Infrastructure & Digital — Set 8

Correct Answer: C. August

The correct answer is August 2023. PM e-BUS Sewa was approved and launched in August 2023 by the Union Cabinet. The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 57,613 crore and targets deploying 10,000 electric buses. Cities will be selected based on population, existing bus fleet strength, and readiness for EV infrastructure.

Correct Answer: B. Public Private Partnership (PPP)

The correct answer is Public Private Partnership (PPP). Parvat Mala projects are to be developed through PPP mode to attract private investment. The National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), a subsidiary of NHAI, is the implementing agency. Private players will invest, build, and operate ropeways while the government provides land and support.

Correct Answer: B. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

The correct answer is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). India Stack is widely cited as the foundational model for Digital Public Infrastructure globally. The G20 has promoted DPI as a tool for financial inclusion and digital development in developing countries. India has shared its DPI experience with over 100 countries, and several nations are replicating elements of India Stack.

Correct Answer: C. 111

The correct answer is 111. The National Waterways Act 2016 declared 111 waterways as National Waterways, compared to only 5 previously. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is responsible for their development. NW-1 on the Ganga is the most developed, and cargo ships are being used as an alternative to road and rail freight.

Correct Answer: C. 2017

The correct answer is 2017. BharatQR was launched in February 2017, becoming the world's first interoperable QR code payment acceptance solution. It was developed jointly by NPCI, Mastercard, and Visa to enable merchants to accept digital payments easily. The solution reduces need for expensive POS terminals as any smartphone can scan the BharatQR code.

Correct Answer: B. Aadhaar-enabled biometric authentication

The correct answer is Aadhaar-enabled biometric authentication. IPPB's postal workers carry smartphones with fingerprint scanners to authenticate customers using Aadhaar biometrics. This enables doorstep banking in villages without requiring customers to have smartphones or internet access. Services include savings accounts, remittances, direct benefit transfers, and insurance.

Correct Answer: B. Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)

The correct answer is Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). BharatNet is funded through USOF, which is a statutory fund created by levying Universal Access Levy on telecom revenues. USOF is administered by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The fund ensures that telecom development reaches underserved rural and remote areas of India.

Correct Answer: B. 12

The correct answer is 12. India has 12 major ports managed by the central government, and Sagarmala aims to modernise all of them. Port modernisation includes capacity addition, mechanisation, hinterland connectivity, digitisation, and introduction of Port Community Systems. The programme also focuses on developing 6 new major ports to handle future cargo growth.

Correct Answer: B. Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik

The correct answer is Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik. UDAN translates to 'Let the Common Citizen of the Country Fly'. The scheme was launched in 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy. It symbolises the democratisation of aviation which was previously only accessible to the affluent sections of society.

Correct Answer: C. 2016

The correct answer is 2016. The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act was passed by Parliament in March 2016. It gave statutory backing to the Aadhaar project and UIDAI. The Supreme Court in 2018 upheld the Aadhaar Act but ruled that Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory for private companies.