but the realization of divinity within oneself.
9. Which method of teaching did Vivekananda emphasize?
A. Lecture method only
B. Learning through punishment
C. Question and discussion method
D. Rote memorization
Answer: C. Question and discussion method
Explanation: He supported dialogue-based methods that lead to intellectual awakening and self-exploration.
10. According to Vivekananda, the root cause of India’s downfall was:
A. Industrial backwardness
B. Political slavery
C. Neglect of the masses
D. Lack of weapons
Answer: C. Neglect of the masses
Explanation: He believed mass neglect, especially of the poor and uneducated, led to India’s social decay.
11. Swami Vivekananda gave stress on which type of education for women?
A. Religious only
B. Physical only
C. Intellectual and spiritual
D. Domestic only
Answer: C. Intellectual and spiritual
Explanation: Vivekananda promoted equal educational rights for women, focusing on intellectual and spiritual development.
12. According to Swami Vivekananda, education must aim at:
A. Transfer of knowledge only
B. Making students obedient
C. Manifestation of perfection already in man
D. Learning foreign languages
Answer: C. Manifestation of perfection already in man
Explanation: He defined education as the manifestation of the perfection already in man.
13. The famous motto given by Swami Vivekananda is:
A. Knowledge is power
B. Work is worship
C. Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached
D. Unity in Diversity
Answer: C. Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached
Explanation: This slogan reflects his call to action for the youth and nation-building.
14. What did Vivekananda consider as the foundation of character building?
A. Discipline
B. Wealth
C. Religion
D. Strength
Answer: D. Strength
Explanation: He believed “Strength is life, weakness is death”—thus physical, mental, and moral strength is essential.
15. According to Vivekananda, the teacher’s role is to:
A. Deliver information only
B. Punish wrongdoers
C. Guide the student in self-discovery
D. Maintain strict discipline
Answer: C. Guide the student in self-discovery
Explanation: He regarded the teacher as a guide and facilitator, helping students realize their potential.
16. In which year was the Ramakrishna Mission established by Swami Vivekananda?
A. 1893
B. 1897
C. 1901
D. 1885
Answer: B. 1897
Explanation: Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 to promote service, education, and spiritual welfare.
17. Swami Vivekananda emphasized which quality as essential in students?
A. Wealth
B. Imitation
C. Fearlessness
D. Obedience
Answer: C. Fearlessness
Explanation: He urged students to be fearless, as strength and courage are vital for true learning and success.
18. According to Vivekananda, what should be the central focus of education?
A. Making money
B. Passing exams
C. Character formation
D. Blind obedience
Answer: C. Character formation
Explanation: Vivekananda strongly believed that education is not just for information but for character building.
19. Which phrase best reflects Swami Vivekananda’s view on service to humanity?
A. Charity begins at home
B. Serve the rich to gain wealth
C. Service to man is service to God
D. Money is power
Answer: C. Service to man is service to God
Explanation: He believed that serving humanity is equivalent to worshipping God, a central ideal of the Ramakrishna Mission.
20. What did Vivekananda believe about the potential of every individual?
A. Limited by fate
B. Controlled by society
C. Infinite and divine
D. Dependent on education
Answer: C. Infinite and divine
Explanation: He stated that divinity is inherent in all and education should bring it to realization.
21. What is the main philosophy of Vivekananda’s educational thought?
A. Materialism
B. Idealism
C. Realism
D. Pragmatism
Answer: B. Idealism
Explanation: Vivekananda’s ideas were rooted in Vedantic Idealism, where spiritual realization and moral values are central.
22. Swami Vivekananda emphasized education should help in:
A. Job placement
B. Political awareness
C. Manifesting inner strength and values
D. Social entertainment
Answer: C. Manifesting inner strength and values
Explanation: He viewed education as a means to bring out inner strength, values, and moral courage.
23. Which concept of education was NOT supported by Swami Vivekananda?
A. Mass education
B. Woman education
C. Rote learning
D. Self-realization
Answer: C. Rote learning
Explanation: He was against mechanical learning, and promoted self-learning and experiential understanding.
24. Swami Vivekananda believed that the teacher should be:
A. A disciplinarian
B. A transmitter of facts
C. A motivator and awakener
D. An examiner
Answer: C. A motivator and awakener
Explanation: The teacher must inspire, awaken the spirit, and lead students toward self-development.
25. Which of the following values did Vivekananda emphasize most in his teachings?
A. Competition
B. Material success
C. Spiritual development
D. Rebellion
Answer: C. Spiritual development
Explanation: He consistently emphasized spiritual awareness, which he believed should be the foundation of life and education.
26. Swami Vivekananda believed that education should be imparted in:
A. Foreign language only
B. Regional language
C. English only
D. Mother tongue
Answer: D. Mother tongue
Explanation: He favored education in the mother tongue so that it could reach the masses effectively.
27. What kind of social change did Vivekananda envision through education?
A. Elimination of upper class
B. Mass awakening and upliftment
C. Abolishment of exams
D. Promotion of Western values
Answer: B. Mass awakening and upliftment
Explanation: He envisioned education as a tool for social upliftment, especially of the downtrodden and neglected.
28. Which Upanishadic idea did Swami Vivekananda often quote in relation to education?
A. Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman)
B. Tat Tvam Asi (Thou art That)
C. Satyam Eva Jayate (Truth alone triumphs)
D. Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma (All this is Brahman)
Answer: B. Tat Tvam Asi (Thou art That)
Explanation: This phrase “Tat Tvam Asi” expresses the divinity within, which Vivekananda connected to the aim of education.
29. According to Vivekananda, ignorance is:
A. A natural state
B. Strength
C. Weakness and bondage
D. Bliss
Answer: C. Weakness and bondage
Explanation: He considered ignorance as the root of fear and bondage, and knowledge as liberation.
30. According to Swami Vivekananda, the best education is one which:
A. Makes you dependent on others
B. Only imparts bookish knowledge
C. Builds self-confidence and independence
D. Follows traditional customs only
Answer: C. Builds self-confidence and independence
Explanation: He wanted education to make individuals self-reliant, courageous, and morally strong.
31. According to Vivekananda, what is true knowledge?
A. Acquiring degrees
B. Memorizing scriptures
C. Realizing the divine within
D. Knowing multiple languages
Answer: C. Realizing the divine within
Explanation: He believed true knowledge lies in self-realization and inner awakening.
32. Which Western thinker deeply impressed Vivekananda?
A. John Dewey
B. Immanuel Kant
C. Herbert Spencer
D. Rousseau
Answer: C. Herbert Spencer
Explanation: Vivekananda was influenced by Herbert Spencer’s evolutionary theory, which he integrated with spiritual growth.
33. In Vivekananda’s philosophy, what is the nature of the soul?
A. Mortal
B. Sinful
C. Divine and immortal
D. Limited by body
Answer: C. Divine and immortal
Explanation: He taught that the soul is divine, eternal, and full of potential.
34. What was Swami Vivekananda’s view on caste-based discrimination?
A. It is essential to maintain order
B. It reflects karma
C. It is evil and should be removed through education
D. It should be followed strictly
Answer: C. It is evil and should be removed through education
Explanation: He strongly opposed caste discrimination and advocated for equality and dignity through education.
35. Which of the following is not associated with Vivekananda’s educational ideals?
A. Physical strength
B. Spiritual wisdom
C. Passive obedience
D. Character development
Answer: C. Passive obedience
Explanation: He promoted active learning, strength, and initiative, not passive submission.
36. Swami Vivekananda propagated which Yoga system most for youth development?
A. Hatha Yoga
B. Karma Yoga
C. Bhakti Yoga
D. Mantra Yoga
Answer: B. Karma Yoga
Explanation: He emphasized Karma Yoga (path of selfless action) as ideal for youth to serve society.
37. Which of the following books is a collection of Swami Vivekananda’s speeches?
A. My Experiments with Truth
B. Discovery of India
C. Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
D. Gitanjali
Answer: C. Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
Explanation: His lectures and writings are compiled in the “Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda.”
38. What did Vivekananda say about faith in oneself?
A. It leads to pride
B. It is dangerous
C. It is essential for success
D. It must be suppressed
Answer: C. It is essential for success
Explanation: His famous quote is “You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.”
39. Which country did Swami Vivekananda visit after gaining fame in the West?
A. France
B. Japan
C. Germany
D. India
Answer: D. India
Explanation: After success abroad, he returned to India in 1897 and inspired national regeneration.
40. Vivekananda’s educational philosophy is mainly rooted in:
A. Buddhism
B. Jainism
C. Vedanta
D. Christianity
Answer: C. Vedanta
Explanation: His ideas stem from Advaita Vedanta, focusing on oneness, divinity, and self-realization.
41. According to Swami Vivekananda, religion should be based on:
A. Myths and rituals
B. Science and logic
C. Fear and control
D. Superstition
Answer: B. Science and logic
Explanation: He advocated a rational and experiential approach to religion, free from superstition.
42. What was Vivekananda’s view on moral education?
A. Optional part of curriculum
B. Harmful to free thinking
C. Foundation of true education
D. Only for saints
Answer: C. Foundation of true education
Explanation: He considered moral training essential to create honest, strong, and responsible individuals.
43. According to Vivekananda, ideal education must promote:
A. Mental slavery
B. Freedom and strength
C. Material wealth
D. Political favoritism
Answer: B. Freedom and strength
Explanation: He insisted on education that frees the mind and builds inner and outer strength.
44. Swami Vivekananda believed that religion and education must:
A. Stay separate
B. Be contradictory
C. Work in harmony
D. Be replaced by science
Answer: C. Work in harmony
Explanation: He saw religion and education as complementary, aiming at spiritual and moral development.
45. Swami Vivekananda addressed the youth as:
A. Leaders of tomorrow
B. Future workers
C. Living gods
D. Pillars of nation
Answer: C. Living gods
Explanation: He saw divine potential in every youth and called on them to realize it through education and service.
46. Swami Vivekananda’s stress on vocational training aimed to:
A. Promote luxury living
B. Keep education limited
C. Empower the masses
D. Replace spiritual education
Answer: C. Empower the masses
Explanation: He wanted vocational education to uplift the economically backward, making them self-reliant.
47. Which of the following did Swami Vivekananda establish in Mayavati (Uttarakhand)?
A. Indian Institute of Science
B. Advaita Ashrama
C. Nalanda Revival Centre
D. Yogoda Satsanga Society
Answer: B. Advaita Ashrama
Explanation: In 1899, Vivekananda established Advaita Ashrama to spread non-dualistic Vedanta.
48. What was Vivekananda’s primary concern for national progress?
A. Economic growth
B. Cultural exchange
C. Education of the masses
D. Military expansion
Answer: C. Education of the masses
Explanation: He believed that no nation can rise without educating its masses, especially the poor.
49. What was Swami Vivekananda’s view on foreign education systems?
A. Should be rejected entirely
B. Should be blindly followed
C. Should be adapted with Indian ideals
D. Are superior to Indian ones
Answer: C. Should be adapted with Indian ideals
Explanation: He supported Western science and reasoning, but insisted they must be harmonized with Indian spiritual values.
50. What was Swami Vivekananda’s view on physical education?
A. Not important
B. Only for athletes
C. Essential for developing strong character
D. Opposed to spirituality
Answer: C. Essential for developing strong character
Explanation: He emphasized physical strength— “You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through the Gita.”