Infrastructure & Digital — Set 5

Correct Answer: C. Payments and Settlement Systems Act

The correct answer is Payments and Settlement Systems Act. NPCI was incorporated in 2008 under the Payments and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. It is promoted by a consortium of banks and operates under the guidance of the Reserve Bank of India. NPCI operates key retail payment systems including RTGS, IMPS, NACH, BBPS, FASTag, and UPI.

Correct Answer: C. 14

The correct answer is 14 digits. The ABHA number is a 14-digit health ID created under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. It enables citizens to link their health records across different hospitals and healthcare providers. The mission aims to create a connected health ecosystem where medical history is accessible securely to patients and doctors.

Correct Answer: C. 2019

The correct answer is 2019. National Broadband Mission was launched in December 2019 with the target of providing broadband to all villages by 2022. It aims to triple the number of telecom towers and increase optical fibre networks significantly. The mission set targets of 35 lakh km of optical fibre and 10 Mbps broadband speed for rural areas.

Correct Answer: C. 2020

The correct answer is 2020. PM-WANI (PM Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) was approved by the Cabinet in December 2020. It deregulates the public Wi-Fi sector, allowing anyone to set up Wi-Fi hotspots without requiring a licence or registration. The framework creates a three-tier ecosystem of Public Data Offices (PDO), PDO Aggregators, and App Providers.

Correct Answer: B. Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Dadri

The correct answer is Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Dadri. The Western DFC stretches approximately 1,506 km from JNPT near Mumbai to Dadri in Uttar Pradesh. It passes through Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and UP. The corridor enables heavy freight trains with double-stack containers to run at speeds up to 100 kmph.

Correct Answer: C. 45%

The correct answer is 45%. National Rail Plan 2030 targets increasing Indian Railways' modal share in freight from about 27% to 45% by 2030. Achieving this goal would significantly reduce logistics costs and carbon emissions. The plan includes upgradation of tracks, creation of freight corridors, and modernisation of wagons.

Correct Answer: C. 10,000

The correct answer is 10,000 electric buses. PM e-BUS Sewa was launched in August 2023 with the objective of deploying 10,000 electric buses in 169 cities with a population above 3 lakh. The central government bears the cost of bus operations for 12 years. The scheme aims to augment city bus operations and promote green urban transport.

Correct Answer: C. 2022-23

The correct answer is 2022-23 budget. Parvat Mala was announced in Union Budget 2022-23 as a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative to road projects in hilly regions. It was assigned to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Initially, 8 ropeway projects totalling 60 km were identified for implementation through PPP mode.

Correct Answer: D. PM-KISAN

The correct answer is PM-KISAN. PM-KISAN is an income support scheme for farmers and is not a component of India Stack. India Stack comprises digital public goods: Aadhaar (identity layer), eKYC (paperless layer), eSign (consent layer), DigiLocker (document layer), and UPI (payments layer). These form the building blocks of India's digital economy infrastructure.

Correct Answer: B. NPCI, Mastercard, and Visa

The correct answer is NPCI, Mastercard, and Visa. BharatQR was developed jointly by NPCI, Mastercard, and Visa with later participation from American Express. It creates a common QR code standard so merchants need only one QR code to accept payments from all networks. American Express joined subsequently to make the solution truly interoperable.