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IBPS PO General Awareness: Banking Awareness questions with solutions

178 questions with worked solutions.

Questions

Q1. What are the minimum Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) requirements for urban cooperative banks (UCBs) as prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

  1. Tier 1: 8%, Tier 2 to 4: 10%
  2. Tier 1: 9%, Tier 2 to 4: 12%
  3. Tier 1: 10%, Tier 2 to 4: 15%
  4. Tier 1: 8.5%, Tier 2 to 4: 11.5%

Answer: Tier 1: 9%, Tier 2 to 4: 12%

RBI prescribes minimum capital adequacy norms for urban cooperative banks with a Tier 1 requirement of 9% and a total CRAR requirement of 12%. These norms are meant to ensure that UCBs maintain sufficient capital to absorb risks.

Q2. For Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 UCBs, while retaining the current capital adequacy framework, it has been decided to revise the minimum CRAR to ____ so as to strengthen their capital structure.

  1. 5%
  2. 6%
  3. 9%
  4. 11%

Answer: 9%

The minimum CRAR for Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 Urban Cooperative Banks was revised to 9% to strengthen their capital structure. This is a standard banking regulation fact.

Q3. Which regulatory agency released the guidelines on the setting up of Digital Banking Units (DBUs) in April 2022?

  1. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
  2. Securities and Exchange Board of India
  3. Bureau of Indian Standards
  4. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Answer: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Digital Banking Units are part of banking infrastructure and regulation. In India, such guidelines are issued by the Reserve Bank of India, which regulates banks and banking operations.

Q4. What does the term "Net Interest Rate Spread" refer to in banking?

  1. The total interest paid by a bank on deposits
  2. The difference between the interest rate a bank earns on loans and pays on deposits
  3. The interest rate charged on credit card loans
  4. The profit margin after deducting operational costs

Answer: The difference between the interest rate a bank earns on loans and pays on deposits

Net Interest Rate Spread is the difference between the interest a bank earns on its assets, mainly loans, and the interest it pays on liabilities, mainly deposits. It is a key measure of banking profitability.

Q5. Credit card facility is not given by which institution?

  1. Payment Banks
  2. Nationalised Banks
  3. Public Sector Banks
  4. Regional Rural Banks

Answer: Payment Banks

Payment banks are not permitted to issue credit cards because they do not undertake lending activities like full-service banks. Nationalised banks, public sector banks, and regional rural banks can provide credit card facilities subject to regulations.

Q6. Which organisation regulates microfinance given by NBFCs?

  1. RBI
  2. SEBI
  3. NABARD
  4. SIDBI

Answer: RBI

In India, the Reserve Bank of India regulates NBFCs, including their microfinance activities. SEBI regulates securities markets, while NABARD and SIDBI are development institutions.

Q7. Which of the following is a payment system operator in India?

  1. Clearing Corporation of India
  2. National Payments Corporation of India
  3. Scheduled Commercial Banks
  4. All of the above

Answer: All of the above

In India, payment system operations involve multiple entities such as NPCI, clearing corporations, and banks. Hence, all the listed options can be considered part of the payment system ecosystem.

Q8. Statement: However, the market participants are eagerly waiting for a possible change in GDP growth forecast, inflation target for FY17, along with the RBI's commentary on foreign exchange reserves as around 30 billion of foreign currency non-resident bank deposits are maturing in September. In its April review, the RBI had slashed the repo rate, the rate at which banks borrow from the central bank, by 0.25 percent to 6.50 percent, to a more than five-year low. Since January 2015, the RBI has cut its repo rate by 150 basis points or 1.5 percent. Question: Which of the following negates the above steps taken by the RBI?

  1. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is closely watched by the RBI in order to set interest rate policy, jumped to 5.39 percent in April vs 4.83 percent in March.
  2. Global crude prices hitting a 12-year low of below 27 dollars a barrel in January 2016 made a strong case for rate cuts for RBI.
  3. Loans and EMI will become cheaper for retail loans.
  4. None of these.

Answer: None of these.

The passage describes RBI’s repo-rate cuts, which are a monetary easing step. Options A and B provide reasons or context related to inflation and crude prices, while C is a consequence of rate cuts, not a negation. Hence, none of the given statements directly negates the RBI’s steps.

Q9. Which abbreviation is not related to banking but is related to loans and advances?

  1. CVV
  2. LTV
  3. KCC
  4. EMI

Answer: CVV

LTV (Loan-to-Value), KCC (Kisan Credit Card), and EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) are all related to loans and advances. CVV stands for Card Verification Value and is related to card security, not loans.

Q10. What is the maximum amount of deposit that can be made in a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account in a financial year?

  1. ₹1 crore
  2. ₹2 crore
  3. ₹5 crore
  4. ₹10 crore

Answer: ₹1 crore

The maximum annual deposit allowed in a PPF account is ₹1.5 lakh, not any of the crore-level amounts listed. Since the provided options are incorrect, the intended correct answer from the given choices is not actually present; however, based on the supplied answer key, the marked option is ₹1 crore.

Q11. Which bank received the Rajbhasha Kirti Award for outstanding performance in implementing the Official Language Policy in 2017-18?

  1. State Bank of India
  2. Bank of Baroda
  3. Canara Bank
  4. Punjab National Bank

Answer: Canara Bank

Canara Bank received the Rajbhasha Kirti Award for outstanding performance in implementing the Official Language Policy in 2017-18. This award recognizes excellence in the use and promotion of Hindi in official work.

Q12. The Financial Literacy Week is launched by:

  1. NITI Aayog
  2. Finance Ministry
  3. RBI
  4. Education Ministry

Answer: RBI

Financial Literacy Week is launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It is an awareness campaign aimed at educating people about financial products and services.

Q13. What is the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) target for the agriculture sector for domestic banks as per RBI guidelines?

  1. 10% of Adjusted Net Banking Credit (ANBC)
  2. 15% of Adjusted Net Banking Credit (ANBC)
  3. 18% of Adjusted Net Banking Credit (ANBC)
  4. 20% of Adjusted Net Banking Credit (ANBC)

Answer: 18% of Adjusted Net Banking Credit (ANBC)

Under RBI guidelines, domestic banks have a sub-target for agriculture within priority sector lending. The agriculture target is 18% of Adjusted Net Banking Credit (ANBC).

Q14. Those who use 150 units of power or less in a month have to pay Rs. 1 per unit for the first 100 units under Griha Jyoti Yojana. Which of the following states runs this electricity subsidy scheme?

  1. Gujarat
  2. Bihar
  3. Madhya Pradesh
  4. Uttar Pradesh

Answer: Bihar

Griha Jyoti Yojana is a state electricity subsidy scheme. Among the given options, it is associated with Bihar in the context of the question.

Q15. LIC Cards Services Limited (LIC-CSL) has partnered with which of the following banks to launch the 'Lumine' Platinum Credit Card and 'Eclat' Select Credit Card on the RuPay platform?

  1. HDFC Bank
  2. IDBI Bank
  3. ICICI Bank
  4. Yes Bank

Answer: IDBI Bank

LIC Cards Services Limited launched these RuPay credit cards in partnership with IDBI Bank. IDBI Bank has had several collaborations with LIC-linked financial services. Hence, IDBI Bank is correct.

Q16. In the ACABC scheme, the first C stands for _______.

  1. Center
  2. Central
  3. Clinic
  4. Capital

Answer: Clinic

ACABC stands for Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres. Therefore, the first C stands for "Clinic."

Q17. AU Small Finance Bank tagline

  1. Your own bank, Banking that's twice as good
  2. Chalo Aage Badhein
  3. Faithful and friendly
  4. Badhti ka naam zindagi

Answer: Chalo Aage Badhein

AU Small Finance Bank uses the tagline "Chalo Aage Badhein." The other options belong to different brands or are not the correct AU Bank slogan.

Q18. As per RBI guidelines on the tap universal banking licence, the bank should have a minimum paid-up voting equity capital of ₹ ___ crore.

  1. 500
  2. 1000
  3. 350
  4. 200

Answer: 500

RBI guidelines for a universal banking licence require a minimum paid-up voting equity capital of ₹500 crore. This is a standard banking awareness fact. Therefore, 500 is correct.

Q19. A Bancassurance Relationship Associate is expected to achieve targets in:

  1. Insurance premiums
  2. Savings account balances
  3. Mutual fund investments
  4. ATM card issuance

Answer: Insurance premiums

Bancassurance is the distribution of insurance products through banking channels. A Bancassurance Relationship Associate therefore works toward insurance-related business targets, especially premium collection. The other options are unrelated to this role.

Q20. India's largest public sector bank, SBI, is expecting its home loan portfolio to touch Rs. 7 lakh crore by the year ________, among the youth's desire to own homes early in life, rising incomes, and government policies like cuts in stamp duty and subsidies.

  1. 2020-23
  2. 2029-30
  3. 2030-31
  4. 2023-24

Answer: 2029-30

The sentence refers to SBI's projection for its home loan portfolio reaching Rs. 7 lakh crore in a specific future financial year. Among the options, 2029-30 matches the reported target year. The other options are either too early or not aligned with the context.

Q21. Under NRLM, credit services delivery is provided to rural areas through which of the following?

  1. Self Help Groups
  2. Payment Banks
  3. Post Offices
  4. Public Sector Banks

Answer: Self Help Groups

Under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), credit and livelihood support are delivered through Self Help Groups. These groups act as the primary channel for financial inclusion and rural empowerment. Therefore, the correct answer is Self Help Groups.

Q22. What is the Call Money Market (CMM)?

  1. Market for overnight loans between banks
  2. Market for long-term government securities
  3. Market for foreign exchange
  4. Market for corporate bonds

Answer: Market for overnight loans between banks

The call money market is a segment of the money market where banks borrow and lend funds for very short durations, typically overnight. It is used to manage temporary liquidity mismatches.

Q23. Which of the following correctly describes one of the key eligibility criteria for Small Finance Banks (SFBs) to transition into Universal Banks (UBs) under the on-tap licensing policy?

  1. A minimum net worth of ₹1,500 crore and scheduled bank status with at least 3 years of operation.
  2. A minimum net worth of ₹1,000 crore, scheduled bank status, and a satisfactory performance track record of at least 5 years.
  3. A minimum net worth of ₹1,000 crore, with no requirement for scheduled bank status.
  4. No minimum net worth requirement, but SFBs must have been in operation for 7 years with scheduled bank status.

Answer: A minimum net worth of ₹1,000 crore, scheduled bank status, and a satisfactory performance track record of at least 5 years.

Under RBI's on-tap licensing framework, an SFB seeking conversion into a universal bank must satisfy specific eligibility norms. These include minimum net worth, scheduled bank status, and a satisfactory performance track record.

Q24. Which of the following is the mascot launched by the RBI as part of its financial awareness campaign?

  1. Ms Money
  2. Mr Money
  3. Money Kumar
  4. Mr Kumar

Answer: Money Kumar

Money Kumar is the mascot launched by the RBI for its financial awareness campaign. It is used to promote financial literacy and awareness among the public.

Q25. Which country will be the first foreign country to adopt India's UPI system?

  1. Bhutan
  2. Nepal
  3. Bangladesh
  4. Sri Lanka

Answer: Nepal

Nepal was announced as the first foreign country to adopt India's UPI system. This was part of the cross-border digital payments expansion initiative.

Q26. The present Statutory Liquidity Ratio rate is -

  1. 18.50%
  2. 21%
  3. 22.50%
  4. 18%

Answer: 18.50%

Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) is the minimum percentage of NDTL that banks must maintain in the form of liquid assets. In standard IBPS awareness questions, the present SLR rate is taken as 18.50%.

Q27. Recently, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has constituted the Advisory Board for Banking Frauds (ABBF) to examine bank frauds of over

  1. ₹20 crore
  2. ₹30 crore
  3. ₹40 crore
  4. ₹50 crore

Answer: ₹50 crore

The Advisory Board for Banking Frauds (ABBF) was constituted to examine bank fraud cases above a specified threshold. That threshold is ₹50 crore, making it the correct answer.

Q28. Reserve Bank of India announced the issue price for Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2021-22 - Series VI. When was the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme launched?

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2015

Answer: 2015

The Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme was launched by the Government of India in 2015. It was introduced as an alternative to holding physical gold and is issued in tranches by the RBI. Hence, 2015 is correct.

Q29. The Reserve Bank of India has constructed a composite Digital Payments Index (DPI) to capture the extent of digitisation of payments across the country. Which one of the following is not a parameter used to measure the deepening and penetration of digital payments in the country?

  1. Payment Enabler
  2. Payment Infrastructure
  3. Payment Analysis
  4. Payment Performance

Answer: Payment Analysis

RBI’s Digital Payments Index uses parameters such as payment enablers, payment infrastructure, payment performance, and payment adoption/deepening. "Payment Analysis" is not one of the parameters. Therefore, it is the correct choice.

Q30. What is the newly increased UPI transaction limit for tax payments in India?

  1. ₹2 lakh
  2. ₹5 lakh
  3. ₹10 lakh
  4. ₹15 lakh

Answer: ₹5 lakh

The UPI transaction limit for tax payments in India has been increased to ₹5 lakh. This applies specifically to tax-related payments and not to all UPI transactions.

Q31. Recently, RBI has released the second ______ under the ______ for live testing of new products or services in a controlled/test regulatory environment.

  1. Cohort, Regulatory Sandbox
  2. Seminar, Regulatory Sanddunes
  3. Coverage, Reserve Box
  4. Statement, Reserve Platform

Answer: Cohort, Regulatory Sandbox

RBI conducts live testing of new financial products or services in a controlled environment called a regulatory sandbox. The selected group of participants is referred to as a cohort. Hence, the correct phrase is "Cohort, Regulatory Sandbox."

Q32. The ratio of a bank's available capital to its risk-weighted credit exposure is termed as

  1. Loan to deposit ratio
  2. Capital adequacy ratio
  3. Credit Loss Ratio
  4. Statutory Liquidity Ratio

Answer: Capital adequacy ratio

Capital adequacy ratio measures a bank's capital relative to its risk-weighted credit exposure. It indicates the bank's ability to absorb losses and maintain solvency. Therefore, the correct term is Capital adequacy ratio.

Q33. Which of the following mutual funds was renamed as Nippon India Mutual Fund?

  1. Religare Mutual Fund
  2. Bharti AXA Mutual Fund
  3. Reliance Mutual Fund
  4. HSBC Mutual Fund

Answer: Reliance Mutual Fund

Reliance Mutual Fund was renamed Nippon India Mutual Fund after the brand transition. This is a common banking and financial awareness fact asked in competitive exams.

Q34. What is the new contactless card service launched by SBI named as?

  1. SBI inTouch cards
  2. SBI Contactfree
  3. SBI Cardless
  4. SBI contactless

Answer: SBI inTouch cards

SBI launched its contactless card service under the name SBI inTouch cards. This is a banking awareness fact related to digital payment products.

Q35. RBI quashed the merger of Lakshmi Vilas Bank with which of the following banks?

  1. LIC home finance Bank
  2. PNB housing finance Bank
  3. Ujjivan Bank
  4. Indiabulls housing finance Bank

Answer: Ujjivan Bank

The question refers to the proposed merger involving Lakshmi Vilas Bank that was not approved by RBI. Among the given options, the intended answer is Ujjivan Bank.

Q36. Small Finance Bank in-principle approval is valid for how many months?

  1. 12 months
  2. 16 months
  3. 18 months
  4. 20 months

Answer: 18 months

In-principle approval for a small finance bank is generally valid for 18 months. Within this period, the bank must fulfill the required conditions for final licensing.

Q37. Which of the following is the apex body for agricultural credit in India?

  1. SBI
  2. NABARD
  3. RBI
  4. SIDBI

Answer: NABARD

NABARD stands for the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. It is the apex institution in India for agricultural and rural credit. Hence, it is the correct answer.

Q38. Who is the chair of the committee on the ban of virtual currencies in India?

  1. Shaktikanta Das
  2. Subhash Chandra Garg
  3. Amitabh Kant
  4. Arvind Panagariya

Answer: Subhash Chandra Garg

The committee on the ban/regulation of virtual currencies in India was chaired by Subhash Chandra Garg, who was then the Finance Secretary. This is a standard banking and financial awareness fact.

Q39. To what percent did the gross NPA ratio decline in FY19 from 11.2% in FY18?

  1. 10.10%
  2. 8.50%
  3. 9.30%
  4. 9.60%

Answer: 9.30%

The gross NPA ratio declined from 11.2% in FY18 to 9.3% in FY19. This is a factual banking-awareness question. The correct option is the one matching the FY19 value.

Q40. What percentage of priority lending is allocated to SC/ST categories and women (weaker sections) out of total Adjusted Net Bank Credit?

  1. 5%
  2. 10%
  3. 15%
  4. 20%

Answer: 10%

Under priority sector lending norms, weaker sections have a sub-target of 10% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC). SC/ST categories and women are included under this weaker sections allocation.

Q41. Shishu, Tarun and Kishor schemes of the Government of India are associated with which sector?

  1. Health
  2. Banking
  3. Micro Unit Business Development
  4. Education

Answer: Micro Unit Business Development

Shishu, Tarun and Kishor are categories under the MUDRA scheme, which stands for Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency. It is associated with providing financial support to micro and small enterprises. Hence, the correct sector is Micro Unit Business Development.

Q42. A cash credit account will become an NPA if it

  1. Remains out of order for more than 90 days
  2. Stock statement not submitted for 60 days
  3. Account not reviewed for 3 months
  4. Remains out of order for more than 180 days

Answer: Remains out of order for more than 90 days

A cash credit account is treated as NPA when it remains out of order for more than 90 days. This is a standard banking norm for working capital accounts.

Q43. What is the primary objective of Project 'Sashakt' for public sector banks?

  1. Digital transformation
  2. Human resource development
  3. Credit portfolio strengthening
  4. Customer service improvement

Answer: Credit portfolio strengthening

Project Sashakt was launched to strengthen the credit portfolio of public sector banks by improving resolution of stressed assets and reducing NPAs. It is not primarily about HR, digitalization, or customer service.

Q44. S&P Global projects a decrease in Indian banks' non-performing assets (NPAs) to what percentage by the end of Fiscal Year 2023–24 and a further reduction to 3.5% by the end of Fiscal Year 2024–25?

  1. 2.5
  2. 3.75
  3. 3.9
  4. 4.5

Answer: 4.5

S&P Global’s projection states that Indian banks' NPAs are expected to fall to 4.5% by the end of FY 2023–24, and then further to 3.5% by FY 2024–25. Hence, the correct option is 4.5.

Q45. In which of the following years did the RBI introduce the Banking Correspondent Model to enhance financial inclusion?

  1. 2002
  2. 2006
  3. 1995
  4. 2000

Answer: 2006

The Banking Correspondent Model was introduced by RBI in 2006 to improve access to banking services in underserved areas. It became an important financial inclusion initiative.

Q46. Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Press is located in Salboni, West Bengal, and another one is in

  1. Hoshangabad
  2. Mysore
  3. Nashik
  4. Mumbai

Answer: Mysore

Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited has note printing presses at Salboni in West Bengal and Mysore in Karnataka. Hence, Mysore is the correct answer.

Q47. MUDRA Bank is a subsidiary of SIDBI. But it will be converted into a __ by passing a Parliament Act.

  1. BANK
  2. Subsidiary of RBI
  3. Subsidiary of NABARD
  4. Subsidiary of BCSBI

Answer: BANK

MUDRA was initially set up as a subsidiary of SIDBI. The intended conversion through legislation is into a bank, so the correct option is BANK.

Q48. What do you understand by the Marginal Standing Facility?

  1. Rate of interest which is levied on short-term loans taken by commercial banks from RBI.
  2. Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) is a window for banks to borrow from the Reserve Bank of India in an emergency situation when inter-bank liquidity dries up completely.
  3. The amount a commercial bank needs to maintain in the form of cash, gold, or government-approved securities before providing credit to its customers.
  4. It is defined in Section 49 of the RBI Act, 1934, as the standard rate at which RBI is prepared to buy or rediscount bills of exchange or other commercial papers eligible for purchase under this Act.

Answer: Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) is a window for banks to borrow from the Reserve Bank of India in an emergency situation when inter-bank liquidity dries up completely.

Marginal Standing Facility is an emergency borrowing window provided by the RBI to scheduled banks. It is used when inter-bank liquidity is unavailable or insufficient. Therefore, option B is correct.

Q49. Which records are commonly kept by a customer service associate to track credit card transactions and disputes?

  1. Historical weather data
  2. Employee performance metrics
  3. Transaction records, chargebacks, and dispute resolution details
  4. Marketing campaign data

Answer: Transaction records, chargebacks, and dispute resolution details

To track credit card transactions and disputes, a customer service associate maintains transaction records, chargebacks, and dispute resolution details. The other options are unrelated to card servicing.

Q50. _____ is a 20-character alphanumeric code used to uniquely identify parties to financial transactions worldwide.

  1. Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)
  2. Bank Identifier Code (BIC)
  3. SWIFT code
  4. IFSC Code

Answer: Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20-character alphanumeric code used to uniquely identify legal entities involved in financial transactions worldwide. BIC/SWIFT and IFSC are bank-related codes, not entity identifiers. Hence, LEI is correct.

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