Which institution conferred the Best Performance Award for the years 2015 16 and 2016 17 on Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank KVGB for its outstanding work in credit linking joint liability groups JLGs

Introduction / Context:
Joint liability groups JLGs are small groups of borrowers mainly farmers or rural entrepreneurs who come together to avail bank credit collectively. Institutions that promote rural development and agriculture often recognise banks that perform well in creating and financing such groups. Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank KVGB received a Best Performance Award for this work and this question asks which institution conferred that award.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The award is titled Best Performance Award.
• It covers two years 2015 16 and 2016 17.
• The recipient bank is Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank KVGB.
• The award is for performance in credit linking joint liability groups JLGs.
• The options include RBI RRB NABARD and SBI.

Concept / Approach:
The main conceptual clue is the type of activity being recognised rural credit and JLGs. Among the listed options National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NABARD is the apex development bank that focuses on rural credit self help groups and financial inclusion. Therefore it is the most logical body to confer such an award to a regional rural bank for work with JLGs.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Associate joint liability groups with rural development and agricultural finance. Step 2: Recall that NABARD is the apex development bank in India dedicated to agriculture and rural development. Step 3: News reports mentioned that NABARD honoured KVGB with Best Performance Award for promoting and financing JLGs for two consecutive years. Step 4: Compare this with the options where NABARD appears as option C. Step 5: Therefore choose NABARD as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
As an alternative verification think about the roles of the other organisations. RBI is the central bank and regulator and does not usually give such performance awards for JLGs. SBI is a commercial bank and would not normally award another bank in this way. The option RRB refers generically to regional rural banks rather than a specific apex institution. Only NABARD fits both the development orientation and the authority to evaluate and reward rural credit achievements.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
RBI focuses on monetary policy regulation and supervision rather than awarding JLG performance of regional rural banks. RRB is not a single institution but a category of banks so it cannot confer such an award. SBI is itself a commercial bank and although it may partner with others it is not the body that formally assesses all JLG programmes across regional rural banks.

Common Pitfalls:
One pitfall is to choose RBI because many candidates associate any banking related recognition with the central bank. Another error is misunderstanding the abbreviation NABARD and underestimating its central role in rural credit. When you see terms such as self help groups SHGs JLGs or rural development it is usually a strong hint towards NABARD.

Final Answer:
The Best Performance Award for KVGB work in credit linking joint liability groups was conferred by NABARD.