8th August 2026

Explanation - NPCI is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India. It is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. It has been incorporated as a “Not for Profit” Company under the provisions of Section 25 of Companies Act 1956 (now Section 8 of Companies Act 2013). The ten core promoter banks are State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Citibank and HSBC. In 2016 the shareholding was broad based to 56 member banks to include more banks representing all sectors.

Explanation - Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing and merchant payments into one hood. It also caters to the “Peer to Peer” collect request which can be scheduled and paid as per requirement and convenience. Each Bank provides its own UPI App for mobile platforms.

Explanation - It aims to provide long-term financing or refinancing with long tenors at low or nil interest rates to spur private sector investment in RDI. The scheme has been designed to overcome the constraints and challenges in funding of the private sector. It seeks to provide growth & risk capital to sunrise and strategic sectors to facilitate innovation, promote adoption of technology and enhance competitiveness. Key objectives of the Scheme — Encourage the private sector to scale up research, development, and innovation (RDI) in sunrise domains and in other sectors relevant for economic security, strategic purpose, and self-reliance; Finance transformative projects at higher levels of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) Support acquisition of technologies which are critical or of high strategic importance; Facilitate setting up of a Deep Tech Fund of Funds. The Governing Board of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), chaired by the Prime Minister, will provide overarching strategic direction to the RDI Scheme. The Executive Council (EC) of ANRF will approve the Scheme’s guidelines, and recommend 2nd level fund managers and scope and type of projects in sunrise sectors. An Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) led by the Cabinet Secretary, will be responsible for approving scheme changes, sectors and types of projects as well as second-level fund managers besides reviewing the performance of the Scheme. Nodal Department — The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will serve as the nodal department for implementation of the RDI Funding Mechanism — The RDI Scheme will have a two-tiered funding mechanism. At the first level, there will be a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) established within the ANRF, which will act as the custodian of funds. From the SPF funds shall be allocated to a variety of 2nd level fund managers. This will be mainly in the form of long-term concessional loans. The funding to R&D projects by the 2nd level fund managers would normally be in the form of long-term loan at low or nil interest rates. Financing in the form of equity may also be done, especially in case of startups. Contribution to Deep-Tech Fund of Funds (FoF) or any other FoF meant for RDI may also be considered.

Explanation - Government has approved the continuation of Central Sector Scheme — ‘National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS)’ — over the 15th Finance Commission cycle for a period of five years i.e. from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with financial outlay of Rs. 1827.00 crore. The objective of the scheme is to award scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to arrest their drop-out at class VIII and encourage them to continue their education at secondary stage.

One lakh fresh scholarships of Rs.12,000/- per annum (Rs.1000/- per month) per student are awarded to selected students of class IX every year and their continuation/renewal in classes X to XII for study in State Government, Government-aided and Local body schools under the scheme. Students are selected for award of scholarships through an examination conducted by the State/ UT Governments. The scheme is boarded on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Scholarships are disbursed directly into the bank accounts of students by electronic transfer through Public Financial Management System (PFMS) following DBT mode. 100% funds under the scheme are provided by Central Government.

Explanation - It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a progressive neurological disorder that affects muscle movement. It can occur at any age but symptoms commonly develop between the age of 55 and 75. The men are more likely to develop the condition. Causes — In few people with ALS, a genetic cause can be identified. How does ALS affect the body? In people with ALS, the motor neurons degenerate and die and messages sent by the brain do not reach the muscles which results into muscles atrophy (lose strength and become weak). Eventually, the brain loses control over voluntary movements including walking, chewing and even breathing, as the condition progresses. Symptoms and progression of ALS — It includes muscle twitches in the arms, leg, shoulders or tongue; muscle cramps; Tightness or stiffness of muscles; muscle weakness in a limb or the neck; and difficulty in chewing or swallowing. Treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — There is no treatment to reverse nerve degeneration, but some therapy may help to delay progression. A treatment would include physical, occupational and speech therapy to improve quality of life.