RAS question
How many bank branches are operational in Rajasthan up to September 2024?
Correct answer: (C) 8,531.
Up to September 2024, Rajasthan had 8,531 operational bank branches.
Explanation
Rajasthan Economic Review 2024-25 states that the banking sector had 8,531 bank branches operational in the state up to September 2024. This is not a rounded estimate: the category-wise break-up comprises 4,271 public sector bank branches, 1,593 regional rural bank branches, 2,093 private sector bank branches, 564 small finance bank branches, 7 foreign bank branches and 3 payment bank branches. These categories add up to 8,531, so option C is correct.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) 6,531 is 2,000 below the official total of 8,531; public sector banks alone account for 4,271 branches before the other categories are added.
- (B) 7,531 is 1,000 below the official total and does not match the sum of public sector, regional rural, private sector, small finance, foreign and payment bank branches.
- (D) 10,531 is 2,000 above the official total of 8,531 bank branches in Rajasthan up to September 2024.
Concept
This question tests Rajasthan economy data from the banking and financial infrastructure section. Such figures recur in RAS because the state's official Economic Review uses them to describe inclusive growth, access to credit and public finance.