UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I: Which of the following statements about M1xchange's role in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises…
Which of the following statements about M1xchange's role in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) financing is/are correct ?
- 1. M1xchange provides collateral based loans to MSMEs.
- 2. M1xchange facilitates discounting of invoices and Bills of Exchange for MSMEs.
- 3. M1xchange functions as a credit rating agency for MSMEs.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Answer (b) & explanation
Only statement 2 is correct (b). Statement 2 is right: M1xchange is an RBI-licensed TReDS platform (Trade Receivables Discounting System) where an MSME's invoices and bills of exchange are discounted. Statement 1 is wrong: it does not give collateral-based loans; financing is without collateral, backed by the big buyer's credit. Statement 3 is wrong: it is not a credit rating agency. So options (a), (c) and (d) fail.
Notice how TReDS works: an MSME uploads an invoice raised on a large buyer, and banks bid to discount it, so the MSME gets cash fast. The other platforms are RXIL and Invoicemart. Companies with turnover above ₹250 crore and CPSEs must join TReDS, easing delayed payments to MSMEs.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
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Related questions from other years
Which one of the following correctly represents the three key sub-indices of the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ?
Answer (c) & explanation
The sub-indices are Access, Usage and Quality (c). The RBI launched the FI-Index in August 2021. It covers banking, investments, insurance, postal services and pension, and gives one value between 0 and 100. Its three parameters are Access (35%), Usage (45%) and Quality (20%). Options (a), (b) and (d) list areas or ideas that are not its sub-indices; GDP contribution and affordability are not parameters.
Notice the logic: usage has the most weight, because an account that is never used does not mean real inclusion. Quality includes financial literacy and consumer protection. The index is published every July, and it has risen steadily, helped by Jan Dhan (2014) and UPI.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India's 'Open Network for Digital Commerce' (ONDC) initiative ?
Answer (c) & explanation
ONDC aims to break the dominance of large platforms (c). The Open Network for Digital Commerce, a DPIIT initiative (2021-22), is an open set of rules, like UPI for shopping. A buyer on one app can buy from a seller listed on another app. This interoperability lets small sellers reach buyers without joining a giant platform. Option (a) is wrong: it does not give the government control of transactions. Option (b) is wrong: private players can join; they are not replaced. Option (d) is wrong: it does not force UPI payments.
Notice ONDC's design: it is a not-for-profit company and part of India's Digital Public Infrastructure, along with Aadhaar, UPI and DigiLocker. It now covers food, groceries and mobility too.
options (a), (b) and (d) use strong words: "all", "replace", "mandate". A public digital platform usually opens a market; it does not take it over.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is not correct ?
Answer (d) & explanation
Statement (d) is not correct (d). Under UPI, money moves between bank accounts; the deposit is a liability of the bank. The Digital Rupee (e₹) is like a currency note in digital form, a direct liability of the RBI, not of users or banks. Option (a) is correct: UPI is a payment system, while the e-rupee is sovereign currency. Option (b) is correct: an e-rupee transfer moves value from wallet to wallet with no separate settlement. Option (c) is correct: e-rupee wallet transactions do not appear in bank statements.
Notice the legal base: the RBI Act was amended in 2022 to let the RBI issue a CBDC. Pilots began that year in wholesale (e₹-W) and retail (e₹-R) forms.
a "not correct" question. Look for the statement that puts the RBI's liability on someone else.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Which of the following statements about Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are correct ?
- 1. Tokenization is the process of turning real world assets into digital tokens using blockchain technology.
- 2. Tokenization of real world assets offers 24x7 access, promoting financial inclusion.
- 3. Tokenization of real world assets will allow the access to high growth investment opportunities for individuals in India.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Answer (a) & explanation
All three statements are correct (a). Statement 1 is right: tokenization turns a real asset, like a building, bond or gold, into digital tokens recorded on a blockchain. Statement 2 is right: tokens can be traded 24x7, which widens financial inclusion. Statement 3 is right: small, fractional tokens let ordinary individuals get into high-growth investments that once needed crores. So options (b), (c) and (d) fail.
Notice the risks: unclear regulation, cyber threats and weak investor protection. In India, related steps include Fractional Ownership Platforms and REITs and InvITs, which already let small investors own slices of real estate and infrastructure. The RBI is also testing tokenized deposits and government securities in sandbox pilots.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
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