डिजिटल रुपया (e₹): RBI ने ऑफलाइन लेनदेन सुविधा शुरू की

Q1. What is the primary benefit of the newly introduced offline transaction facility for the digital rupee (e₹)?

1. It allows for international transactions without currency conversion.
2. It enables transactions in areas with limited or no internet connectivity.
3. It offers higher interest rates compared to traditional savings accounts.
4. It guarantees a fixed exchange rate against major global currencies.

Explanation: The offline transaction facility is specifically designed to allow users to make digital payments even when they do not have access to the internet. This is crucial for improving accessibility in remote or network-challenged regions.

Q2. Which type of mobile phones is the offline digital rupee (e₹) facility designed to be compatible with?

1. Only high-end smartphones with advanced processors.
2. Feature phones (non-smartphones) and smartphones.
3. Tablets and laptops only.
4. Smartwatches and wearable devices exclusively.

Explanation: A key objective of the offline feature is to extend the reach of the digital rupee to a wider population, including those who may not own smartphones. Therefore, it is designed to work on feature phones as well as smartphones.

Q3. When did the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) initially launch the pilot project for the digital rupee (e₹)?

1. May 2026
2. November 2022
3. January 2023
4. September 2021

Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) commenced the pilot project for the digital rupee (e₹) in November 2022, involving select banks and users to test its functionalities and infrastructure.

Q4. What is a key characteristic of offline digital rupee (e₹) transactions in terms of security and privacy?

1. They are recorded on a public, immutable ledger accessible to all.
2. They utilize a centralized database managed solely by the RBI.
3. They are token-based, ensuring a degree of anonymity and security.
4. They require biometric authentication for every transaction.

Explanation: Offline transactions for the digital rupee are designed to be token-based. This approach helps in maintaining user privacy and enhances security by decoupling the transaction from the user's identity directly during the offline phase.

Q5. The introduction of the offline digital rupee (e₹) facility is expected to significantly impact which of the following areas in India?

1. Increase the circulation of physical cash.
2. Worsen the digital divide between urban and rural populations.
3. Reduce reliance on physical cash and promote financial inclusion.
4. Replace the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) entirely.

Explanation: By enabling digital transactions without internet dependency, the offline e₹ aims to reduce the reliance on physical cash, especially in areas with poor connectivity, thereby promoting greater financial inclusion and making digital payments more accessible to all segments of society.