State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 05 Nov 2025

Digital KCC Platform by UP Gramin Bank

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank (UPGB) has announced that farmers will soon be able to access an entirely digital procedure to obtain the Kisan Credit Card (KCC). 

Key Points

• About: The new facility, which will operate through the bank’s mobile application, is designed to make the process faster and more transparent. 
  • Using an integrated e-KYC platform, farmers will be able to complete document verification and receive their KCCs digitally without visiting a branch.
  • The e-KYC service will soon be launched on the UPGB M Tarang mobile app.
• Objective: This initiative aims to expand credit access for farmers while strengthening the bank’s digital ecosystem. 
• About Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank:
  • The Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank was formed in May 2025 after the amalgamation of three regional rural banks—Aryavart Bank, Baroda UP Bank, and Prathama UP Gramin Bank. 
  • The merger created a centralised entity aimed at strengthening the lending and financial-service network in rural and semi-urban areas of the state.
  • The consolidated institution has been focusing on enhancing rural credit penetration, modernising operations, and improving financial sustainability.
  • Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank currently serves about eight crore customers across the state and manages a total business portfolio of ₹2.18 lakh crore.
• Digital and Financial Inclusion Initiatives:
  • To promote financial inclusion, the bank will expand technology-based services such as mobile banking, UPI payments, and internet banking to farmers, small traders, and women’s self-help groups across rural areas.
  • Customers will also be able to upload and submit required documents digitally through the UPGB M Tarang app for different banking products, including KCCs and micro-loans.

Kisan Credit Card 

• The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme, launched in 1998, aims to provide farmers with adequate and timely credit through a simple and flexible loan mechanism to meet their agricultural, ancillary, and contingency expenditure needs.
• In 2004, this scheme was extended to meet the investment credit requirement of farmers for allied and non-agricultural activities. 
• In Budget 2018-19, the Government announced expansion of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to help fisheries and livestock farmers meet their working capital needs. 

137 Indian Institutions in QS Rankings Asia 2026

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the record increase in Indian universities in the QS rankings, reiterating the government’s commitment to quality education, research, and innovation.

• Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is a London-based global higher education analyst best known for its widely recognised QS World University Rankings. 

Key Points

• About: The QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 reveals that no Indian university is in the top 50, but India added 137 universities, marking a 1,125% increase in representation since 2016.
  • India now has 294 universities in the QS Asia Rankings, making it the second highest after China, which added 261 universities, bringing its total to 395.
  • Indian institutions continue to perform strongly in academic reputation, research productivity, and employer reputation, but lag behind in internationalisation and research visibility.
• Top Performers in Asia:
  • University of Hong Kong: Ranked 1st.
  • Peking University: Ranked 2nd.
  • National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU): Ranked 3rd (tied).
• Top Indian Institutions:
  • IIT Delhi: 59th (down from 44th in 2025).
  • IIT Bombay: 71st (down from 48th in 2025).
  • IISc Bengaluru: 64th (down from 62nd in 2025).
  • IIT Madras: 70th (down from 56th in 2025).
  • IIT Kanpur: 77th (down from 67th in 2025).
  • Delhi University: 95th (down from 81st in 2025).
• Private Institutions’ Growth:
  • Chandigarh University improved to 109th (from 120th in 2025).
  • BITS Pilani, Shoolini University, and O.P. Jindal Global University also achieved their highest-ever rankings.

Amul Ranked 1st Among World’s Top Cooperatives

Why in News?

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, congratulated Amul and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) for securing the 1st and 2nd ranks among the top ten cooperatives globally, according to the ICA World Cooperative Monitor 2025 report.

• This milestone was recognized during the ICA CM50 Conference held in Doha, Qatar.

Key Points

• The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), in collaboration with the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises (EURICSE), released the 2025 edition of the World Cooperative Monitor (WCM), marking the UN International Year of Cooperatives.
• The 13th edition of the WCM provides a comprehensive overview of the global cooperative sector, showcasing cooperatives' contributions to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economies worldwide.
• The 2025 report features the Top 300 cooperatives, highlighting their economic impact across sectors like agriculture, finance, health, energy, and education, with a combined turnover of USD 2.79 trillion in 2023.
  • By turnover relative to GDP per capita, India’s Amul and IFFCO top the global list, highlighting the strength of cooperatives in emerging economies. 
  • This ranking underscores the strength and potential of India’s cooperative sector in driving economic empowerment and growth.

About Amul (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd)

• Amul was established in 1946 as the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Limited in Anand, Gujarat, founded by Tribhuvandas Patel with support from Morarji Desai and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• In 1950, the cooperative launched the Amul brand, and it has since grown to become India’s largest food product marketing organisation with an annual turnover of USD 7.3 billion (2023-24).

About IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative)

• IFFCO was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in New Delhi. It manufactures and markets fertilisers to Indian farmers.
• As one of the world’s largest cooperatives, IFFCO operates with 35,000 member cooperatives, reaching over 50 million farmers across India.