Which bank launched the turnaround initiative called Project Nishchay in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to improve its financial performance?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the area of banking awareness and corporate restructuring initiatives. Many Indian banks have launched special programmes and projects to strengthen their balance sheets, manage non-performing assets, and improve efficiency. Project Nishchay is one such notable initiative launched in collaboration with the consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Knowing which bank undertook this project helps you track important reforms in the banking sector.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• There is a turnaround programme called Project Nishchay.
• The project aims to accelerate a bank's turnaround and improve financial performance.
• It was launched in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
• Options: HDFC Bank, IDBI Bank, HSBC, State Bank of India.

Concept / Approach:
Project Nishchay is associated with IDBI Bank, which historically struggled with a high level of stressed assets and needed a structured turnaround strategy. The bank enlisted BCG's help to design and implement a comprehensive plan covering business processes, risk management, and operational efficiencies. Recognising IDBI Bank as the institution linked with Project Nishchay is a key piece of current affairs knowledge for banking exams.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall which Indian bank has been in the news for a high percentage of non-performing assets and hence needed a major turnaround programme. Step 2: Remember that Project Nishchay was explicitly mentioned in news reports as a collaboration between IDBI Bank and BCG. Step 3: Check the options: HDFC Bank and State Bank of India are strong performers and were not the primary banks associated with this specific project. Step 4: HSBC is a global bank and has its own restructuring plans but is not known to have launched Project Nishchay with BCG in the context of Indian banking reforms. Step 5: This leaves IDBI Bank as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
One way to verify is to mentally connect the word "Nishchay" with the notion of determination and a bank needing firm resolve to improve its financial health. IDBI Bank's recapitalisation discussions, government stake, and strategic reform plans were widely covered in Indian financial media alongside references to Project Nishchay, making this link easy to recall with practice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• HDFC Bank: A consistently profitable private sector bank, it has not been linked with Project Nishchay in collaboration with BCG.
• HSBC: A multinational bank headquartered outside India, not the subject of this particular Indian turnaround initiative.
• State Bank of India: While SBI has undertaken various internal reforms and mergers, the specific branding of Project Nishchay with BCG is associated with IDBI Bank.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to associate any major project with the largest or most well-known banks like SBI or HDFC Bank without carefully remembering the exact news reports. Another pitfall is confusing Project Nishchay with other bank-specific initiatives that may have similar Hindi names. To avoid this, it helps to create a concise list of bank projects and match them with the correct institutions during revision.

Final Answer:
The turnaround initiative Project Nishchay, launched in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), was started by IDBI Bank.