Which bank received the Rajbhasha Kirti Award for outstanding performance in implementing the Official Language Policy in 2017 to 2018?

Introduction / Context:
The Rajbhasha Kirti Award is a prestigious recognition given by the Government of India for excellence in the implementation of the Official Language Policy, especially the promotion and effective use of Hindi in official work. Banks and public sector institutions often feature in such awards. This question asks which bank received this honour for outstanding performance during the year 2017 to 2018.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The award is specifically the Rajbhasha Kirti Award. - The time period is 2017 to 2018. - The options list major Indian banks from the public sector space. - Only one of these banks was singled out for outstanding implementation of the Official Language Policy in that period. - We assume the official Rajbhasha awards list and related government releases as reference.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to recall which bank was repeatedly mentioned in current affairs summaries as the Rajbhasha Kirti Award recipient for that year. In many such summaries, Punjab National Bank is highlighted for winning the Hindi implementation award for outstanding work in promoting Hindi as the official language in its operations. The other banks listed are important but did not receive this specific recognition during 2017 to 2018.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Review the list of banks provided in the options and note that all five are well known public sector banks. Step 2: Recall that current affairs notes on official language awards mentioned Punjab National Bank as a recipient of the Rajbhasha Kirti Award for the period 2017 to 2018. Step 3: Recognise that Union Bank of India, Indian Bank, State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda have each received different awards and recognitions, but not this specific one in that year. Step 4: Since the question asks for the bank that bagged the Hindi implementation award for outstanding performance, and Punjab National Bank is the only one linked to that description, it must be the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
As a cross check, one can think of the context in which this question often appears. Many exam oriented magazines and monthly digests include a one line note that Punjab National Bank received the Rajbhasha Kirti Award for improving and promoting Hindi usage in official business. No similar line is regularly associated with the other banks for the same year. This consistent pattern across prep material confirms that Punjab National Bank is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Union Bank of India) is wrong because, although it is an important bank, it was not the one highlighted for this award in 2017 to 2018. Option B (Indian Bank) is wrong because it did not receive this particular Rajbhasha Kirti Award for that year. Option D (State Bank of India) is wrong since it is often associated with other rankings and awards, but not with this specific Hindi implementation award for 2017 to 2018. Option E (Bank of Baroda) is wrong because it is not recorded as the Rajbhasha Kirti Award winner in the period mentioned.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students simply guess a very large bank such as State Bank of India on the assumption that size and presence guarantee awards, which is not always true. Others may confuse similar sounding awards like Rajbhasha Gaurav or departmental prizes. Another pitfall is not paying attention to the exact year and relying on scattered memory of different years. To avoid these errors, one should maintain a short list of important language and banking awards year wise.

Final Answer:
For the year 2017 to 2018, the Rajbhasha Kirti Award for outstanding implementation of the Official Language Policy went to Punjab National Bank.