56 RAS Prelims MCQs on the socio-religious reform movements cover the Brahmo Samaj, Prarthana Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission, the lower caste movements and the reform of women’s status. Reformers, founders, years, books and Acts are asked as facts, match tables and sequences, so learn each movement with its founder, its place and its main demand.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 56 questions
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Q21. In the context of Indian national awakening, consider the following statements, where one is labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): Swami Vivekananda laid great stress on national awakening and the physical strength of the youth. Reason (R): He believed that a weak and hungry nation could not understand spirituality or uplift itself. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
Vivekananda stressed national awakening and the strength of youth, because he believed a weak and hungry nation could not grasp spirituality or rise. R explains A.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Q22. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Swami Vivekananda.
Explanation
Vivekananda spoke at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893, founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 and attacked untouchability. He did not want to keep Western science apart from Eastern spirituality, so A is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Q23. Match List-I (Book/Publication) with List- II (Author/Reformer) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Book/Publication
Author/Reformer
A. Satyarth Prakash
i. Swami Vivekananda
B. Gulamgiri
ii. Dayananda Saraswati
C. Annihilation of Caste
iii. B.R. Ambedkar
D. Karma Yoga
iv. Jyotirao Phule
Codes:
Explanation
Swami Dayananda Saraswati authored Satyarth Prakash, which outlines the principles of the Arya Samaj. Jyotirao Phule wrote Gulamgiri to criticize the caste system. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste remains a seminal text on social reform. Swami Vivekananda’s Karma Yoga explains the path of spiritual realization through selfless action and service to humanity in the modern Indian world.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Q24. In the context of the history of social movements in India, consider the following statements regarding the Theosophical Society: Statement I: The Theosophical Society was originally founded in the United States by Madame H.P. Blavatsky and Colonel H.S. Olcott. Statement II: In India, the Society gained massive momentum by strongly opposing ancient Hindu and Buddhist philosophies. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Theosophical Society was indeed founded in the United States by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott. However, it did not gain momentum in India by opposing ancient philosophies. On the contrary, the Society actively promoted the study and appreciation of Hindu and Buddhist scriptures, helping many educated Indians regain confidence in their own cultural and spiritual traditions against Western influence.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Q25. Consider the following statements about Annie Besant’s contribution to Indian society: I. She translated the Bhagavad Gita into English. II. She founded the Central Hindu College at Varanasi, which later became the Banaras Hindu University. III. She was staunchly opposed to the Indian national awakening and the Home Rule movement. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Annie Besant made significant contributions to Indian education and culture by translating the Bhagavad Gita and founding the Central Hindu College at Varanasi. Far from being opposed to national awakening, she was a central figure in the Home Rule movement and became the first woman president of the Indian National Congress. Her work focused on blending Indian tradition with modern education.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Q26. What was the primary effect of the Theosophical Society’s activities on the educated Indian middle class?
Explanation
The primary impact of the Theosophical Society on the Indian middle class was the restoration of pride in their ancient heritage. By presenting Indian philosophies as scientifically sound and spiritually superior, the Society countered the narrative of Western cultural superiority. This psychological shift was crucial in the growth of national consciousness and the subsequent movements for cultural and political independence.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Q27. Consider the following institutions established during the socio-religious reform era: I. Central Hindu College, Varanasi II. Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, Aligarh III. Ramakrishna Mission Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of their establishment?
Explanation
The Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College was established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. The Ramakrishna Mission was founded later in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda to focus on humanitarian work. Finally, Annie Besant founded the Central Hindu College in 1898. This progression illustrates the diverse educational and social initiatives that emerged across different communities during the late 19th century.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Q28. Which of the following is a correct statement regarding Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s views on religion?
Explanation
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was a proponent of rationalism in religious interpretation. He argued that the word of God in the Quran could not contradict the work of God in nature, thus advocating for a scientific and rational understanding of religious tenets. He encouraged Muslims to move beyond dogmatic traditions and embrace critical thinking to adapt to the modern world.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Q29. Consider the following statements regarding the Aligarh Movement: I. It sought to reconcile Islamic faith with modern scientific thought. II. It rejected the purdah system and was a pioneer in promoting the modern education of women in schools. III. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded the United Indian Patriotic Association. IV. The movement was hostile to British rule and aligned with the early Congress. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Aligarh Movement did not prioritize women’s education in its early stages and remained somewhat conservative regarding the purdah system. Furthermore, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was generally loyal to the British government and advised Muslims to stay away from the Indian National Congress, fearing that political agitation would hinder the community’s educational progress and jeopardize its relationship with the rulers.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Q30. All of the following were central features of the Aligarh Movement EXCEPT:
Explanation
The Aligarh Movement was fundamentally reformist, not revivalist. It actively promoted English education and modern Western philosophical ideas through the MAO College. It also aimed to reform social abuses within the Muslim community and maintained a stance of loyalty to British rule. A rejection of Western ideas would have been contrary to its primary goal of modernization and intellectual advancement.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
21
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
22
(a) He advocated for the strict segregation of Western scientific materialism from Eastern spiritualism.
23
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i
24
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
25
(a) I and II only
26
(a) It helped them regain pride in their own ancient cultural and spiritual heritage.
27
(b) II, III, I
28
(a) He argued for interpreting religious tenets through the lens of modern rationalism and science.
29
(b) II and IV only
30
(d) Fostering a revivalist approach that rejected western philosophical ideas.
Key facts from Socio-Religious Reform Movements
Dayananda Saraswati gave the call Back to the Vedas and founded the Arya Samaj in 1875 at Bombay; its Shuddhi movement reconverted people to Hinduism.
The sequence of founding is Atmiya Sabha, Brahmo Samaj, Tattvabodhini Sabha and Prarthana Samaj.
Vivekananda addressed the Parliament of Religions in 1893 and founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897.
Jyotirao Phule wrote Gulamgiri in 1873; Ambedkar led the Mahad Satyagraha in 1927 for the right to draw water from the Chavdar tank.
E. V. Ramaswami Naicker led the Self-Respect Movement.
The Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act was passed in 1856 through Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Socio-Religious Reform Movements?
This page has 56 practice MCQs on Socio-Religious Reform Movements (Modern Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
When and where was the Arya Samaj founded?
In 1875 at Bombay, by Dayananda Saraswati. It stressed the authority of the Vedas, opposed idol worship and caste by birth, and ran the Shuddhi movement and the DAV schools.
What was the Mahad Satyagraha?
A satyagraha led by B. R. Ambedkar in 1927 to assert the right of untouchables to draw water from the public Chavdar tank at Mahad. It is regarded as a landmark of the Dalit assertion movement.
Which Act legalised widow remarriage?
The Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act of 1856, passed largely through the efforts of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. It removed the legal bar on the remarriage of Hindu widows, though social acceptance came slowly.
