Reading Comprehension Questions for SBI PO

Quantum computing represents one of the most consequential technological frontiers of the twenty-first century, promising to solve problems that would take classical computers millions of years to process. Unlike classical bits that exist in binary states of 0 or 1, quantum bits—or qubits—exploit the principles of superposition and entanglement to represent and manipulate vast combinations of states simultaneously. This property gives quantum computers an exponential advantage for specific problem classes, including cryptography, drug discovery, materials science, and complex optimization tasks. Major technology firms, national governments, and defence agencies are investing billions into quantum research, recognizing both its transformative potential and its national security implications. A functional large-scale quantum computer could, in theory, break most current encryption protocols that secure global financial transactions and communications, making the race to quantum supremacy also a race to develop quantum-resistant cryptography. However, quantum computing remains in its nascent stage. Current quantum processors are error-prone, require extreme cooling to near absolute zero temperatures, and can sustain coherent quantum states for only fractions of a second—a limitation called decoherence. Experts believe fault-tolerant, commercially viable quantum computers capable of outperforming classical computers on practical tasks are still years, if not decades, away. What does the word 'decoherence' mean as used in the passage?

India's banking sector has undergone a profound structural transformation over the past two decades, shifting from a predominantly state-owned, branch-intensive model toward a digitally integrated, diversified ecosystem. The introduction of payment banks, small finance banks, and account aggregators has progressively democratized financial access, allowing previously unbanked populations to participate in formal savings, credit, and insurance markets. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has played a pivotal role in this evolution—calibrating regulatory frameworks to encourage innovation while preventing systemic risk. The Jan Dhan Yojana scheme, launched in 2014, opened over 500 million bank accounts within a decade, with a significant proportion belonging to women and rural households. Yet, deepening financial inclusion has not translated uniformly into financial health. Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) remain a persistent concern, particularly in public sector banks that expanded credit aggressively during infrastructure booms. Recapitalization drives and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) have provided partial relief, but corporate governance deficiencies continue to pose risks. Meanwhile, the rise of fintech platforms introduces new competitive dynamics and consumer risks, including data privacy vulnerabilities and algorithmic lending biases. The challenge for Indian banking in the coming decade is not merely expanding access but ensuring that expanded access is accompanied by adequate consumer protection, financial literacy, and prudential oversight. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the Jan Dhan Yojana scheme?

The global transition toward renewable energy sources has accelerated dramatically over the past decade, driven by plummeting costs, technological breakthroughs, and mounting climate urgency. Solar photovoltaic costs have fallen by nearly 90 percent since 2010, making solar the cheapest source of electricity in history in many regions. Wind energy has witnessed a parallel decline in costs, and offshore wind farms are now being developed at unprecedented scales across Europe and Asia. Despite this progress, the transition faces a formidable structural challenge: energy storage. Renewable sources are inherently intermittent—the sun does not always shine, nor does the wind always blow—and existing battery technologies cannot yet store electricity at the scale and duration required to fully replace fossil-fuel baseload power. Grid-scale storage solutions, including pumped hydro, compressed air, and next-generation solid-state batteries, are advancing but remain costly. Simultaneously, the rapid expansion of renewables demands a massive upgrade of electricity transmission grids, which in many countries are decades old and poorly configured for distributed generation. Policymakers face the dual imperative of accelerating deployment while ensuring grid stability and energy security. A poorly managed transition risks blackouts, price spikes, and public backlash that could slow progress just when it is most needed. Which of the following best describes the author's tone throughout the passage?

The Reserve Bank of India has, over the decades, evolved from a simple monetary authority into a multifaceted institution that not only regulates the money supply but also oversees the health of commercial banks, manages foreign exchange reserves, and acts as the government's banker. One of the most critical functions it performs is inflation targeting, which was formally adopted under a flexible inflation targeting framework in 2016. Under this framework, the Monetary Policy Committee, a six-member body comprising representatives from the RBI and the central government, is mandated to maintain retail inflation at 4 percent with a tolerance band of plus or minus 2 percent. Critics argue that the RBI's dual mandate of supporting growth while containing inflation often creates an inherent tension, making it difficult for policymakers to strike the right balance. Proponents, however, contend that a credible and transparent inflation target anchors expectations, reduces uncertainty for businesses and investors, and ultimately supports sustainable long-term growth. The RBI also plays a developmental role by promoting financial inclusion, strengthening the payments ecosystem, and supporting priority-sector lending norms that direct credit toward agriculture, small enterprises, and weaker sections of society. What is the PRIMARY purpose of the flexible inflation targeting framework adopted by the RBI in 2016?

Digital public infrastructure (DPI) has emerged as a transformative force in reshaping how governments deliver services to citizens. India's experience with its Aadhaar-based identity system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and the CoWIN vaccination platform demonstrated that well-designed DPI could leapfrog traditional bureaucratic bottlenecks and reach populations previously excluded from formal systems. Unlike proprietary platforms controlled by private corporations, DPI is built on open standards, allowing interoperability across institutions and sectors. This openness enables small fintech startups to compete on equal footing with established banks, fostering innovation while reducing systemic monopoly risks. However, critics caution that DPI without robust data-protection frameworks can become an instrument of mass surveillance, undermining the very inclusion it promises. They argue that marginalized communities—those with limited digital literacy or unreliable internet access—risk being further disadvantaged when essential services are gated behind digital interfaces. Proponents counter that offline fallbacks and assisted-digital models can mitigate these exclusions. The global interest in India's DPI stack, particularly from developing nations seeking to modernize governance cheaply, underscores its potential. Yet, the ultimate test lies in whether DPI can sustain trust, ensure equitable access, and protect individual rights simultaneously. What is the central argument presented by critics of Digital Public Infrastructure as discussed in the passage?