Which public sector bank has tied up with Tirumala Milk Products to provide dedicated loans to associated dairy farmers?

Introduction / Context:
This question covers banking current affairs related to agriculture and dairy finance. It asks about a tie up between a milk products company, Tirumala Milk Products, and a public sector bank for providing loans to dairy farmers. Such partnerships are important because they combine the reach of banks with the supply chain of agribusiness companies, helping farmers gain better access to credit. Competitive exams in banking and general awareness often test knowledge of recent memoranda of understanding and special schemes launched for farmers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Tirumala Milk Products is the dairy company mentioned.
• The partnership is for providing loans to dairy farmers linked with this company.
• The options list Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank Of India, and HDFC Bank.
• The question specifically says public sector bank, so private banks can be screened out.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is to recognise which of the options is a public sector bank and which bank was mentioned in news for this particular collaboration. State Bank Of India is the largest public sector bank in India and often enters into such agreements. Axis Bank and HDFC Bank are private sector banks, while ICICI Bank is also a major private sector player. Therefore, by combining knowledge of ownership with recall of the news item, the correct answer can be identified.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify all public sector and private sector banks in the options. Among the given choices, State Bank Of India is a public sector bank, while Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank are private sector banks.Step 2: Recall that the news about Tirumala Milk Products involved a tie up with a major public sector bank to finance dairy farmers attached to the company supply chain.Step 3: Because the question itself hints at a public sector bank and because SBI is commonly involved in agricultural finance initiatives, focus on State Bank Of India as the likely answer.Step 4: Confirm from memory that the cooperation was indeed between Tirumala Milk Products and State Bank Of India.Step 5: Select State Bank Of India as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify using elimination. If one mistakenly thinks of ICICI Bank or HDFC Bank, they should notice that the question mentions a public sector bank in the description and background of this type of tie up, while those banks are not public sector entities. This leaves State Bank Of India as the most realistic and correct option. Moreover, SBI often announces customised schemes for farmers in partnership with co operatives and private companies in agriculture and dairy, which matches the pattern of this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Axis Bank: A private sector bank and not the one associated with the specific Tirumala Milk Products tie up mentioned in the question.
• ICICI Bank: Also a private sector bank and not reported as the partner in this dairy farmer loan scheme.
• HDFC Bank: Another private sector bank without the particular collaboration described here.

Common Pitfalls:
One common pitfall is forgetting which banks are public sector and which are private, leading to confusion. Another is mixing up different partnership news items, since many banks tie up with various companies or co operatives. To avoid errors, aspirants should make a clear list of recent bank collaborations and categorise them by sector and purpose, such as agriculture, digital payments, or insurance.

Final Answer:
The bank that tied up with Tirumala Milk Products to provide loans to dairy farmers is State Bank Of India.