National Youth Day 2026 & Viksit Bharat Youth Leadership Summit: Themes & 20 MCQs

National Youth Day is observed across India on 12th January to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

The Government of India declared 12th January as National Youth Day in 1984, with celebrations formally commencing from 1985 onwards.

Swami Vivekananda was born on 12th January 1863 into an aristocratic Bengali Kayastha family in Calcutta.

Swami Vivekananda was named Narendranath Datta at birth before taking formal monastic vows under Sri Ramakrishna.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa of Dakshineswar Kali temple was the spiritual master and guiding force for Swami Vivekananda.

Swami Vivekananda represented India and Hinduism at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago on 11th September 1893.

Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission on 1st May 1897 at Balaram Bose's house in Calcutta to carry out social service and spiritual work.

Belur Math, situated on the west bank of the Hooghly River in Howrah, West Bengal, is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Order.

The motto translates to ‘For one's own spiritual liberation and for the welfare of the world'.

Maharaja Ajit Singh of Khetri (Rajasthan) was a close disciple who sponsored Vivekananda's voyage to the West and suggested the name Vivekananda.

The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is located on a small rock island off the coast of Kanyakumari where he meditated for three days in December 1892.

The famous call is an inspiring adaptation of a shloka from Chapter 1 of the Katha Upanishad (Uttisthata Jagrata Prapya Varan Nibodhata).

Margaret Elizabeth Noble met Vivekananda in London in 1895, moved to India in 1898, and was initiated as Sister Nivedita.

Prabuddha Bharata is India's longest-running English journal, started under Swami Vivekananda's direction in July 1896.

The National Youth Policy defines persons aged between 15 and 29 years as youth, representing roughly 27% of India's population.

MY Bharat was launched on National Unity Day 2023 as a phygital platform connecting youth with volunteering and experiential learning opportunities.

While India celebrates National Youth Day on 12th January, the UN designates 12th August as International Youth Day.

The United Nations General Assembly declared 15th July as World Youth Skills Day to recognize the strategic importance of equipping youth with employment skills.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports collaborates with different state governments to host the National Youth Festival every January.

The NSS motto ‘Not Me But You' reflects the spirit of democratic living and the necessity for selfless service to society.

Nehru Yuva Kendras were established in 1972 to enable rural, non-student youth to participate in nation-building activities.

Adopted on 23rd December 1957, ‘Unity and Discipline' is the guiding motto of the National Cadet Corps.

Swami Vivekananda defined education as character-building and intellectual empowerment that uncovers inner human potential.

Vivekananda delivered lectures across London and Oxford, founding the first European Vedanta teaching circles in Britain.

Swami Vivekananda attained Mahasamadhi on 4th July 1902 at Belur Math, fulfilling his own prophecy that he would not live to reach the age of forty.

The games provide annual financial assistance of ₹5 lakh per annum for 8 years to identified grassroots sporting talents.

J.N. Tata was inspired by Vivekananda's vision for scientific research and indigenous industry to conceptualize IISc Bengaluru in 1898.

The initiative provides seed grants up to ₹5 lakh for student innovations focused on rural agriculture, clean water, and regional handicrafts.

The National Youth Festival brings together youth delegations from all 28 states and 8 union territories for cultural and sports competitions.

‘Udbodhan' is the only Bengali publication founded directly by Swami Vivekananda, serving as an influential voice of social reform and spiritual thought.